Media Advisory: Special Donation of Meat Inspires Traditional Feast at Aboriginal Homeless Shelter PAQ

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - April 4, 2012) - Projets Autochtones du Québec (PAQ) is delighted to receive a donation of 50 pounds of seal meat from La Société du Loup Marin des Îles-de-la Madeleine. To celebrate this special gift, the Montreal homeless shelter for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples is holding a traditional feast for the homeless on Wednesday, April 4^th. A relationship that began last year when Welcome Hall Mission was approached by the group from the Magdalen Islands and introduced them to the needs of PAQ. The tradition continues…

"An Inuk elder will bless the Country Food Supper while throat singers bring traditional entertainment to our guests. Many of them grew up in the North and are very excited! It's conjuring up memories of happier times," says Adrienne Campbell, Director of PAQ. Welcome Hall Mission CEO/Executive Director, Cyril Morgan, says this donation helps build bridges. "The issue of aboriginal poverty and homelessness is an obvious one in Montreal that needs to be addressed. We need to work together so that native people in this city receive an adequate amount of support."

Representating La Société du Loup Marin des Îles de la Madeleine, Léonce Arseneau says, "We want to help people in need while at the same time promote our traditional livelihood." Mr. Arseneau also wishes to thank Boucherie spécialisée Côte à Côte for preparing the meat and shipping it to Montreal.

Founded in 2004, PAQ is a non-profit organization that favors the social and professional development of Aboriginal peoples needs. Furthermore, we believe in building bridges between Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals. Our primary objective is to provide food and shelter to First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples who are homeless or at-risk. Every night we greet approximately 25 to 55 men and women, ranging from 18 to 65 years of age. Our community members in difficulty are able to have refuge and security through an environment that fosters harm reduction.