First Nations seek clarification on status of $160 million in Aboriginal language funding (fwd)

[phil cash cash]

Sorry for the formatting...here is the URL:
http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/November2006/02/c8042.html
;-)
Phil
Quoting phil cash cash :

> FIRST NATIONS SEEK CLARIFICATION ON STATUS OF $160 MILLION IN ABORIGINAL
> LANGUAGE FUNDING
>
>       OTTAWA, Nov. 2 /CNW Telbec/ - Assembly of First Nations National Chief
> Phil Fontaine calls upon Heritage Minister Bev Oda to assure First Nations
> that $160 million in Aboriginal language funding will still be available for
> First Nations languages. In a conversation with the Minister, the National
> Chief was led to believe the funding is no longer on the table. Conflicting
> messages from officials at Canadian Heritage have created even more
> uncertainty.
>     "Preserving our languages, our way of life, is a sacred trust that must
> never be broken," said AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine. "We consider 
> the loss
> of any language funding as a direct attack on First Nations. Language is the
> very foundation of our cultures and traditions, and it is the key to our
> identity as First Nations peoples."
>     "Based on the 2002 allocation of $172.5 million, many First Nations
> communities have been preparing proposals and work plans so they can enhance
> their activities around preserving and teaching their languages and culture,"
> noted the National Chief. "We are, therefore, very surprised by the 
> Minister's
> comments."
>     "First Nations languages are indigenous to this country and they must be
> preserved to ensure that they can flourish for current and future
> generations," commented the National Chief. "Many of our people suffer from
> the intergenerational effects of the federal government's decades-long
> policies concerning residential schools. Studies by BC Professors Michael
> Chandler and Chris Lalonde have shown that where our languages and cultures
> are thriving, so are the communities. People are happier and healthier --
> there are few or no suicides.
>     "We sincerely hope that this "re-allocation" of $160 million in funding
> will result in even more than the original amount in order to further
> strengthen and preserve our languages," commented the National Chief. "From
> the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, a decade ago, to
> last year's First Ministers Meeting in Kelowna, to Conservative party policy,
> recommendations and commitments were made to preserving and teaching First
> Nations language for future generations. The federal government should
> demonstrate the honour of the Crown and fulfill its obligations to help
> preserve and revitalize First Nations languages and cultures. It is important
> to Canada's identity."
>
>    The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing
> First Nations citizens in Canada.
>
>   For further information: Bryan Hendry, A/Director of Communications,
> (613) 241-6789, ext. 229, Cell (613) 293-6106, bhendry at afn.ca

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