Native North American Travelling College secures provincial funding

The provincial government is providing funding to the Onake Corporation (Native North American Travelling College) to engage Ontarians in the Mohawk culture.

PHOTO CREDIT - Jim Brownell

Akwesasne - Apr. 15, 2011 - The provincial government is supporting creative sector jobs and cultural tourism in Akwesasne with the help of a $41,872 grant.

The Onake Corporation (Native North American Travelling College) will use the funding to engage Ontarians in the Mohawk culture through the combined use of technology and face-to-face interactions.

This will be achieved through the production of a series of short video vignettes, which will be made available on the college’s websites as well as on portable video monitors to be displayed in public places.

To support the videos, a series of educational booklets - primarily for children - will be developed as a tool to showcase Mohawk culture, traditions, arts and crafts.

Funding is provided through the Cultural Strategic Investment Fund, which supports projects that enhance Ontario’s cultural sector, including arts education, cultural diversity and engagement, and heritage preservation.

This support helps not-for-profit organizations working in the culture, heritage and public library sectors to undertake projects that stimulate job growth, support new, dynamic content and encourages cultural tourism.

"Akwesasne’s cultural organizations enrich our community and help drive creativity. This support will enable the Onake Corporation to continue their work to enhance our cultural life and community, which will help attract new visitors and boost cultural tourism,” said local MPP Jim Brownell in a statement.

Supporting culture is part of the Open Ontario Plan to strengthen the economy and create new opportunities for jobs and growth.

This year, the Cultural Strategic Investment Fund will provide $1.3 million to support 45 creative projects across Ontario.