Tag Archives: Skills Training

Module 2 Post 1: First Nations Technology Council

While searching for information related to technology uniting indigenous communities I stumbled across The First Nations Technology Council, who’s primary goals are to:

1. To support the number of First Nations communities accessing high or higher speed connectivity.

2. To increase the digital literacy of First Nations individuals and communities to ensure they benefit fully from technology.

3. To work with First Nations communities to determine their unique information management needs and to partner with qualified companies or agencies to develop appropriate programs and software to meet these needs.

4. To provide First Nations communities with technology support as close to them as possible and in a format that meets them at their technical literacy level. (source link: http://fnbc.info/about-first-nations-technology-council-0)

The site provides links to many sponsors and partners that support their agenda, which includes: First Nations Health Authority, First Nations Summit, UBC Learning Circle, Indigena Solutions.

FNTC is a non-profit organization that was incorporated in 2009. One of the things they do is facilitate annual technology summits for FN communities.

They have what’s called Project Raven which “provides technical skills development and employment opportunities to Aboriginal people living in various areas of BC. If you are an under-employed (less than 20 hrs per week) or un-employed Aboriginal, Metis or Inuit adult living on or off reserve in BC,  you are eligible for training through this program.

Mod 1:1 Aboriginal Education

In 521 this week we reflected on the question: Educational goals: Are Indigenous communities different? The goal of education is to create well rounded individuals who contribute positively to society. I think that this is the goal of any of education system however the means by which we achieve our goals are different and the nature of the society we are contributing to may be different. It is easy to see that we are not achieving this goal with our current education system. According to the 2007/2010 Labour Force Survey, the dropout rate among First Nations people living off reserve, Metis and Inuit was 14% higher than non-Aboriginal people.

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/81-004-x/2010004/article/11339-eng.htm

Our education system is doing things to close the achievement gap including specialized career training for aboriginal youth. Programs such as Harper’s Skills and Training for Aboriginal Youth  help First Nations youth get and maintain employment which is empowering for the individuals involved and for younger First Nations students who will benefit by having positive role-models and examples of success.

http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1371048149693/1371048172737