Communicating with First Nations people workshop was hosted on June 13, 2011 at the Wetaskiwin Literacy office. The project is collaboration between Alberta Employment & Immigration, Wetaskiwin Community Literacy Program, City of Wetaskiwin, and the Wetaskiwin Public Library.
Total number of participants: 35 (2-3: aboriginal origin 32: non-aboriginal origin)
Number of organizations represented: 21 (RCMP, Boys and Girls Club, Horizons Centre, Friends of Reynolds Alberta Museum, ATCO Pipelines, Wetaskiwin District Association for Community Service, County of Wetaskiwin, Hospital, Wetaskiwin Community Literacy Program, Wetaskiwin Health Foundation, Hope Mission, Person with Development Delays - Central Region, Communication Knots, Addictions-Mental Health, Central Alberta Child and Family Services Authority, Catholic Social Services, City of Edmonton, Servus Credit Union, College, Community volunteer/leader-Bert Horvey, Alberta Employment and Immigration, and the Wetaskiwin Public Library.)
Participants were from the following areas: Ponoka, Wetaskiwin, Camrose, Red Deer, County of Wetaskiwin, Leduc, Lac La Biche, Westerose, Hobbema, and Edmonton.
Number of organizations represented: 21 (RCMP, Boys and Girls Club, Horizons Centre, Friends of Reynolds Alberta Museum, ATCO Pipelines, Wetaskiwin District Association for Community Service, County of Wetaskiwin, Hospital, Wetaskiwin Community Literacy Program, Wetaskiwin Health Foundation, Hope Mission, Person with Development Delays - Central Region, Communication Knots, Addictions-Mental Health, Central Alberta Child and Family Services Authority, Catholic Social Services, City of Edmonton, Servus Credit Union, College, Community volunteer/leader-Bert Horvey, Alberta Employment and Immigration, and the Wetaskiwin Public Library.)
Participants were from the following areas: Ponoka, Wetaskiwin, Camrose, Red Deer, County of Wetaskiwin, Leduc, Lac La Biche, Westerose, Hobbema, and Edmonton.
Feedback
What were the topics you found most useful and interesting?
· The historical overview as helpful and Bruce did a great job of being fair in his presentation - didn't portray aboriginals as victims entirely and was fair and thorough with the historical events.
· Where the tribes are the same and where they are different
· Snippets about native beliefs
· Topics about evolution, ecological and environment circumstances. The influence of natives on European settlers, influence of Europeans on Canada
· The historical beginnings for 'policies'; the names of significant leaders of the native communities
· Learning of the barriers of the First Nations people
Future learning opportunities request
· The next process in helping businesses to welcome and understand native culture into the workforce.
· More about How to communicate effectively with today's First Nations people
· Cultural differences that affect workplace behavior
· Treaty information
· Health characteristics of First Nations and modern living habits
· More about native spirituality, native healing, medicine
· Efforts being made to heal families, family systems, residential schools experience, drugs/alcohol abuse recovery
· More about native cultures and customs
· How to improve relations with First Nations
· I would like to learn more
