FUTURE OF CULTURALLY BASED MATH SCIENCE CAMP IN JEOPARDY
For Immediate Release:
July 26, 2012
London, ON – Despite heavy cuts from Health Canada, The Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians (AIAI) will once again host a culturally based math and science summer camp that will go from Monday, July 30th to Wednesday August 1st, 2012 at the Fern Resort in Orillia, Ontario.
Grand Chief Gordon Peters is incensed that Health Canada would consider funding cuts. “With such glaring shortages of qualified health professionals in our communities and an under-representation in all areas of the health field by our Peoples, it is imperative that Health Canada restore the funding for this critical initiative.”
The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples identified that over 10,000 trained health care professionals will be required to meet Indigenous requirements nationally. The Commission further deemed that the best solution would come from Indigenous Peoples fulfilling this need.
Though originally designed for a five day camp, a condensed version will target Member Nation youth in grades 6-8 who have an interest in or present as an option a health related career. This camp is particularly special because of the input that came from the Member Nations’ Youth. The curriculum was created by the youth with the traditional components of fire, air, water, and earth and will have teachings from specialists in addition to the math and science components.
Grand Chief Peters asserts, “The importance of this life-changing opportunity should not be underestimated. Our children are our future and we need to invest in them to ensure a brighter future for all.”
At present, Health Canada has not made any funding available for next year.
The AIAI is mandated as a political territorial organization to defend and enhance the Indigenous and Treaty rights of its eight member First Nations. Visit them online at www.aiai.on.ca , https://twitter.com/#!/aiai_comms , www.facebook.com/aiai.pto , www.youtube.com/user/AIAIAdmin .
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For more information, please contact: John Jones, Communications Coordinator - AIAI at 519-434-2761 or jjones@aiai.on.ca .
