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Reflecting on Understanding First Nations Treaties Workshop

Mar 12, 2015 | 3:16 PM

Those who missed the Chamber’s recent workshop on understanding First Nations Treaties and how they can be applied in today’s business world missed an opportunity to learn and engage about the various facets of Treaty rights, assimilation practices and how the past still influences today.

The Understanding Treaties – Opportunity for Doing Business with First Nations workshop on February 24th was facilitated by John Lagimodiere, owner of Aboriginal Consulting Services (ACS) and publisher of Eagle Feather News. The one-day event also heard from the province’s Treaty Commissioner, George E. Lafond, and Geoff Gay, CEO with Athabasca Basin Development, a proven success story involving seven First Nations partners.

For the minimal charge of just $10, participants learned more about the effects of Treaties, the aftermath of Canada’s assimilation policies and why our society must focus on ways to achieve increased collaboration, while better utilizing the Aboriginal work force available in Saskatchewan. The event was sponsored by the Northern Lights Development Corporation and the Northern Lights Casino, two progressive local entities focused on providing opportunities for Aboriginal people.

As we already know, Saskatchewan’s Aboriginal population continues to grow, but Aboriginal people remain largely underrepresented in the workforce. January labour force statistics from Sasktrends Monitor showed a decline in the number of Aboriginal people in the workforce.

An earlier Sasktrends report, from December 2014, said First Nations employment figures for those living off reserve had decreased for the first time since 2010.

Understanding Treaties – Opportunity for Doing Business with First Nations was more than an opportunity to learn about the past. It was a chance to gain understanding of how Treaties were created, and what they contained both in the “spirit & intent” as well as the written word. While many of the promises made as part of Treaties have been damaging to First Nations culture, language, beliefs and trust, the task now is to work together to reconcile the past and build on our strengths for a collaborative future, as the sons and daughters of the treaty-making process.

The workshop offered some very practical solutions to finding and retaining employees. As Mr. Lagimodiere put it, “As individuals start to realize the importance of engaging with the Aboriginal community, it’s important to learn about that community.”

“We can’t talk about Aboriginal issues today without thoroughly understanding where they come from.”

From a review of recent job postings, local employers have been offering more incentives in an effort to attract new hires including more flexible hours and on-the-job training. But, for some businesses, the usual way of finding employees hasn’t worked as well as they hoped.

Engaging Aboriginal people in today’s workforce might mean networking at community powwows or round dances, Mr. Lagimodiere said. Job benefit programs might offer Aboriginal employees the opportunity for counseling sessions with a respected elder rather than a counselor.

The point is that Aboriginal people want to work, but they don’t always walk through the door with a ready resume and the exact skill set you need. They may not even be scanning Internet job postings. But, engaging and retaining Aboriginal employees can still happen if, as Mr. Lafond described – we get educated and work together.

“This is why workshops like this are important to you,” he added.

“You have to build the city based on what your strengths are,” Lafond said. “If one of your fastest-growing demographics in Prince Albert and Saskatchewan is not doing well, do you think we’re all doing well?”
That’s a good point. This workshop was an important step in the reconciliation and engagement process for Prince Albert. Simply put, a lot can be learned from events such as the education workshop February 24th. If we want Prince Albert to be a more successful community, we must also make it a more inclusive community.

There is a benefit to us all, should we put in the effort and get involved in the discussions