Harper Government Invests in Aboriginal Families in the Brantford Area

BRANTFORD, Ontario, April 26, 2013 - Phil McColeman, Member of Parliament (Brant), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced a new investment in Hotinohsioni Inc. o/a Brantford Native Housing. The organization will provide domestic violence support for Aboriginal women and their families in the city of Brantford and Brant County.

“I am proud of our Government’s support for Aboriginal women and their families in Brantford and the County of Brant,” said Mr. McColeman. “This investment will provide the tools necessary to identify family violence and will help promote the development of skills and awareness to build a safer community.”

Brantford Native Housing is a non-profit organization that works to provide housing for local Aboriginal people. With this funding, Brantford Native Housing will produce a guide that will raise awareness about issues of family violence and will identify the appropriate culturally specific supports for Aboriginal women and their families.

“Our Government is pleased to support Aboriginal women and their families in Brantford and Brant County,” said Minister Moore. “With this investment, our Government is delivering on its commitment to build healthy communities and strengthen cultural identity.”

“The funding of the Government of Canada enables Brantford Native Housing to begin the development of our community-wide healing strategy to address the high rates of domestic violence in the Aboriginal community,” said Dr Andrew Trevor, President, Brantford Native Housing. “This investment has an impact in the lives of Aboriginal women and families experiencing violence in their lives in the city of Brantford and Brant County.”

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $40,000 in 2012–2013 through the Aboriginal Women’s Programming Elements of the Aboriginal People’s Program. This program of the Department of Canadian Heritage supports community projects that incorporate Aboriginal values, cultures, and traditional practices into community-driven activities designed to strengthen cultural identity and enable positive life choices. It includes a component to address issues affecting Aboriginal women and their families and strengthen their cultural identity and traditions. 

For more information (media only), please contact:

Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788

Jillian Lum
Manager of Regional Communications
Ontario Region
Canadian Heritage
416-973-2050
Jillian.lum@pch.gc.ca

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca