TORONTO — Former prime minister Paul Martin will announce Thursday that his eponymous Aboriginal Education Initiative is partnering with Toronto’s DAREarts to inspire Aboriginal youth.
Martin will provide more details at the 11th annual DAREarts Leadership Awards at Arcadian Court, where he is being honoured with the Cultural Award.
DAREarts provides opportunities for vulnerable children and teens in underprivileged urban and rural areas across Canada to express themselves through the arts.
The Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative, established in 2008, provides Aboriginal Canadians with opportunities to further their education and become leaders in their communities.
“Both The Rt. Hon. Paul Martin and DAREarts are working with youth to go the distance from potential to success,” said Marilyn Field, Founder and President of DAREarts, in a release. “Canadians know little about a powerful Aboriginal human resource that can fill the workforce gap with brilliant minds, skilled hands and focused hearts.
“While Canada worries about who will keep this country productive and fill the employment gap, The Rt. Hon. Paul Martin opens up a future in business for Aboriginal youth in the same way that, using the arts, DAREarts empowers youth in at-risk communities across Canada.”
Of the six youths set to be honoured at Thursday’s gala, two are Aboriginal — Akaiya Melting Tallow from the Blackfoot First Nation, who attends school in Vancouver, and Trenton Wabasse of Webequie First Nation Ontario.
Martin, 74, was Canada’s prime minister from 2003 to 2006 and served as a MP from 1988 to 2008.
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