MEADOW LAKE WOMEN'S GROUP RECEIVES INTERNET ACCESS AND TRAINING GRANT

Released on July 23, 1998

Maynard Sonntag, minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Property

Management Corporation, on behalf of Judy Bradley, minister

responsible for the Status of Women, today presented a Meadow Lake

women's organization with a grant to enable them to access the

Internet and train members to use the new communications technologies.



The Waskoosis Safe Shelter will receive $7,000 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," Sonntag said.



"This funding will provide our organization with the opportunity to

link with groups more frequently and efficiently, access up-to-date

information quickly and help us effectively meet the needs of our

clients and members," Waskoosis Safe Shelter Director Cecile

Mistikokat 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.



Sonntag 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.



"We look forward to Saskatchewan women's organizations' strong

presence online locally, nationally and internationally," Sonntag

said.



The Waskoosis Safe Shelter provides counselling and a safe

environment for abused and battered women.



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For more information, contact:



Neena Saxena

Women's Secretariat

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-7012