OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 27, 2010) - The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and the Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, announced today that the Government of Canada is funding the expansion of the Reserve Land and Environment Management Program.

Approximately $9 million will be provided annually over the next four years to upgrade the Reserve Land and Environment Management Program from a pilot program to a fully expanded training and capacity building program. This new funding commitment will allow up to 20 new First Nations per year to benefit from this program in addition to the 60 First Nations enrolled to date.

"This announcement demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to increasing the capacity of First Nations to assume greater control of land and environmental management on their lands," said Minister Strahl. "Reinvesting in this program will enable First Nation communities to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to manage their lands and resources, leading to new economic opportunities and greater self-sufficiency."

The Reserve Land and Environment Management Program is a training and capacity building program that provides First Nations with the skills and knowledge necessary for them to assume a broader role in reserve land and environmental management activities, including community land use planning, environmental management and compliance processes. The initiative is part of the Action Plan of the Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development.

"The College of Agriculture and Bioresources at the University of Saskatchewan congratulates INAC on the full implementation of the Reserve Land and Environment Management Program," said Mary M. Buhr, Dean and Professor at the University of Saskatchewan. "We have been very pleased to partner with INAC in building and establishing activities in the preliminary stages of the program. The true collaboration and consultation at all levels has led to the creation of an innovative and effective program, and we look forward to many years of evolving partnership, association and communication."

"It is through our productive working relationship with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and the University of Saskatchewan and Laval University that we are able to develop and deliver a successful Professional Land Management Certification Program that raises the professional standards in First Nation lands management," said Leona Irons, Executive Director of the National Aboriginal Land Managers Association. "With this mark of excellence, the Lands Manager can help their community assume greater responsibility and autonomy, not only in lands management but also in economic development."

The Reserve Land and Environment Management Program includes a Professional Land Management Certification Program to strengthen the existing knowledge and skills of First Nations through both post-secondary and technical training. The certification program was developed in collaboration with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the National Aboriginal Land Managers Association and the University of Saskatchewan.

This release is also available on the Internet at www.inac.gc.ca

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