A new labour market partnership agreement between the Province and the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) will help address human resources challenges within Aboriginal non-profit agencies to better provide essential supports to Aboriginal people and families throughout B.C.

The Province, in partnership with the Aboriginal Housing Management Association, has transferred ownership and management of 75 properties for Aboriginal families on Vancouver Island to M'akola Housing Society.

Premier Christy Clark and Keith Mitchell, chair of the British Columbia Achievement Foundation, today named this year's recipients of the B.C. Community Achievement Awards.

The value of British Columbia's softwood lumber exports to China jumped 60 per cent in 2011, surpassing the $1-billion mark for the first time. Since 2003, lumber exports to China have risen by more than 1,500 per cent.

With the official opening of the Aboriginal Mother Centre, Aboriginal mothers and children at risk of homelessness now have access to transformational homes that are linked to cultural traditions.

The members of the new Advisory Council on Aboriginal Women were confirmed today by Mary Polak, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation.