Rankin Inlet,
NU (April 30, 2002) Atuqtuarvik Corporation
of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, is joining ten
other Canadian and U.S. companies in supporting
the Foundation for the Advancement of Aboriginal
Youth (FAAY), Canada's oldest general interest
scholarship and bursary program for Aboriginal
youth.
Established
in 1994, FAAY has awarded almost $750,000
to approximately 600 Aboriginal students
in all areas of study.
"This scholarship
program works by extending hope, opportunity
and tangible recognition to many young Inuit.
Atuqtuarvik Corporation's sponsorship will
be a significant and tangible demonstration
of our commitment to building capacity in
Nunavut communities", said John Hickes,
Chairperson.
"Supporting
FAAY is a great way for Atuqtuarvik Corporation
to invest in the future of Nunavut youth," said
Ken Toner, President and CEO. "This
support will benefit our Corporation by
helping to train and educate the next generation
of Nunavut's leaders, and those are the
people we will do business with."
Atuqtuarvik
Corporation has made a three-year commitment
to FAAY - their funds will provide three
scholarships of $2500 per year for post-secondary
students and six bursaries of $750 per year
for secondary students. All will be directed
to students enrolled as beneficiaries under
the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. Scholarship
students are to be enrolled in any program
of studies at any accredited educational
institution in Canada and bursary students
are to be enrolled in Nunavut High Schools.
"I am very pleased to welcome Atuqtuarvik Corporation to the FAAY family," said
Jocelyne Soulodre, President and CEO of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
(CCAB). "They are the first Nunavut-based company to make a contribution
to FAAY - in fact, they are the first Aboriginal company to come forward and
lend a hand. I encourage other companies, whether Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal,
to join them."
CCAB is Canada's
leading organization dedicated to promoting
the full participation of Aboriginal people
in the Canadian economy.
Atuqtuarvik
Corporation is an investment and loan fund
created by Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
and the Nunavut Trust to help ensure direct
Inuit participation in major economic opportunities.
The corporation provides loans and equity
funding for the purposes of business start-up,
business expansion and business acquisition.
Find out more about FAAY and CCAB on the World Wide Web at www.ccab-canada.com
or www.aboriginalbiz.com.
For more information:
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