Page 31 - 2020 October Report

Resilience
Grant Program Committee minutes (draft) (8)
design, training and learning resources. The 2 main cornerstones are the training course called Understanding the Early Years and a related set of illustrated cards known as The Toolbox. Some of the Understanding the Early Years content is generated through interviews with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers and early learning professionals and then incorporated into video segments. The Toolbox outlines simple conversation topics, parenting strategies and playful learning activities for families, and it is tailored for each community. The training is critical to creating employment opportunities for Indigenous communities, especially women.
A new initiative that will launch this fall is called the Training and Resources for Early Education (TREE) Network, which was developed to address the lack of culturally appropriate training and resources available to Indigenous early learning professionals. These training courses and resources will be featured on the TREE Network’s online hub.
A question was raised: Who are JSF’s co-investors in The Early Years? Chloe said there are 2 family foundations who are longtime supporters of MFI, as well as an anonymous Toronto-based foundation. Another question involved the role of trainers. MFI remains involved in the training aspect simply to ensure the content remains high quality and that community members have the necessary expertise. Ultimately, the training is community-based. When asked about the gap The Early Years is working to close, Chloe replied that the government’s early childhood programs don’t start until the child reaches age 3. Culturally, life and learning begin at conception. Also, the programs only reach about half of the 600 First Nations in Canada. Meanwhile, having someone in community helps local organizations access existing services. After their presentation, Chloe, Jessica and Carlana left the meeting.
Malcolm opened the floor for discussion. The program is unlike others in JSF’s Indigenous funding portfolio, but it is meeting a huge need. Programs that JSF has supported through MFI in the past, such as the Principal’s Course, have become culturally embedded, and the hope is that this one will also.
The Committee approved the application as presented from MFI requesting CDN $300,000 over 3 years for continued support of The Early Years program.
Chloe, Jessica and Carlana returned to the meeting. In a separate application, MFI requests CDN $1,200,000 over 4 years in support of 3 business-centered programs: The Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program (AYEP) for 11th and 12th graders; the 60-hour Indigenous Entrepreneurship Course for aspiring adult entrepreneurs; and the Financial Wellness Course for managing personal finances. The application states that MFI will secure CDN $250,000 in matching funds each year for 4 years.
Carlana explained that AYEP, which has been in existence since 2007, will be renamed the Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship Program. It is offered during the last 2 years of high school and has 6,800 participants. It provides Indigenous high school students with courses that teach them how to develop entrepreneurial opportunities that can lead to business ownership, as well as to help them prepare for the working world regardless of their career choice. Prior to the pandemic, 51 schools offered AYEP including 7 First Nations schools. Between 75% and 80% of students complete their credits. Those who leave do so because their families move or, in many cases, because of pregnancy. Several supplementary resources have been developed on topics such as how to develop a tourism venture or a food venture.
The Indigenous Entrepreneurship Course is a 60-hour course based on the 220-hour high school course, and it is intended for adults. It is written at a 6th-grade reading level, and it is offered at no cost to students. The Correctional Service of Canada is piloting it. Including the CSC pilot locations, the course was offered at 28 locations last school year.
Financial Wellness is the newest program. It is also a 60-hour course geared for adults, and it teaches the basic elements of entrepreneurship including the development of an individual business plan.
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