INAC Announces $4 Million for Healing and Reconciliation

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OTTAWA, ONTARIO

(February 15, 2011)

The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, today announced that the Advocacy and Public Information Program (APIP) will allocate $4 million in 2011-2012. This brings the total amount of funds committed for APIP to $22 million over five years.

The APIP encourages partnerships between Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Aboriginal communities to ensure that an exchange of information and dialogue on the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement occurs at the national, regional and community levels.

“Supporting healing and reconciliation continues to be a priority of this Government. This new funding will continue the important work of increasing awareness of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement among former students, and help Canadians gain a better understanding of the Agreement and the impact of the Indian Residential Schools legacy on Aboriginal Communities,” said Minister Duncan.

The goals of the 2011-2012 funding are to support healing and reconciliation with a particular focus on youth and inter-generational issues, promote a better understanding of the impacts of the legacy of Indian Residential Schools, and build new partnerships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. A call for proposals for this funding has been posted on INAC's website; the deadline for submitting proposals is March 14, 2011.

APIP partners will also continue to use existing networks to disseminate information about the components of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, such as the Common Experience Payment (CEP) and Independent Assessment Process (IAP).

Information on the Advocacy and Public Information Program and on previously funded projects can be found on INAC's website. www.inac.gc.ca

Backgrounder: Advocacy and Public Information Program

The Advocacy and Public Information Program (APIP) is a contribution funding program that encourages partnerships between Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Aboriginal organizations and communities to ensure that an exchange of information and dialogue on the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (Settlement Agreement) occurs at the national, regional and community levels. A particular focus is to ensure that former Indian Residential School (IRS) students and their families are aware of all aspects of the Settlement Agreement and its benefits and potential impacts.

APIP was launched in 2007-2008 with an information sharing and advocacy focus. APIP criteria are reviewed annually to ensure all efforts are being made to reach former IRS students to inform them of benefits available to them under the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. This includes those former students located in remote and isolated communities, mental health institutions, as well as those who are homeless or incarcerated. As well, APIP is focusing on the promotion of healing and reconciliation by helping Canadians to understand the Settlement Agreement and the impact that the legacy of Indian Residential Schools has had on Aboriginal communities.

Since 2007-2008, the total amount committed to APIP is $22 million. Up to 2010-2011, approximately $18 million of the allocated funds has been fully invested into 83 regional and national projects across Canada.
http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ai/rqpi/adynpip/lap-eng.asp