Government of Canada supports Project Venture, a youth crime prevention project in Clearwater River Dene Nation and La Loche, Saskatchewan

REGINA, July 25, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, at the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Annual General Meeting, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced that $2.2 million over 5 years has been made available under the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) for the Clearwater River Dene Nation Project Venture (CRDN Project Venture). This project will be carried out by the Clearwater River School and the La Loche Community School and will engage up to 450 high-risk Indigenous children and youth, and their families.

Project Venture is an evidence-based crime prevention program targeting youth who are exposed to at-risk behaviours and/or who are personally at risk for criminal behaviours or activities. Participants will be engaged in meaningful activities to prevent and reduce substance abuse, drug-related crime, and interpersonal violence. CRDN Project Venture will include adaptations specific to Indigenous cultural beliefs, traditions and values

Quotes

"I'm pleased to be a part of today's meeting with the AFN general assembly, and to see the multitude of Indigenous-led initiatives to improve communities from coast to coast to coast. The collaborative nature of the Clearwater River Dene Nation Project Venture is a prime example of communities working together to invest in Indigenous youth, and the Government of Canada is proud to support these efforts ."

– The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

"The communities of La Loche and the Clearwater River Dene Nation welcome the opportunity to implement the Clearwater Project Venture program.  The program is still in its' first year of delivery but the positive affect on our youth and community is already being realized.  To date, relationships and partnerships between all three schools and community leaders are being strengthened.  The youth themselves are being given opportunities to reconnect with the land, their culture and language and each other in a safe and caring environment.  The Project Venture Model is a comprehensive experiential education program that has a long successful history of helping indigenous youth become positive leaders in their communities.  It is also a proactive program that focuses on prevention and harm reduction. We have no doubt that this program will have similar results in our own communities."

- Greg Hatch, Chairperson, Clearwater Project Venture Advisory Committee

Quick Facts:

• Project Venture incorporates outdoor education, service learning, cultural teachings, health and wellness, as well as guidance to ensure the success of its candidates. All lessons and understanding are viewed through an Indigenous lens which considers traditional Dene values, beliefs and worldviews.
• There are four key components of Project Venture:
  • in-school and after-school curricula;
  • recreational and skill building activities;
  • community service learning; and,
  • peer leadership, counseling and/or support.
• Public Safety Canada is currently funding 25 crime prevention programs, with a total multi-year federal commitment of $73.4M, in Indigenous communities. These projects build on established crime prevention models and include youth crime prevention, leadership and resilience skills development, and bullying prevention.
• From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, the Government of Canada supported 91 community-based crime prevention projects across Canada.
• Up to $43 million has been committed in 2017-2018 to support NCPS projects in the implementation and evaluation of crime prevention programs.

Associated Links

National Crime Prevention Strategy

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For more information, please visit the website www.publicsafety.gc.ca.

SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

For further information: Scott Bardsley, Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, 613-998-5681; Media Relations, Public Safety Canada, 613-991-0657, [e-mail]

Related Links

www.publicsafety.gc.ca