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For Immediate Release
August 2, 2000

News Release

Ontario Aboriginal Partnerships Recognition Award Announced

TORONTO – Today, Jim Flaherty, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Native Affairs announced that nominations from the public for a new Ontario Aboriginal Partnerships Recognition Award (OAPRA) are now being accepted. The award has been established through a partnership between the Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat and the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation.

Jim Flaherty, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Native Affairs said, "The Ontario Aboriginal Partnerships Recognition Award is a way for us to profile the partnership efforts between business and the Aboriginal community that increase self-reliance for Aboriginal people. We are pleased to be partners with the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation for the Aboriginal Partnerships Recognition Award."

The Ontario Aboriginal Partnerships Recognition Award will be given out annually to celebrate a successful Ontario based business partnership between an Aboriginal business, community, or organization and either a non-Aboriginal or Aboriginal business, community, or organization. Partnerships must be located in Ontario and be at least two years old. The first Award winners will be recognized at a ceremony in the fall of 2000.

The award winners will have increased the employment of Aboriginal people; provided learning or training opportunities to Aboriginal people; or shown a commitment to the community in which they operate. A brochure outlining detailed criteria is available from the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation.

"Recognizing successful business partnerships in the Aboriginal community is an effective means of promoting similar partnerships and adds to the rich legacy of the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards," said John Kim Bell, President and Founder of the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation.

Minister Flaherty will make the final decision on the award recipients based on recommendations by Ontario's Working Partnerships Advisory Committee. The Committee is comprised of volunteers from the Aboriginal business community and the corporate sector.

The deadline for nominations is September 22, 2000. Nomination brochures are available in English and French from the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation web site at www.naaf.ca, the Working Partnerships Section of the Aboriginal Business Development Online web site at: www.aboriginalbusiness.on.ca and the Building Aboriginal Economies section of the Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat web site at www.aboriginalaffairs.gov.on.ca.

Judy Tobe
Director of Public Affairs
National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation
416-926-0775
1-800-329-9780