Why are so many of Canada’s young people out of work?

Links to the site: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/why-are-so-many-of-canada-s-young-people-out-of-work-1.1370260

Media: CBC News

This article provides an in-depth insight on why so many young Canadians are out of work. Although it applies to general population, I am certain that indigenous youth face the similar problems, which makes this article somewhat applicable to indigenous youth’s career outlook as well.

How does CANADA compare? Employment Outlook 2017

Links to the site: https://www.oecd.org/canada/Employment-Outlook-Canada-EN.pdf

Media: OECD Org.

This report provides an general outlook of Canada employment with inclusion of government actions in improving the labor market etc. In addition, the scorecard also gives reader an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the Canadian labor market which is very useful for Indigenous career training.

For young Canadians, a new reality: dealing with ‘job churn’

Links to the site: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/jobs/canadian-youth-working-low-paid-temporary-jobs/article32579528/

Media: The Globe and Mail

This article furthers the discussion of youth struggling with job security and career development. Although it is not specific to indigenous community, this article pictures a realistic labor market for young Canadians. This picture is applicable to indigenous community.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

Links to the site: http://www.careersinconstruction.ca/en/why-construction/opportunities-indigenous-people

Media: Careers in Construction

This website introduces construction jobs to indigenous communities, which very much highlight the stereotype of aboriginal workers, many of them are employed in constructions. While I think that the website itself is very practical, it seems to target youth with high school education only.

Indigenous Corporate Training

Links to the site: https://www.ictinc.ca/

Media: Indigenous Corporate Training

This company provides indigenous corporate training that tailors to the need of each organization. The founder of the company is an aboriginal person himself with decent background in business management and professorship from Royal Roads University. His Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples© provides customized training for indigenous people.

1. Indigenous doctor incorporates traditional practices in modern medicine

Links to the site: http://www.cbc.ca/radio/unreserved/when-indigenous-healing-practices-meet-modern-medicine-1.3530072/indigenous-doctor-incorporates-traditional-practices-in-modern-medicine-1.3537445

Media: CBC Radio

This radio interviews Dr. Marcia Anderson DeCoteau about how she incorporates traditional medical practices in modern medicine. While combining the two practices, she experiences that many indigenous patients are afraid of racism towards them in the healthcare system, but would like to treat in the traditional ways. This is a case to show how important it would be to put indigenous knowledge into real practice.

2. Forget Smokey the Bear: How First Nation fire wisdom is key to megafire prevention

Links to the site: http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/british-columbia/fire-fighting-first-nations-firekeepers-annie-kruger-penticton-bc-wildfire-mega-fire-1.4205506

Media: CBC News

This article describes how an indigenous firekeeper can be the key to B.C.’s recent out-of-control wildfire. A firekeeper, is a traditional career in aboriginal communities, who light up fires on purpose to keep trees and forests in a healthy shape. In the article, the author goes on stating that North America cracked down the firekeeper practice in the early 20th century as the governments did not believe in such practice and concerned that it will cause more fires instead. However, the author stated that the stop of this practice might be the reason why today’s wildfires are more and more uncontrollable. This article provides a great edge that can be used to prove the usefulness of traditional knowledge.

3. Junk Science Week: Treating aboriginal ‘traditional knowledge’ equal to science in environmental reviews can make things far worse

Links to the site: http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/junk-science-week-treating-aboriginal-traditional-knowledge-equal-to-science-in-environmental-reviews-can-make-things-far-worse/wcm/bff40f1d-7b8d-456c-a60e-a5091b70a339

Media: Financial Post

In this post, author Frances Widdowson strongly opposes the Canadian government’s equal recognition of ‘indigenous knowledge’ and ‘western science’ by argueing that the traditional is not evidence-based science. The author questions that the traditional is rather protoscientific and can not be verified and justified. While I cannot agree with the author on many of his statements, I do think that he is correct that the government should not just simply recognized the two are equally important.

4. Understanding Indigenous Canadian Traditional Health and Healing

Links to the site: http://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2049&context=etd

Media: Library and Archives Canada

This research study provides an in-depth understanding of traditional health and healing practice in Canada. The researcher explores the topic by conducting interviews with 16 indigenous people who uses ceremonies, medicines, teachings and elders from their cultures in their healing work. It is useful for us to learn about their traditional practices and generalize to other fields.

5. Understanding Indigenous Canadian Traditional Health and Healing

Links to the site: http://www.muiniskw.org/pgIssues01_Firekeeper.htm

Media: Mikmaw Spirit

This article provides a systematic overview of the job duties of firekeeper, as well as how a firekeeper mentor and teach future students of the field. Using this as an example, I can apply the similar practice into other professional training fields.

1. Aboriginal Professional Association of Canada

Resources available: Recognized Aboriginal Professionals, Career Opportunities, Professional services

Links to the site: http://www.aboriginalprofessionals.org/

Usefulness for research on Indigenous knowledge: useful to get to know indigenous people career path development

Media: Aboriginal Professional Association of Canada

Community reality: This website provides assistance, professional networking and successful stories of aboriginal professionals. It is useful to study how to develop aboriginal career development programs.

2. BC’s Career Guide for Aboriginal People

Resources available: Career training, career planning, support system provided by government, self-employment resources

Links to the site: https://www.workbc.ca/getmedia/98d742a2-ce3e-41a1-a028-87eed3e0cfef/bc-s-career-guide-for-aboriginal-people_march_2016.pdf.aspx

Usefulness for research on Indigenous knowledge: useful to know government’s approach on job development for aboriginal people

Media: WorkBC

Community reality: This guide provides hands-on approach to assist aboriginal people launching their careers. By reading through the guide, we will be aware what government is providing to aboriginal people, and tailor professional development programs based on that.

3. Indigenous Works

Resources available: Workplace Inclusion System, Case Studies, InclusionWorks16 Annual Event

Links to the site: https://indigenousworks.ca/en

Usefulness for research on Indigenous knowledge: provides insight on how organizations include aboriginal culture in workplaces

Media: Indigenous Works

Community reality: This website provides strategic guidelines to organizations to include and incorporate aboriginal cultures into their workplaces.

4. Aboriginal Career Development in Canada: Techniques Also Applicable to Other Clients Facing Barriers

Resources available: career development techniques

Links to the site: http://diversityintheworkplace.ca/wordpress/2016/01/04/aboriginal-career-development-in-canada-techniques-also-applicable-to-other-clients-facing-barriers/

Usefulness for research on Indigenous knowledge: career advancement techniques that work for aboriginal communities

Media: Diversity! In the Workplace

Community reality: This article provides an overview of how to effectively assist aboriginal people in developing their career plan.

5. Programs for Aboriginal People

Resources available: current available career development programs for aboriginal people

Links to the site: http://www.cfeebc.org/resource/aboriginal-people/

Usefulness for research on Indigenous knowledge: overview of what BC provides for young aboriginal people to develop their careers

Media: BC Centre for Employment Excellence

Community reality: This webpage provides an up-to-date resources on publicly-funded employment programs available to aboriginal people.