 |
|
VICTORIA
– The Métis Nation
British Columbia and Métis Women’s Secretariat-BC will
receive over $137,500 in funding to support violence against women prevention
activities, which includes engaging Métis men and boys in prevention of
violence against women and girls, announced Ida Chong, Minister of Community
Services and Minister responsible for Seniors’ and Women’s Issues.
“This is the first
Métis-specific violence against women prevention initiative ever in B.C.,” said
Chong, during Prevention of Violence Against Women Week. “By engaging men and
boys, we can help create the change needed to stop violence against women and
girls. This project is an excellent example of this government’s continuing
commitment to a new relationship with First Nation and Aboriginal people, based
on respect, recognition and
reconciliation.”
The violence prevention initiative consists of
three components: an awareness campaign targeting Métis men and boys; a
Métis-specific violence prevention symposium; and the launch of the awareness
campaign, including education materials, with community consultation across the
province. The symposium is called
Sihtoskâtowin, a Michif/Cree word meaning “coming together in unity,” and is
the first of its kind in Canada. The symposium will take place in Richmond in
June 2008. Feedback from the community
consultations will be used to create permanent Métis Nation British Columbia
violence against Métis women and girls prevention programming.
“This project represents the beginning of Métis
Nation British Columbia's five-year plan to implement violence prevention
programming,” said Victoria Pruden, director of Women for the Métis Nation
British Columbia. “It will provide a voice for Métis women who have not had the
space to dialogue about family violence, acknowledge historic and present-day
violence in our communities, and address that violence through prevention
initiatives that are specifically for Métis people.”
“We need to start out gently,” said Elder
Phillip Gladue, Métis Nation British Columbia. “Our Nation has not yet begun to
bring these issues out into the light. We need to do this; we need to begin our
healing. By focusing on cultural and family values, we will get the people
involved.”
According to 2006 census, British Columbia is
home to the fourth largest Métis population in Canada with 15 per cent of the
total Métis population in the country and 30 per cent of the Aboriginal
population in B.C.
-30-
|
contact: |
Ministry of Community Services 250 387-4089 |
|
|
|
||
|
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
||
