Released on October 4, 2001
Two public library systems in La Ronge are receiving government support fora new Internet training initiative that will help northern families.
Northern Affairs Minister Keith Goulet on behalf of Economic and Co-
operative Development Minister Eldon Lautermilch today announced funding of
$87,000 to the Pahkisimon Nuye?áh Library System and the La Ronge Public
Library for a program to train people who have problems accessing
information technology.
The program builds on a provincial project launched last month at the
Saskatoon Public Library. The program will enhance the computer and
information literacy of Aboriginal and low-income people by providing
Internet, e-mail and word processing training and access.
"Our Partnership for Prosperity strategy calls for more businesses and
families connected to the Internet, a more diverse northern economy, and a
higher employment rate of First Nations and Métis people," Goulet said.
"By providing training for northern residents on developing resumés on-line
and corresponding with potential employers over the Internet, our libraries
are supplying the means to help reach these targets."
The training offered in northern Saskatchewan has three specific purposes.
It will enable families to communicate with students in other centres,
seniors to search for information on health issues, and the unemployed to
create resumés and conduct their job searches through the Web.
The training modules that are prepared at the Saskatoon Public Library will
be translated into Cree and Dene with the assistance of the Lac La Ronge
Indian Band, Can/Sask Employment and Training Services and the Headwaters
Smart Community Project. This will ensure training becomes accessible to
local residents.
"This project is an exciting example of how libraries in the province and
Northern organizations work together to respond to people's needs for
service," Pahkisimon Nuye?áh Library System Director Audrey Mark said.
Funding for the library project comes from Saskatchewan Economic and Co-
operative Development. The department, through its Information Technology
Office, has a mandate to use information technology to enhance public
access and to deliver government services electronically to citizens
wherever they live.
- 30 -
For more information, contact:
Bob Ellis
Economic and Co-operative Development
Regina
Phone (306) 787-1691