The Government of Canada supports Mi'gmaq immersion in Listuguj

LISTUGUJ, QC, Aug. 5, 2017 /CNW/ - During a return visit to the Listuguj community on the way to the annual pow-wow, Rémi Massé, Member of Parliament for Avignon?La Mitis?Matane?Matapédia, on behalf of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, announced investments of more than $1.7 million for infrastructure and education projects.

Funding announced today includes $320,000 over two years to support the Languages and Culture component of the New Paths for Education program. These investments will allow more students to access the Mi'gmaq immersion program.

Other investments will help to support community growth, including the development of a waste transfer site, the construction of a municipal garage and access road, and the installation of a roof over the outdoor skating rink.

Quotes

"These investments will give more community members access to education in Mi'gmaq, allowing them to strengthen their culture and walk proudly in both worlds. We are honoured to work with the community of Listuguj, in a true spirit of reconciliation, to celebrate your resilience and improve the quality of life for your residents."

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs

"Language is the expression of ways of thinking and of culture. Learning, preserving and teaching First Nations languages is a benefit for the outreach and development of their cultures. Furthermore, the development of infrastructure and community spaces energizes communities. The Government of Canada is proud to support the Mi'gmaq immersion program and invest in the Listuguj community facilities."

Rémi Massé
Member of Parliament for Avignon?La Mitis?Matane?Matapédia

"The Mi'gmaq language is something that is very important to the people of Listuguj. The loss of language has had residual impacts on our community and I am so happy to see the language being taught in our school along with our adult learners. The battle to restore our language is something we have been working on for many years and I am happy to say that with the help of the federal government we are one step closer to achieving our goal of a fluently Mi'gmaq speaking Listuguj. "

Chief Darcy Gray
Listuguj

Quick Facts

• For the New Paths for Education program, Budget 2016 provides significant new investments, including:
• $275 million over five years to support First Nations language and culture. This is intended to improve the effectiveness of classroom instruction through curriculum and language development.
• $30 million over five years to facilitate the implementation of the most recent innovations in First Nations education.
• $7.5 million over five years to support new research, measurement, assessment and knowledge transfer activities.
• The Listuguj community, which includes 4,021 members of which 2,061 are residents, is located 118 kilometers south-west of Bonaventure, on the north shore of the Ristigouche River.

Related Links

• New Paths for Education
• Budget 2016: A Better Future for Indigenous Peoples
• Budget 2016 Highlights ? Indigenous and Northern Investments

Stay connected
Follow us on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Flickr.

You can subscribe to receive our news releases and speeches via RSS feeds.
For more information or to subscribe, visit www.aandc.gc.ca/subscriptions.

SOURCE Government of Canada