Ontario is working with Indigenous partners to deliver 14 projects that will help people break the cycle of poverty, increase access to safe and nutritious food, find good jobs and end homelessness, while meeting the unique challenges and needs of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit peoples.
Peter Milczyn, Minister of Housing and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy, was in Thunder Bay today to make the announcement.
Kinna-aweya Legal Clinic will receive support to help vulnerable people get the identification they need to access housing, income support, education, banking services, employment or government benefits and services. This program will cover the upfront cost of applications and will help people complete forms by gathering the required information. The clinic will also provide ongoing case management and referrals to appropriate community and governmental services and benefits.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) will receive support to provide resources to multiple NAN communities that are working to increase access to safe and nutritious food through the Kiitigaan Megwe-Nishnawbe, or Good Things Growing Among People program, to develop ways to measure the effectiveness of culturally appropriate Indigenous food systems evaluation practices. Local food developers will help each community determine how and what they measure to guide their community food practices and innovations.
In total, 14 projects are being funded through Ontario's Local Poverty Reduction Fund. Part of this funding supports data collection, which will help develop more effective poverty reduction programs across the province.
Working together with Indigenous partners to reduce poverty is one of many steps on Ontario's journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. It reflects the government's commitment to work with Indigenous partners and create a better future for everyone in the province.
Source: Ontario.ca