Urban Aboriginals - The Government of Quebec is proud to contribute to the inauguration of the new Maniwaki Native Friendship Centre

MANIWAKI, QC, Nov. 4, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Given the large number of Aboriginals who live in Maniwaki or the greater La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau area, or visit the area frequently, the Maniwaki Native Friendship has been created to respond to the needs outlined in a document entitled Évaluation des besoins des Autochtones dans la ville de Maniwaki, which was published by a task force in 2016.  Mr. Geoffrey Kelley, Minister responsible for Native Affairs, and Ms. Stéphanie Vallée, MNA for Gatineau, Minister of Justice and Minister responsible for the Outaouais region, participated in today's inauguration ceremonies for this much-needed facility.

The Secrétariat aux Affaires autochtones will contribute $100,000, under the auspices of Phase II of the Aboriginal Initiatives Fund, to support the implementation and operation of the Centre for the 2016–2017 fiscal year.

"I am proud to see this new Native Friendship Centre take shape.  It is yet another mechanism by which the Government of Quebec seeks to respond to the increasing needs that are emerging as a result of Aboriginal migration to urban settings. In this welcoming environment, Aboriginals in need can obtain culturally appropriate services as well as support for what represents a major life change for many. Our government will continue to support its community partners, like the Native Friendship Centre of Maniwaki, because they play an indispensable role in our society," said Minister Kelley.

Just a few weeks ago, the Government of Quebec launched the new Urban Aboriginal Support Program, which will allocate a budget of $5 million over a five-year period to the task of improving direct services offered to First Nations and Inuit people in urban areas, as well as $3.9 million over four years to renew and strengthen the infrastructures of community organizations serving this clientele. This adds to the amounts disbursed under Phase II of the Aboriginal Initiatives Fund.

"Since Maniwaki and upper Gatineau are home to a large number of Aboriginal people, creating a new Native Friendship Centre had become essential. I am happy to learn that Aboriginals who live in or visit Maniwaki now have a place where they can gather, be listened to and obtain the resources they need. I am very proud of the support provided by the Government of Quebec and the initiative led by my colleague, the Minister responsible for Native Affairs," stated Ms. Stéphanie Vallée, MNA for Gatineau, Minister of Justice and Minister responsible for the Outaouais region.

Native Friendship Centres are non-profit organizations that provide culturally adapted services to Aboriginals living in or visiting urban areas. They serve as centres for learning and individual empowerment, in addition to promoting better public understanding of the realities of the Aboriginal experience in Quebec's urban areas.

About Phase II of the Aboriginal Initiatives Fund 
The main objective of Phase II of the Aboriginal Initiatives Fund is to support Aboriginal social, economic and community development. The fund is made up of five different budgets for economic development, loan guarantees, the development of community infrastructure, community mobilization, and consultation. Its management has been entrusted to the Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones of the Government of Quebec.

Sources:	Chantal Gauvin	Isabelle Marier St-Onge
	Press Attachée	Press Attachée
	Office of the Minister responsible	Office of the Minister of Justice
	for Native Affairs	and Minister responsible for the Outaouais region
	418 643-3166	418 643-4210

SOURCE Cabinet du ministre responsable des Affaires autochtones

Chantal Gauvin, Press Attachée, Office of the Minister responsible for Native Affairs, 418 643-3166; Isabelle Marier St-Onge, Press Attachée, Office of the Minister of Justice and Minister responsible for the Outaouais region, 418 643-4210