Staff
Making connections between First Nations’ communities and organizations is the aim of a “Partnerships and Information Forum” slated this Thursday at La Place Rendez-Vous here.
The forum, which runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., is a partnership between Shooniyaa Wa-Biitong and the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry.
It has been held in Kenora and Thunder Bay previously, and now is being held in Fort Frances after local MNDMF officer Jane Gillon thought it was a good idea and asked if it could be held here, too.
“The objective, really, is to bring together information on the different programs and services, mostly related to building a community’s capacity, whether that be employment or job opportunities, training, economic development, that kind of program,” noted Gillon.
“To bring them all together in one place, and invite participants from the various communities or community organizations to come out.
“I am really pleased to be partnering with Shooniyaa Wa-Biitong. It’s been great,” Gillon added.
“I worked with them a little bit on the Kenora one and it’s great to build some relationships.”
Gillon said similar forums have been held here before, but they weren’t targeted at First Nations or as focused on community capacity building.
As to who should attend, Gillon said it’s geared towards economic development officers, training officers, and program officers from the different First Nation organizations, as well as people looking at developing businesses.
The forum will feature presentations by numerous agencies, including the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, FedNor, the Canada Ontario Resource Development Agreement, Rainy River Future Development Corp., the Ministry of Health Promotion, and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada;
Also participating are the Shooniyaa Wa-Biitong Training and Employment Centre for the Treaty #3 area, the Business Development Bank of Canada, Ministry of Natural Resources, and Aboriginal Business Development Canada.
Gillon said the last hour of the forum will feature a special presentation on successful proposal writing by Nancy Tulloch of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
She added it will be valuable to anybody looking at writing a proposal to a government organization, or putting together a business plan.
Tulloch will provide “different tips on what they should do and how they should go about it,” noted Gillon.
“It’s generic . . . it would be for any kind of program,” she explained.
Seating is limited so those interested in attending the forum are urged to register as soon as possible by calling 1-800-545-5113.
