Page 80 - Walking_The_Red_Road

Cross-Cultural Partnerships Build
Relationships and Boost Economic
Opportunities
During the project we created working groups focused on labour and employment, housing and homelessness, migration and poverty, and justice and education. We also have one emerging in mental health and Elders health.
Our Labour and Employment Working Group
was formed by our CAC members, including YES Employment and the Labour Market Group. The Labour Market Group played a pivotal role in motivating the working group and drew on its network, including the Chamber of Commerce, the North Bay Business Centre and the Multicultural Centre. The Friendship Centre also actively participated through the Apatisiwin program, along with the U-ACT Research Team.
We were also fortunate to draw on the expertise
of someone who had participated in the development of the Federal Urban Aboriginal Strategy and Cultural Awareness Training for employers, mainly in the areas of mining, forestry, business and education.
Considering Aboriginal peoples are the fastest growing population in Ontario, and many “Ring of Fire” activities, or large industry-related initiatives take place on or near neighbouring First Nations communities, our Working Group believed that it was imperative that partnerships and collaborative relationships between Aboriginal and non- aboriginal partners be supported and strengthened. Together, we created “The Employers’ Learning Lodge Information Series” which included three events designed to promote understanding of Aboriginal culture by North Bay employers.
The overall goal of the series was to foster
collaboration between Aboriginal and non-
aboriginal organizations by promoting Aboriginal-related funding opportunities that support partnership development or provide access to cross-cultural training resources.
Walking the Red Road | REPORT OF THE URBAN ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES THRIVE PROJECT | 80
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I’ve been at this a long time. Working on improving Aboriginal and non-aboriginal relations in the business community. There has been so much progress since the beginning of [U-ACT]. They are doing really good work.
Member, Labour Market Working Group
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We are sitting at the table and working with organizations we have been trying to work with for years.
Member, Labour Market Working Group