Ottawa (June 20, 2008) - The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, today announced funding to support the Yukon Arts Community through Canada's Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) initiative.
"It is with great pride that our Government supports such innovative projects through this SINED initiative," Minister Strahl said. "Both the Yukon First Nations Arts Festival and the Comprehensive Film and Video Industry Development Program are excellent initiatives that showcase Yukon talent in the arts while fostering skills development and providing growth opportunities for Yukoners."
Through the SINED, Targeted Investment Program (TIP), Canada is investing in projects that will develop the arts economy in the Yukon. The Society of Yukon Artists of Native Ancestry (SYANA) will receive $120,000 from TIP to support the development of the first annual Yukon First Nations Arts Festival (YFNAF) taking place June 20-28th 2008.
The Yukon Film Society will receive $278,601 and the Northern Film and Video Industry Association will receive $120,307 through TIP for their collaborative Comprehensive Film and Video Industry Development Program. This program is a comprehensive training initiative that will develop and produce three short drama productions, providing training and workshops to members of the film industry.
"Film production is a lively art, which feeds both our culture and economy," said Heidi Slat, President of the Yukon Film Society. "Through training and collaboration, we aim to strengthen the Yukon film industry towards becoming an ongoing provider of expertise and professionally crafted films for the marketplace."
"We are excited about the benefits our industry will gain from offering more professional training to our local film crew," said Jessica Hall, board member of the Northern Film and Video Industry Association. "This program will help to increase our industry's capacity for production, for both local and outside producers."
"We welcome and are very grateful for Indian and Northern Affairs' support of local artists and hope to make this arts festival an annual event that benefits local artists and provides a great cultural event for all Yukoners," said Executive Director, E. Sonny Voyageur, of the Society of Yukon Artists of Native Ancestry. "In addition, INAC's generous support enables SYANA to execute a two-fold process in serving Yukon First Nations artists. First, it provides SYANA with the ability to acquire and develop suitable human resources skills. Second, it empowers Yukon First Nations Artists and affirms their status as a prominent force in film development in the Yukon."
These projects are funded through Indian and Northern Affairs Canada's TIP under Canada's SINED initiative. INAC is committed to working with territorial governments, First Nations and Northerners to develop and support economic development initiatives that promote stronger, more sustainable economies and communities. The TIP is one of two main complementary programs under SINED, the other being the Innovation and Knowledge Fund.
This announcement reinforces the commitment in the recent Speech from the Throne to advance an integrated Northern Strategy focused on strengthening Canada's sovereignty, protecting our environmental heritage, promoting economic and social development, and improving and developing governance. Today's announcement supports improving economic opportunities and helping to meet the needs of Northerners, by strengthening the Arts community as a sustainable and vital part of the Yukon economy.
Backgrounder - Strategic Investment in Yukon Arts
For further information please contact:
Shari-Lynn MacLellan
Communications Officer
Indian and Northern Affairs, Yukon
867-667-3848
E. Sonny Voyageur
Executive Director
Society of Yukon Artists of Native Ancestry
867-668-2695
Ross Burnet
General Manager
Yukon Film Society
867-667-6473
Jessica Hall
Board Member
Northern Film & Video Industry Association
867-456-2978
