The first step toward an Inuit Graduate Program
Mnaaj'in Gechi-wiidookang Nishnaabe-Gchi-Kinoomaagziwin
Neeginan Village (Our Place) transitional housing complex receives $6.1 million
The first step toward an Inuit Graduate Program
Inuit Health Research and Planning Summer Institute in August 2007
The first Inuit summer institute on health research methods and planning will be held at the University of Ottawa from August 13-31, 2007. This launches an Inuit graduate program on health research, which will eventually include an Inuit Masters and Doctoral cohort.
The summer institute offers a foundation for Inuit who wish to continue on to graduate studies. It is also an opportunity to any Inuit working or wishing to work in health planning and research to develop skills in these areas. For this reason, the seminar will not be restricted to candidates with undergraduate level education. The institute will cover travel, accommodation, meal and tuition expenses.
Anisnabe Kekendazone, the Ottawa Aboriginal Capacity and Development Research Environment (ACADRE), run by CIETcanada, a research NGO, at the University of Ottawa, has teamed with the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and other Inuit organizations and ACADREs to bring together research trainers from across the country with Inuit participants. The hosting institutions came together in 2006 to address the lack of access to graduate studies in health research and planning among Northern Inuit. The August 2007 institute is the beginning of a process to improve that access and to build research and planning capacity across Inuit communities.
This three-week introduction to scientific research methods will focus on methods that are relevant to Inuit lives and communities. Participants will also study practical applications of research evidence for planning. The program covers historical and contemporary Inuit health issues, Inuit health/life transitions, and environmental changes, as well as the articulation of scientific methods and traditional knowledge. It will also consider differences across regions.
Application guidelines are available online at www.ciet.org. If you are interested as a student, planner, health worker or member of an Inuit organization, please contact any of the people listed below.
Current partners in this academic initiative include:
• CIETcanada
• Inuit Tapirit Kanatami
• Anisnabe kekendazone (Ottawa)
• Nunavut Tungavik Inc.
• University of Manitoba ACADRE
• Inuvialuit Regional Corp
• Nasivvik Centre, Laval ACADRE
• Nunatsiavut government
• Embrace Life Council, Iqaluit
• Pauktuutit Inuit Women's Association
Mnaaj'in Gechi-wiidookang Nishnaabe-Gchi-Kinoomaagziwin
Sara Peltier receives the inaugural Native Education Person of Distinction Award
Laurentian University is pleased to announce that Mrs. Sara Peltier has received the inaugural “Mnaaj'in Gechi-wiidookang Nishnaabe-Gchi-Kinoomaagziwin” (Native Education Person of Distinction Award). The recipient was announced during the university’s National Aboriginal Day celebrations held at the Founders’ Square recently.
“Sara Peltier’s commitment to education has been life-long and many have been influenced by her passion for making the system a better place for all,” said Sheila Hardy, director, academic, Native affairs.
“She is a role model for Native people. It is an honour for us to recognize a true community pillar,” added Leona Nahwegahbow, chair of the Laurentian University Native Education Council (LUNEC).
Sara Peltier is of Odawa/Ojibwe descent and was born in the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve. Over the years, she has held the roles of teacher, principal and director of education in her community, overseeing the development and delivery of programs from daycare to adult education. In the mid-1990s, Mrs. Peltier held the position of dean of Anishinaabe studies at Cambrian College.
Throughout her career and among many other accomplishments, she was involved in the development of a Native Languages document for use in Ontario’s provincial education system, worked with the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation and represented Native people on the multicultural committee for two years at the federal level. Mrs. Peltier has been a member of the Laurentian University Board of Governors since 1995 and her committee work for the university includes a seat on LUNEC, which oversees the development of Native education at Laurentian. Mrs. Sara Peltier holds a Bachelor of Arts degree form Laurentian University, a Bachelor of Education degree form Nipissing University in North Bay and a Master’s of Arts from Central Michigan University.
The Laurentian University Native Education Person of Distinction Award was created and given for the very first time this year and recognizes individuals who demonstrate a commitment to Native education in northeastern Ontario.
YOUCAN (Youth Canada Association) and Native Counselling Services of Alberta are inviting youth to explore Northern Ireland for two weeks in November 2007. Every year the Dealing with Difference exchange encourages five males and five females aged 16-19 years to expand their awareness of the strained relations that exist between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal youth.
Participants are asked to reconsider prejudices and stereotypes in order to build a foundation of understanding and respect. Exchange coordinators from both YOUCAN and aNative Counselling Services of Alberta challenge youth to examine ongoing societal tensions through the use of peace circles, one to one interviews, and fun exercises.
The Dealing with Difference program helps youth address conflict by meeting with them prior to departure, challenging them during the trip, and then supporting them for several months afterwards as they initiate constructive changes in their communities.
