The federal government is committed to building more resilient, diverse and inclusive communities across the country, ensuring that everyone can fully participate in Canadian society and the economy.
Today, the Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, announced Government of Canada funding totalling $67,980 to support the Friends United Strategic Planning Initiative.
The Friends United Foundation empowers Indigenous artists, fights prejudice and promotes cultural understanding through art. The funding will support the development of a strategic plan and in-person sessions to enhance the organization's capacity and improve market access for Indigenous artists selling their artwork. Approximately 30 artists, who currently sell their art nationally and internationally through the gallery at the Friends United International Convention Centre in Cleveland, Cape Breton Island, will be supported by this initiative. This funding will also help the Foundation reach a wider audience and further showcase the work of Indigenous artists.
The funding comes from the Organizational Capacity Building component of the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program (MARP), which helps organizations build and strengthen their internal capacity to advance anti-racism and promote intercultural and interfaith understanding, provide equitable opportunities, promote dialogue on multiculturalism and anti-racism, and build understanding of disparities.
These investments are part of Canada's whole-of-government approach to tackling systemic racism and discrimination through Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy 2024-2028, which combines 70 federal initiatives aimed at building a more diverse and inclusive Canada. Since 2017-2018, MARP has supported over 3460 initiatives that focused on promoting multiculturalism and addressing racism and discrimination.
