Carol Hughes fights for residential school healing funding

MEDIA RELEASE

CAROL HUGHES, MP

************************* Hughes stands up for Aboriginal Healing Foundation funding

OTTAWA – Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes stood in the House of Commons today to table a petition signed by people opposed to the removal of funding for the Aboriginal Healing Foundation (AHF).

The AHF is designed to assist in the healing process and reconciliation of those affected by the physical, mental, and sexual abuse caused by the residential school system.

The federal government has decided to stop all funding of the program going forward, with the current fiscal year of funding running out after March 31, 2010.

“The government has formally apologized for the treatment of Aboriginal people within the residential school system,” Hughes said. “However, it seems that this government wishes to reconcile with Aboriginal people only through statements. The actions of this government do not speak to true commitment to reconciliation for First Nations people.”

The NDP have been echoing the calls from aboriginal groups to maintain AHFs work while a strong need among survivors and those affected by the residential schools persists.

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