October 30, 2009

ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS MINISTERS TO PURSUE NATIONAL, CO-ORDINATED EFFORT ON MISSING, MURDERED WOMEN: ROBINSON– – –New Working Group will also Address Education, Economic Development

In Toronto today, Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport Minister Eric Robinson, acting minister of Aboriginal and northern affairs, wrapped up meetings with his federal and provincial counterparts, as well as leaders of five national Aboriginal organizations, with a unanimous commitment to pursue a co-ordinated national effort against the exploitation of Aboriginal women.

“The national tragedy of our stolen sisters knows no provincial boundaries and urgently requires a national strategy,” said Robinson. “I am pleased my colleagues from coast to coast to coast have agreed with me by adding this issue to the agenda of the next meeting of our working group in April 2010.”

In addition, ministers and leaders agreed to concentrate on the priority areas of Aboriginal education, skills training and economic development at future meetings.

“My predecessor, the late Oscar Lathlin, firmly believed that education and training are the key to future prosperity of Aboriginal people,” said Robinson. “I couldn’t agree more, and this commitment from our national, provincial and Aboriginal partners sends a strong message that these issues so vital to the economic growth of our province require the attention of all levels of government.”

This week was the first time in four years representatives of all senior levels of government and national Aboriginal organizations have met to set priorities.