Tag Archives: government

City of Vancouver – Directory of Aboriginal services and context

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The City of Vancouver’s department of Social Planning has created a directory of Aboriginal resources entitled:  Aboriginal Inventory of Services and Context. The website helps city staff and Vancouverites develop an understanding of the activities and stakeholders relating to Aboriginal issues within Vancouver. The directory is intended to help Vancouverites make informed decisions about how the City can best support the Aboriginal community.

Each report (see partial list below) provides: a) relevant background on each topic b) a list of the organizations and communities involved with that topic  and c) info on partnerships, committees, trends, and gaps in services

Much of the research cited in the reports was conducted by locals and provides excellent information about Vancouver’s Indigenous communities that isn’t readily available anywhere else.  I found this site to be indispensable in writing my paper about Vancouver’s urban Aboriginal youth.  Here are some of the documents (of dozens) available on the site:

  • Coast Salish First Nations html PDF
  • Outreach and Engagement html PDF
  • Arts, Culture & Multimedia html PDF
  • Education html PDF
  • Elders html PDF
  • Two-Spirit / LGBTQ html PDF *Some Aboriginal people refer to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-gendered people as Two-spirited.

Module 3- Tripartite Forum

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http://www.tripartiteforum.com/

This forum serves as a place to resolve common concerns between the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq community and governments both at the provincial and federal level.  Created in 1997, the main purpose of the union is to create a common vision and set of goals that will support the various communities in being “vibrant Mi’kmaw communities through partnership, commitment and respect”.

What makes this website and the included documents and resources valuable is the constant focus on the need for all agencies (both indigenous and non-indigenous) to work together, collaborate, and respect others at all times.  Below is an image taken from the website that describes how all of the various committees within the forum are connected.  In connection to module’s 3 focus on aboriginal youth, notice the role/focus of youth within the diagram.  The main goal associated with youth are to ensure their success by scaffolding them during their path of life-long learning.  In doing so, the forum hopes to involve youth in community decision making and governance as well as to encourage active healthy living.

Image taken from the Mi'kmaq-Nova Scotia-Canada Tripartite Forum 2006 Strategic Direction Document

Tripartite Forum : A partnership of: Mi’kmaq + Nova Scotia + Canada. Tripartite Forum : A partnership of: Mi’kmaq + Nova Scotia + Canada. Retrieved July 7, 2011, from http://www.tripartiteforum.com/

Library & Archives Canada

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Library and Archives Canada has a searchable database of historical government and private works, both published and non-published, for you to explore. Looking at the “archives” section will bring up photos and and documents often viewable online. The institution was brought together through federal legislation in 2004, tying together the National Library of Canada and the National Archives of Canada. They are mandated to provide a wealth of information and memory accessible to all Canadians. As one would expect, their collection is broad and could be of interest to many avenues of research. They do have a specific section on Aboriginal Peoples including databases, research aids, and virtual exhibitions.

"MIKAN 3200866: Man with boy (probably Allakariallak/Nanook and Phillipoosie)"

Aboriginal Canada Portal – Education

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Aboriginal Canada Portal is a Government of Canada website focussing on all aspects of Aboriginal life in Canada.  The education section includes various resources.  Students are able to find information on financial assistance, teachers can access Aboriginal education resources, and parents can find Aboriginal schools from all across Canada.

Government of Saskatchewan and First Nations Launch Task Force

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I still have not defined my research interest so I am posting this item of interest that I came across the other day as it relates to indigenous education. The federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and the Government of Saskatchewan have formed a task force on education and employment. The task force will try to identify ways to eliminate gaps in education and employment outcomes for Saskatchewan First Nation and Metis people over a one year period starting this fall.

Metis National Council

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The Metis National Council website is a great starting point for anything Metis in Canada. Metis are sometimes referred to as the forgotten North American aboriginal group as they are caught between their two cultures: North American First Nation and European. The site has a wealth of information and links about Metis Governments, Metis Rights and Metis Constitution as well as links to provincial Metis Nation websites: Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC.

There are links to some great videos about Metis including: Metis Summer (A Journey through Time) Metis Nation Veterans (No Longer Forgotten) and videos about Metis Heroes such as Harry Daniels.

This is a good place to learn about Metis and a starting point for doing research on Metis people and culture.

Aboriginal Education in British Columbia

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British Columbia Aboriginal Education Home Page

Even if you’re not from British Columbia, I’m sure that aboriginal education in the UBC region will be of interest to you.  The government of British Columbia tracks their support of aboriginal data with qualitative reports, which I found interesting.  Obviously any government website will be political in nature, but I’m sure there are a number of important items to be extracted from this informative website.