For 30 years, the First Light St. John's Friendship Centre has provided a space for urban Indigenous and non-Indigenous persons to build up, celebrate and contribute to arts and culture in the community. The Centre's programming and services have fostered the revitalization and understanding of Indigenous traditions and practices in St. John's and beyond.
One key part of the Centre's programming is Indigenous language revitalization. The learning or re-learning and use of Indigenous languages is key to gaining a greater understanding of culture and traditions. Its use on the stage, in writing, in presentations, and in everyday life build up and strengthen the identity of Indigenous communities.
Today, Joanne Thompson, Member of Parliament (St. John's East), announced $762,875 in funding from the Government of Canada for the First Light St. John's Friendship Centre. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage, and the Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities.
Funding from Canadian Heritage includes $567,875 from the Indigenous Languages and Cultures Program, which will allow First Light to deliver an Indigenous language activity program, a language and culture camp, and an Indigenous languages community library. These programs will be delivered in Mi'kmaw, Innu-Aimun, and Inuktitut. Canadian Heritage has also provided $150,000 to enhance events and activities offered at the Centre for Performance and Creativity's space with new equipment, livestreaming capabilities, and a purpose-built storage unit to keep equipment safe and secure. In addition, First Light received over $45,000 through the Small Projects component of the Government of Canada's Enabling Accessibility Fund. This funding is going toward two accessible doors and an accessible washroom, which will help improve access and participation by persons with disabilities in programs offered by the First Light St. John's Friendship Centre.
