29
Apr

App Aimed at Increasing Women’s Safety

“The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, today applauded the launch of the SOS Response personal safety smartphone app.

“The Harper Government is committed to ending violence against women and girls in communities across Canada,” said Minister Ambrose. “This new mobile app is a hands-on, innovative approach to preventing violence against women and girls.”

EVA BC, SOS Response and Telus partnered to create this new app, which is a personal, monitored alarm system for girls and women.

“The SOS mobile monitored alarm app is an easy-to-use, cost-efficient tool that will increase safety for women across Canada who are fleeing violence,” said Tracy Porteous, Executive Director of EVA BC. “The program is also a great example of community and business working together in the most positive of ways.”
(more…)

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22
Apr

Taking Steps Toward Preventing Violence

“The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) commends the leaders of the National Aboriginal Organizations (NAOs) and Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Aboriginal Affairs for jointly calling on the federal government to conduct a National Public Inquiry on violence against Aboriginal women and girls.

“This is an important demonstration of solidarity by Aboriginal leaders and the Ministers”, said NWAC President Michèle Audette. “Aboriginal leaders have agreed on the need for an inquiry and a national action plan to address violence for some time. We are so very pleased to now have the support of the Ministers who were at this meeting on the need for a National Inquiry to address this critical issue.” President Audette said that the full support she felt among the NAO leaders on this issue helped her to press strongly for action, with positive results.
(more…)

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11
Apr

New Aboriginal Men’s Anti-Violence Campaign

“‘End violence against Aboriginal women and girls’ is the message of a new public awareness campaign encouraging Aboriginal men to speak out against domestic violence, which is being launched in partnership with Onashowewin, Ka Ni Kanichihk, 595 Broadway, All Nations Printing and elder Albert McLeod, Family Services and Labour Minister Jennifer Howard, minister responsible for the status of women, announced today.

“I commend the five Aboriginal gentlemen featured in this campaign for taking a public stand against domestic violence,” said Howard. “They are each strong role models for their respective generations in lending their voices and images to help others take a stand to prevent violence against women.”
(more…)

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14
Dec

Crime Prevention in New Brunswick

If all goes well, there should be a downward shift in regards to crime happening very soon.  A new crime reduction and prevention strategy was initiated yesterday in New Brunswick.  The main goal of this new strategy is “to ensure that the province’s approach to crime and victimization is evidence-based, co-ordinated to make the most of limited resources, and focused on achieving real outcomes”.  The federal government even contributed almost $300,000 through the Crime Prevention Action Fund to make this initiative a reality.  If you ask me, this is something that is long overdue.

It’s definitely a step in the right direction, but at the same time it begs the question: can it actually make a difference?  Nationwide there are  many different social programs, groups, organizations and associations that exist with the main focus of facilitating some type of positive change for people, yet we still seem to be plagued with the same issues.

Progress can be a slow process, yet I’m hopeful that this new crime prevention and reduction strategy will both deter people from committing crimes in the first place.  But, for the crimes that have already occurred, encourage the victims to come forward with information; actually, anyone that has information about any criminal act should say something.

Whether anonymous or otherwise, if you see something, say something!  
For more information about this new crime reduction initiative check out their website.

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24
Oct

Dedication Ceremony for Elder Peter Bernard

22 October 2012 – Tobique First Nation (GNB) – A recently completed riverbank restoration project was dedicated to an elder who inspired his community at a ceremony today. Premier David Alward, Chief Stewart Paul, Chief-elect Brenda Pearly and members of the Tobique First Nation participated in the celebration.

The restoration project began in 2009 after the provincial government signed a Memorandum of Understanding calling for work to be done along the banks of the Tobique River. In partnership, members of the Tobique First Nation and representatives from the province worked to restore significant parts of the riverbanks, increasing the overall safety and quality of life for community members. The project also successfully encouraged a number of training and employment opportunities for community members.

“This is a true example of what can be accomplished when everyone works together,” Alward said. “Working together as equal partners at the table was the only way we could achieve success. The real success, though, is how the community pulled together and were hands-on throughout the entire project. The majority of the work done here was performed by members of Tobique First Nation. I would also like to thank Chief Stewart Paul for his initiative and leadership throughout the entire project.”

The celebration was also a dedication ceremony for Elder Peter Bernard, who died in 2006. Elder Bernard was a dedicated member of Tobique First Nation and served the community for most of his adult life on the band council. One of his greatest passions was the Saint John River system, and the importance of restoring balance to the waterways.

“Elder Bernard was a dedicated advocate for the restoration of the Saint John River system,” Alward said. “It is fitting that we celebrate the completion of this riverbank restoration project with a dedication to a man who has inspired generations to work together to preserve the beauty of the Tobique River.”

Media Contact(s)

John Adam, communications, Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat, 506-444-3335.

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09
Oct

Fire Prevention Week – October 7- 13, 2012

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) would like to recognize and bring attention to Fire Prevention Week (October 7 to 13, 2012). In recognition of this year’s theme, “HAVE TWO WAYS OUT.©”, the AFN encourages all First Nation citizens to take the time to become aware of fire hazards with a thorough inspection of their homes and businesses and develop a fire escape plan.

The death rate due to fire in First Nation communities is alarmingly high and many First Nations do not have the required resources for prevention or emergency response. The First Nation death rate due to fire is 10.4 times higher than among Canada overall, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Fire incidence, damage and injury statistics are also consistently higher than the Canadian average. (more…)

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