August 23, 2000

Programs that encourage inner-city Aboriginal children, youth and families to participate in sports are receiving funding under Neighbourhoods Alive!, Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Jean Friesen announced today.

The Manitoba Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Council Inc. is receiving $41,360 for three summertime initiatives of the Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre. They include:

• Aboriginal children's sport camps: a free day program designed to introduce kids age eight to 12 to a well-rounded program of sports;
• youth and adult sport leagues: regular competition bringing together Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal athletes with the goal of increasing sporting opportunities as well as providing training in leadership, timekeeping, refereeing and coaching; and
• Team Winnipeg: a group of young Aboriginal athletes who travelled to Peguis First Nation for the Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games 2000.

"Recreation promotes good mental and physical health, encourages social interaction and is important to the overall well-being of our children and youth," Friesen noted.

"The high cost of registration, equipment and uniforms, a lack of transportation, and other personal reasons often prevent Aboriginal kids from being able to participate. These new initiatives will help more Aboriginal kids develop new skills, meet new friends and reap the spinoff benefits of sports and recreation, " Robinson said.

"Recreation is a key part of building healthy communities, which is the focus of Neighbourhoods Alive!," added Friesen, lead minister for Neighbourhoods Alive! "These programs will introduce Aboriginal children and their families to a wide variety of activities, and will open up opportunities that can last a lifetime."

Neighbourhoods Alive! is a long-term, community-based, social and economic development strategy that supports and encourages community-driven revitalization in specific neighbourhoods in Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson. The areas of focus are housing and physical improvements, employment and training, education and recreation, and safety and crime prevention.

Neighbourhoods Alive! was officially launched earlier this year with the creation of a $2 million Neighbourhood Renewal Fund which provides support to community renewal projects in specific neighbourhoods. The fund is in addition to the $8 million over four years that the province, through Family Services and Housing and in partnership with Neighbourhoods Alive!, recently committed to the tripartite Winnipeg Housing Initiative.

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