Saving the aboriginal species at risk

Government of Canada Provides CAD76,000 for Aboriginal Projects for Species at Risk in Saskatchewan

Maurice Vellacott, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Wanuskewin and Randy Hoback, Member of Parliament for Prince Albert, announced today on behalf of the Minister of the Environment the Honourable Jim Prentice and Fisheries and Oceans Minister the Honourable Gail Shea, funding of CAD76,000 for two new projects in Saskatchewan as part of the Aboriginal Funds for Species at Risk Program.

This funding will be allocated to two projects that support Aboriginal organisations and communities in building capacity to enable their participation in the protection and recovery of species at risk on Aboriginal lands.

"The Government of Canada recognises the important role Aboriginal people and communities have to play in conserving and restoring our natural environment. Efforts put forth by Aboriginal organisations demonstrate that the government's partnership approach for dealing with species at risk is lending itself to the successful protection of Canada's ecosystems," said Mr. Vellacott.

"More than 250 species at risk benefited from the various initiatives, and over the last four years the Aboriginal Funds for Species at Risk gave assistance to 333 projects, for a total amount of CAD10.2 million," said Mr. Hoback.

The projects are being coordinated by the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) and include the implementation of the Aboriginal Engagement Strategy for Saskatchewan Species at Risk Pathfinder and a mapping project using Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge of Lake Sturgeon along the North Saskatchewan River delta.

"I am very pleased to support the Aboriginal Funds for Species at Risk, along with Environment Canada. Investing in these dedicated aboriginal organisations that share our commitment to protecting Canadian species at risk is key to preserving our country's biodiversity", said Canada's Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Gail Shea.

"Through this funding for the FSIN Lands and Resources Secretariat in the area of Species at Risk, we will be working with one of our member First Nations to undertake research on Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Fostering progress and cooperation are two of the cornerstones of our organisation," Vice Chief Wapass stated.

"The Aboriginal Funds for Species at Risk Program is a concrete example of financial assistance aimed at supporting Aboriginal communities in Canada in projects targeting critical habitats of species at risk or rare plants. We are pleased to support the implementation of recovery strategies, for the benefit of species and Canadian society," said Canada's Minister of Environment Jim Prentice.

There are two components to the Aboriginal Funds for Species at Risk Program: the Aboriginal Critical Habitat Protection Fund and the Aboriginal Capacity Building Fund.The key objective of these funds is to encourage meaningful involvement of Aboriginal people and communities in the implementation of the Species at Risk Act.