1 Aboriginal Human Resource Development Opaskwayak Cree Nation Prepared by Carolynn Constant Training & Development Coordinator OCN Employment & Training Program P.O. Box 1000 THE PAS, Manitoba R9A 1L1 (204) (W) (204) (Cell) (204) (Fax)

2 Community Description 6 Hours North West of Winnipeg, Mb. Total membership of 4,508 with 68% on-reserve and 38% off. Adjacent to the Town of The Pas population of 6,000. Modern community infrastructure 14,000 acre land base with pending TLE $40M in community & business assets with 200+ Jobs Created: –200,000 sq ft Shopping Centre –$8M Hotel & Convention Centre –Casino on-reserve (Owned by Mb. First Nations) –20,000 sq ft Sobey’s Supermarket –Full service gas station & convenience store –Mid-size grocery store –OCN Blizzard Jr. A. Hockey Club & Arena (Ranked 1 st Nationally) –Gravel & Concrete Operation –120 Lot Trailer Court

3 Population Graph

4 Social Concerns In Spite of the Major Economic Development at OCN there are still serious social concerns which is being worked on. Rate of Dependency Comparison: –Town of The Pas Unemployment 4% –OCN Dependency on Social 41% Note: 1,100 men, women & children on SA Youth population: –43% Under 18 Years of Age –65% Under 30 Years of Age We will have to ensure there are adequate resources in place to provide 1,100 opportunities for employment, training and education within 5 years Justice: –75% Incarcerated Inmates in TPCI are Aboriginal Please note this is a regional facility and the inmate population is drawn from all of Northern Manitoba

5 Rationale & Values OCN’s Human Resource Development Strategy has a very basic mandate and that is by developing individuals, those individuals can therefore be empowered to not only care for themselves well, but also; their families and community. Also by providing as many developmental opportunities as possible, the community and its members will benefit, not only; educationally and economically, but also; become healthier and happier.

6 Background OCN established its own Training & Developmental Program in 1994/95. The initial year had an annual budget of $120, The program has developed very successful funding partnerships & linkages both within the First Nation and outside Funding Sources. The 2001/2002 annual budget was $1.8M and has been averaging over $1.5M annually.

7 Funding Formula The program may utilize as many as 4 funding sources for one client. The 2001/2002 annual budget utilized 30 funding sources. This format makes for a very complex program, however; it is necessary since each funding source has its own criteria. Formulas have been developed according to the criteria for each of the funding sources. These formulas can be applied to any other First Nation since the funding criteria is similar Nationally.

8 Employment & Training Social Assistance Partnership Although not all Training & Developmental funding is exclusively for Social Assistance clients, the funding that is allocated has created a very successful partnership between the Social Development Program and the Employment & Training Program with OCN. The Social Development Program contribution is nearly equal the AHRDS funding allocation for OCN. This partnership has been a major factor in leveraging additional outside funding sources. The result is the First Nation Aboriginal Human Resource Development Program funding is maximized by 100%

9 Employment & Training Funding Partnerships Aboriginal Human Resource Development National Child Benefit Work Opportunity Program Income Security Reform Aboriginal Social Assistance Training Program INAC Youth Programs Department of Justice CMP National Health & Welfare BFI & BHC Province of Manitoba New Careers Province of Manitoba Education & Training Province of Manitoba Youth Programs

10 Employment & Training Programs Job Placement College Sponsorship Short-Term / Night Courses Employment Transportation Subsidy Child Care Subsidy Orientation & Development Youth Programs Apprenticeship Training Equipment Subsidy Employment Enhancement Assistance

11 Funding Summary April, 1993 to March, 2002 AHRDC$3,417, % Social Development$2,392, % Other Sources$2,411, % Total Funding$8,221,972