TORONTO, July 30, 2019 – The creators of an Indigenous networking app will launch a new initiative designed to further connect and support Indigenous youth at an event this Thursday, August 1.

York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton will be joined by the Honourable Judy Sgro, Member of Parliament for Humber River – Black Creek, Alejandro Mayoral Banos, Executive Director of Indigenous Friends Association, and other partners to highlight new funding for skills training and digital technology.

What:          Indigenous Friends Association funding announcement

When:          August 1, 2019 at 9:15 a.m.

Where:        Skennen’kó:wa Gamig, Keele Campus (see Map)

Speakers:     Rhonda Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor, York University

Judy Sgro, Member of Parliament for Humber River – Black Creek

Pauline Shirt, Knowledge Keeper

Alejandro Mayoral Banos, President, Indigenous Friends

McKenzie Toulouse, York University Student Representative

York University champions new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Through cross-disciplinary programming, innovative course design, diverse experiential learning and a supportive community environment, our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Located in Toronto, York is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 300,000 alumni. York U's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

Media contact: Yanni Dagonas, York University Media Relations, 647-468-7850, yannidag@yorku.ca