January 31, 2014 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
More than 150 young First Nation adults in Manitoba will be connected to skills training and jobs thanks to the Government of Canada's new initiative to improve on-reserve Income Assistance. These investments will provide personalized supports to First Nations youth as they secure the tools needed to find meaningful employment and reduce their reliance on income assistance.
In Manitoba the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council, Brokenhead, and Fort Alexander/Sagkeeng will be implementing the new Enhanced Service Delivery in four First Nation communities. All of the four First Nations communities are participating at the request of their local First Nations leadership. These organizations will be working with First Peoples Development Inc. to provide on-reserve First Nations youth ages 18-24 with personalized assessments and job training plans.
This is part of the over $19.4 million in funding being provided this year by the Government of Canada to 22 Tribal Councils, First Nations and First Nation organizations to begin work in 70 First Nation communities across the country, providing support to young First Nations income assistance clients. A total of 22 pairs of joint proposals (22 Enhanced Service Delivery and 11 First Nations Job Fund) were approved. Together these organizations will ensure that eligible income assistance clients have access to necessary training through the newly created First Nations Job Fund.
"Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council and communities are pleased to be selected to participate in the Enhanced Service Delivery project to help prepare and ensure that our members are able to attain employment opportunities. Given the demographic change and transformation within our communities and society, attention to employment is not a choice but a necessity. It is absolutely necessary a holistic, integrated and seamless approach be adopted with the view of placing and meeting the needs of the most important client- the individual. The prospective individual needs to be given both the tools and support and safety mechanisms to increase their probability of success. Such an outlook must involve the provision of proper assessment, skills and training and employment readiness. This project and approach is a good starting point."
Robert Daniels, CEO
Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council
Erica Meekes
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
819-997-0002
Media Relations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160