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May 7, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
04-40
REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN- The Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Minister of State (Children and Youth), on behalf of the Honourable Joe Volpe, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced $500,000 in funding under the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy for Corporate Circles of Saskatchewan.
"Aboriginal participation in the labour market is a priority for the Government of Canada," said Minister of State Blondin-Andrew. "We are proud to be a part of the increasing circle of partners who recognize the benefits of a fully engaged Aboriginal work force. By partnering together-governments, communities and the private sector-we improve the skills and employment outcomes of Aboriginal people."
"SIIT is anticipating a productive and action-oriented relationship with METSI, provincial/federal governments and the private sector. It is our expectation that a large number of meaningful actions at the community level will yield, overall, very significant results," said Vice-Chief Delbert Wapass. Vice-Chief Wapass's portfolio includes education and training, urban issues, and Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) Board Chair.
"The Corporate Circles of Saskatchewan is an excellent first step in identifying the growing private and public sector labour force needs and how Aboriginal communities can fill those needs. We are moving in the right direction to ensure that the labour force requirements of industry are being satisfied through targeted education and training of a growing Aboriginal labour force," said Al Rivard, Minister for Métis Employment and Training of Saskatchewan Inc. (METSI).
"The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce is proud to participate in developing and implementing the Corporate Circles Strategy for Saskatchewan. The joint participation by the stakeholder groups provides an opportunity to improve and increase the economic picture of Saskatchewan," said Clay Dowling, immediate past president of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.
"The Regina Treaty/Status Indian Services is looking forward to long-term and evolving relationships with employers of Regina through establishing Corporate Circles. The Circles will endeavour to educate hiring personnel regarding First Nations and Métis cultures," said Dean Bellegarde, Chairperson, Regina/Treaty Status Indian Services.
Corporate Circles of Saskatchewan is a partnership between the Government of Canada, the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, Métis Employment and Training of Saskatchewan Inc. and the private sector designed to increase participation of Aboriginal people in the Saskatchewan labour market.
Career and employment roundtables throughout the province will be created and supported through Corporate Circles of Saskatchewan to focus on encouraging action and real outcomes for Aboriginal people. This partnership creates linkages between private sector employers and Aboriginal training institutes with the objective of helping Aboriginal people to connect with the work force.
In the first year, 100 Corporate Circle roundtables are targeted for creation by bringing together employers and First Nations and Métis organizations into this unique partnership. They will provide the foundation for identifying shared interests and opportunities for complementary support. The Corporate Circles concept encourages action that results in concrete outcomes related to First Nations and Métis participation in employment and/or career opportunities. The focus of roundtable action will be determined by the participating agencies/businesses according to local opportunity, economy and strategy.
The initial series of Corporate Circles is expected to generate approaches worthy of further development as modes for success in private sector and Aboriginal action.
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For more information on the Government of Canada's Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy, visit our Web site at www17.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/ahrds
For more information, contact:
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
Pierre L. Collin
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Minister of State
(819) 953-0928
SIIT
Myrna LaPlante
Saskatchewan Indian Institute
of Technologies
(306) 477-9217
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and
Skills Development Canada
(819) 994-5559
METSI
Susan Zwarych
Métis Employment and Training of Saskatchewan Inc.
(306) 668-7671
