[NAEP] New Canada Council program will support artistic exchange between Aboriginal Elders and youth

[Dawn Wiseman]

Ottawa, May 9, 2006 - The Canada Council for the Arts has launched a 
new pilot program that will help young Aboriginal artists learn from 
Elders. The Elder/Youth Legacy pilot program will give Elders the 
opportunity to pass on the many art forms they practice to the next 
generation.

The deadline for applications to this program is June 15.

"The Elder/Youth Legacy initiative is an exciting new development at 
Canada Council," said Louise Profeit-Leblanc, the Council's 
Aboriginal Arts Coordinator. "This new component of the Aboriginal 
Peoples Collaborative Exchange program has been sought by Aboriginal 
artists and organizations to ensure succession of artistic practice 
and to transfer knowledge to future generations."

The Elder/Youth Legacy pilot program funds Aboriginal arts 
organizations that wish to work with these two groups on a project 
basis. This program is not limited to traditional art forms but 
encompasses all forms of the arts.

Through this program, Aboriginal arts organizations can choose the 
Elder who will work with youth. The Elder will help decide the number 
of young people with whom he or she will work and will help select 
them. The organizations can apply for a grant worth up to $20,000.

For more information about this program, contact Louise 
Profeit-Leblanc, Aboriginal Arts Coordinator, at 1 800 263-5588, ext. 
4222, or louise.profeit-leblanc at canadacouncil.ca