Pubdate: Wed, 17 Jan 2007
Source: First Perspective (CN MB)
Copyright: 2007 Taiga Communications Inc.
Contact:  http://www.firstperspective.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4250
Author: Joseph Quesnel

QUEBEC MOHAWK COMMUNITIES TARGETED FOR CRIME-PREVENTION
FUNDING

The federal government will be working to tackle crime issues in 
several Mohawk communities in Quebec, after recent allegations of 
spending issues with policing.

Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, today announced a total of 
$356,550 in funding to support two crime prevention community-based 
projects, one for the community of Wendake and the other for First 
Nation communities in Quebec.

"Canada's New Government is providing support to Quebec's youth at 
risk and helping to prevent them from committing crimes or joining 
gangs," said Minister Day. "These projects will support Quebec's 
Aboriginal communities, such as Wendake, and encourage Aboriginal 
youth to make positive and healthy life choices," he added.

"I am grateful to the aboriginal organizations from my constituency 
who work together with the federal government to help prevent 
criminal activities in the Quebec Region. It is with this kind of 
partnership that we will be able to build a more equitable and secure 
society", said the Honourable Josee Verner, Minister of International 
Cooperation, Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages, and 
Minister responsible for the Quebec Region.

The Conseil en education des Premieres Nations du Quebec is receiving 
$100,000 for its Nutapinanu project, which is aimed at strengthening 
sustainable community action to support the prevention of violence 
and substance abuse. It will raise awareness among Aboriginal 
adolescents with regard to staying in school by providing examples of 
positive role models.

The project will give young people the opportunity to participate in 
the production of a series of thirteen television programs. The 
half-hour shows will be lead by two aboriginal youth and filmed in 
six communities. It will be broadcast on the Aboriginal Peoples 
Television Network and on the Canal Savoir.

Similarly, the Centre de sante Marie-Paule-Sioui-Vincent is receiving 
$256,550 for its Parentochtone project, which is aimed at maintaining 
and helping develop parenting skills in order to prevent juvenile 
delinquency, crime and victimization in Aboriginal families in the 
Wendake community. Studies have shown a strong correlation between 
neglect, abuse, poor parental skills and teen drug use. Often, the 
first step toward delinquency and criminal behaviour is teen drug use.

Today's event follows a $10 million crime prevention announcement 
made on November 6, 2006 to support community-based crime prevention 
initiatives in Quebec that address crime and street gang issues, 
through the National Crime Prevention Centre. Canada's New Government 
is getting things done for Quebec by increasing community action to 
prevent crime, develop and share knowledge of effective crime 
prevention strategies, and coordinate multi-level support for crime prevention.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine