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October 22, 2009 SOUTHEAST COLLEGIATE STUDENTS TO STRENGTHEN RECREATION LEADERSHIP SKILLS WITH NEW SPORT ACHIEVEMENT INITIATIVES: PREMIERSoutheast Collegiate students will be able to strengthen community recreation leadership skills with provincial support to develop new after-school initiatives at their school, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“By developing these leadership skills in our youth though these new initiatives, students will be able to establish and expand recreational initiatives in their communities,” said Selinger. “Investing in our students today will give them the tools to build a healthier Manitoba for the future.”
The Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre (WASAC), a non-profit organization providing recreational and leadership opportunities for Aboriginal children and youth in Winnipeg, will partner with Southeast Collegiate to provide after-school training in leadership and recreation to students. WASAC will also support youth returning home in the summer by preparing them to lead summer recreation activities in their communities.
“These kinds of programs really make a difference for youth and help them achieve their true potential,” said Kevin Chief from WASAC. “We are excited for this opportunity to reach out to youth and help them learn skills they can use to build a better future for themselves and their families.”
Established in 1995, Southeast Collegiate is a Winnipeg-based high school for First Nations youth. Each year, up to 200 youth from First Nation communities across the province attend Southeast Collegiate.
”Southeast Collegiate works hard to provide the best quality education and supports for our students and their families,” said Irene Linklater, principal of Southeast Collegiate. “We’re pleased to work with WASAC on this exciting new opportunity that will give our students the chance to further develop their athletic abilities while learning new skills.”
The province is investing more than $150,000 over two years in the centre to develop after-school recreation and leadership initiatives. Southeast Collegiate also hosts the Mino Binaadiziwin program, which seeks to promote a balance of spirit, body and mind. Mino Binaadiziwin is an Ojibway phrase meaning the good life. Youth taking part in the program represent many First Nations communities.
Funding for WASAC is being co-ordinated through Healthy Child Manitoba. First announced in March 2000, Manitoba’s Healthy Child Committee of Cabinet is presently chaired by Healthy Living Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross and represents departments such as Aboriginal and northern affairs; culture, heritage, tourism and sport; education, citizenship and youth; family services and housing; health and healthy living; justice; and labour and immigration and the minister responsible for the status of women.
Healthy Child Manitoba uses an evidence-based approach to develop child-centred public policy. It works with multiple partners to create integrated programs and supports for Manitoba families.
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