YOUCAN Program Coordinator, Kyle Dubé recalls the first day last-year’s participants assembled to meet each other; the Aboriginal youth seated themselves on one side of the table and the non-Aboriginal youth on the other. There was obviously a lot to talk about. The Northern Irish setting, therefore, provides an appropriate context for debate about the repercussions of persistent cultural clashes.
Northern Ireland has witnessed its share of political and religious turmoil resulting from poor communication and increased polarization between Protestant and Catholic groups. While efforts are being made to restore trust between the two sides, underlying issues persist and demand a continued commitment to peace.
During the exchange, participants seize the opportunity to learn about the violent confrontations and peace making efforts of varied groups in Northern Ireland. To better facilitate the introduction to Northern Ireland, YOUCAN and Native Counselling Services of Alberta have partnered with the Sprit of Enniskillen (SOE), an organization dedicated to fostering dialogue between Protestant and Catholic youth.
The Dealing with Difference exchange is modeled after the Spirit of Enniskillen's successful Explore program which sends groups of Protestant and Catholic youth all over the world to discuss conflict as well as key issues of their choosing.
Participants in the Dealing with Difference exchange further expand their cultural knowledge of Northern Ireland by briefly staying with Northern Irish families and visiting such natural wonders as the Giant’s Causeway.
Upon finishing the program, participants are expected to reflect on their discoveries and employ them in promoting a culture of dialogue amongst Canadians with different cultural and religious traditions. Participants complete the program with an enhanced sense of identity and a better understanding of the perceptions that govern interactions between non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal peoples.
YOUCAN and Native Counselling Services of Alberta then equip participants with the skills needed to create and deliver effective presentations. Participants of past exchanges have used the leadership training to communicate their experiences to members of their communities, contributing to more positive relations between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples. For more information on the Dealing with Difference exchange, visit www.youcan.ca. The deadline for applications is August 15, 2007.
Neeginan Village (Our Place) transitional housing complex receives $6.1 million
Aboriginal students who are single parents or have a disability, and who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless, will have a safe and accessible place to call home when Neeginan Village opens its doors. The federal government, the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg are contributing $6.1 million through the Winnipeg Housing and Homelessness Initiative (WHHI) and the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement (WPA).
The Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, the Honourable Kerri Irvin-Ross, Manitoba Minister of Healthy Living and Deputy Mayor Brenda Leipsic, made the announcement July 10th, at the site of the future complex, located next to the Aboriginal Centre on Higgins Avenue.
“Canada’s New Government is committed to helping those in need find safe and accessible housing,” said Minister Solberg. “The construction of Neeginan Village is a step toward ensuring those who need help have access to housing and support so they can build a better and stronger future for themselves and their families.”
“Neeginan Village offers students at the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resources Development more than just a place to stay,” said Minister Irvin-Ross, on behalf of Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Steve Ashton. “It will offer personal and emotional support, tutoring, career path-finding and skills development – all things that will complement what students learn in class and as they prepare to enter the workforce.”
“Getting an education or upgrading your skills can be challenging under the best circumstances,” said Deputy Mayor Leipsic, on behalf of Mayor Katz. “A lack of proper housing and support makes it even more difficult. By providing stability and a sense of community, Neeginan Village will give students a better chance at becoming full participants in their community and we’re very pleased to be part of that.”
Neeginan Village will be a transitional and supportive housing project with 24 single parent/family units, and an additional four single accessible units for persons with disabilities. The housing complex is expected to open in Spring 2008 and is one of many initiatives undertaken by the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CAHRD).
“When students come to Neeginan Village, it’s not just about economic and community development – our community is coming home. CAHRD is creating a community and homes for the Aboriginal community and it’s all based on a 30-year vision of ‘Neeginan’, which is a Cree word meaning ‘Our Place’,” said Wayne Helgason, CAHRD Board Chair. “Through the Aboriginal Centre, Aboriginal Health & Wellness, the Aboriginal Community Campus, the Neeginan Institute of Applied Technology, and the new state-of-the-art Neeginan Technical Centre, the corner of Main and Higgins will be Neeginan and we will all be here to celebrate families and self sustainability.”
WHHI funding of $4.3 million consists of $3.8 million through federal homelessness funding and $500,000 through the recently announced Manitoba HomeWorks! Program. Winnipeg Partnership Agreement (WPA) funding of $1.78 million is being directed towards land costs including site remediation and demolition costs.
Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CAHRD)
CAHRD is a community-led, non-profit charity, human resource development organization with a mandate to assist Aboriginal people in preparing for, acquiring and maintaining quality employment. CAHRD is the urban Aboriginal Human Resource Development Agreement (AHRDA) holder for the City of Winnipeg providing service to over 2,400 people per year, placing an average of 1200 in employment and 500 in training on a yearly basis. CAHRD has been providing services to Winnipeg's Aboriginal community for over 30 years.
For more information on the federal government's Homelessness Partnering Strategy, visit their website at www.homelessness.gc.ca.