LA RONGE COMMUNITY GROUP RECEIVES INTERNET ACCESS AND TRAINING GRANT

Released on August 18, 1998

Minister of Northern Affairs Keith Goulet, on behalf of Judy Bradley,

minister responsible for the Status of Women, today presented a

La Ronge community organization with a grant to enable them to access

the Internet and train members to use the new communications

technologies.



The Kikinahk Friendship Centre will receive $9,000 from the Women's

Organizations On Line Program, an initiative of the Saskatchewan

Women's Secretariat.



"This program will strengthen the ability of community groups to deal

with pressing issues such as poverty, unemployment and family

violence," Goulet said.



"This funding will provide our organization with access to information

quickly, save on travelling costs and long distance charges, and will

be of great benefit to our clients, members and other women in the

community," Kikinahk Friendship Centre Director Ron Woytowich said.



The majority of groups receiving funding provide support and services

to lower income women, First Nations or Metis women, rural or northern

women, visible minority and immigrant women and women who are victims

of violence.



Goulet noted that at a recent Internet symposium for Saskatchewan

women, keynote speaker and President of Meta Strategies Inc. Liz

Rykert stated that this program is in the forefront in Canada and

that Saskatchewan is leading the way for other provinces and

territories.



The Kikinahk Friendship Centre employs a Family Service worker,

Teen Parent worker, Prenatal Nutrition worker and Employment and

Training worker that deal primarily with women's issues.



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For more information, contact:



Neena Saxena

Women's Secretariat

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-7012



Ron Woytowich

Kikinahk Friendship Centre

La Ronge

Phone: (306) 425-2051