Through the Urban Partnerships program as part of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada's improved Urban Aboriginal Strategy, four Aboriginal organizations in British Columbia (BC) received funding aimed at increasing the participation of urban Aboriginal people in Canada's economy.
The BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres
Funding: $435,000
The BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres is an incorporated, non-profit Aboriginal organization that administers and implements programs through coordinated efforts with its 25 Friendship Centres in the province of BC.
Funding will enable the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, in partnership with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, the provincial government, the Union of BC Municipalities, and Métis Nation BC, to develop a BC Regional Plan that will inform both the federal Urban Aboriginal Strategy and the provincial Off-Reserve Aboriginal Action Plan. The goal is to ensure a coordinated and focused effort in support of urban Aboriginal people across the province acquiring the necessary skills for employment.
The Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Council
Funding: $280,096
The Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Council was formed in 2008 and includes 25 Aboriginal organizations representing a diverse range of programs, services, and mandates across Metro Vancouver. The Council provides a collaborative, strategic, and unified voice to the over 40,000 Aboriginal people living in Metro Vancouver.
The Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Council will host a tourism workshop with the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC and hold community roundtables and targeted engagement sessions with youth, elders and industry. The Tourism workshop will enable service providers to learn about direct and indirect employment opportunities in the tourism sector. The roundtables and engagement sessions will enable the Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive to gain community input to address key areas of concern with a focus on increasing access to education, training and employment opportunities.
The Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society (ACCESS)
Funding: $127,216
ACCESS provides a unique and diverse assortment of education, training, counselling, support and financial services designed to help members of the urban Aboriginal community overcome barriers that may stand in the way of success and self-sufficiency.
ACCESS, in partnership with industry and training providers, will host a workshop for urban Aboriginal service workers March 2-3, 2015. As a result of Canada's National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy, there is expected to be significant demand for skilled trades labour in marine and related industries. The workshop will provide information about direct and indirect employment opportunities in the marine/shipbuilding sector and skills training required for Aboriginal people to access those opportunities.
The Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association (FRAFCA)
Funding: $64,014
The Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association is an Aboriginal social service agency providing services and programs in Aboriginal Infant Development, Aboriginal Early Childhood Development, Education, Housing and Homelessness, Community Development, Employment, Youth and Elder, and Family and Culture. Based in Surrey it has expanded its service area to include Delta, Tsawwassen, White Rock, and Langley.
Funding will enable the Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association to work with training providers and government to develop an Industry Engagement Strategy. The strategy will identify two industry sectors and specific employment opportunities within them. An action plan will be developed to indentify necessary skills training and to develop and implement initiatives (tailored training and mentoring programs) that will lead to the hiring of Aboriginal people those sectors.
