Indigenous Inclusion Everything You Need Know

In this article, you will learn about indigenous inclusion the path of success for indigenous communities of Canada. The success of any country depends on the success of its peoples, all communities (whether it is indigenous communities or nonindigenous communities), businesses, and industries. The economic growth of Canada is directly proportional to the growth of the people of Canada.

In this post, we will discuss the following points one by one:

• What is Indigenous inclusion?
• What is the Indigenous inclusion strategy?
• Benefits of indigenous inclusion.
• Where to start?

What is indigenous inclusion?

Indigenous inclusion is building relationships between indigenous people and nonnative people for the economic development of aboriginal communities. It’s a way to create an environment to explore, learn, and communicate with the communities that have not been recognized by the country for a long time.

Aboriginal inclusivity brings natives and non-natives together. So, they can share differences in views, culture, and other aspects of their lives. It builds mutual understanding, open mind, heart and lessens the difference without being judgemental.

The Canadian government runs different programs for indigenous inclusion and reconciliation of indigenous communities of Canada.

What is the Indigenous inclusion strategy?

It is better to have a plan or strategy before applying the indigenous inclusion theory. Indigenous inclusion strategy is the process that allows you to determine goals and objectives. A strategic approach allows you to focus on the predefined goals for indigenous community development.

The main Goals and Objectives of Indigenous inclusion strategy

Improve Relations:

Develop a respectful relationship with indigenous communities, partners, businesses, and nations.

Education & Awareness:

Increase knowledge and awareness about the indigenous people and communities through awareness activities and campaigns.

Indigenous Economic Inclusion:

Help indigenous communities’ businesses by making them aware of available business opportunities, procurement opportunities, and collaboration with giant industries.

Benefits of Indigenous Inclusion:

• Discover and grow from the history
• More solidarity community
• Trade possibilities (under-tapped buyer demand)
• The underrepresented pool of skills
• Branding to attract talents from a wide range of talents
• Evolve an Employer of Preference

Where to start?

We can start indigenous inclusion at the workplace, university, cultural, and personal levels.

At Workplace:

• Hire indigenous people at the workplace
• Include them in team meetings and discussions
• Provide training for management-level jobs
• Mentorship programs
• Offer highly paid jobs
• Create a work culture for them
• Make policies for them
• Acknowledge and celebrate cultural activities
• Conversions with indigenous colleagues

At University:

• Promote indigenous inclusion in universities
• Make colleges more welcoming and safe for indigenous students
• Indigenous cultural and social programs
• Indigenous support centers
• Academic counseling
• Workshop for employment of indigenous students
• First Nation, Metis, Inuit Community Group
• Aboriginal Liaison/Admission Office

Conclusion:

Indigenous inclusion is the best way to connect with indigenous communities of Canada. For the comprehensive development of the Indigenous communities such as First Nations, Metis, and Inuits, we need to promote an indigenous inclusion program at a larger scale. So, every individual or citizen of Canada contributes to making this happen soon.

How Do We Eat Inflation? Indigenous Inclusion ITFC

Canada is the world’s second-largest country by total area. Various Indigenous peoples inhabited what is now Canada for thousands of years before European colonization. Before that time, Indigenous peoples were nomadic and followed their source of food for survival. Now, due to colonization, they follow the signs to the grocery store and if they are able, pay absorbent prices for their daily nutrition and staples.

As a highly developed country, Canada has the seventeenth-highest, per-capita income globally. We also hold the thirteenth-highest ranking in the Human Development Index. Its advanced economy is the tenth largest in the world, relying chiefly upon its abundant natural resources and well-developed international trade networks.

With that information laid out in front of us, there should never be a child feel hunger or a parent know the fear of Food Insecurities in Canada.

FOOD INSECURITY:

The state of fear of being without access to sufficient food, food of an adequate quality, nutritious food or affordable food, enough to meet one’s basic needs.
(7 out of 10 Indigenous children go to bed hungry)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced tough questions from the Conservative opposition MP’s on inflation and the rising cost of living. Global News reported Trudeau commenting that his government has a plan to tackle inflation and the rising cost of living, which includes more investment in housing and childcare. Housing is necessary, but what benefit is a childcare formula to the parents not able to find jobs? While being helpful to some, this will not put food on the table for most Indigenous peoples in Canada. The rising cost of living is frequently seen to be a top concern to Canadians; however, many are not aware and even perhaps unconcerned with the dire situation that has been affecting northern Indigenous peoples.

The following information would help us understand why if we didn’t already know:

Gas/Diesel:
NWT Gas — $1.67 Diesel — $1.61AB
Gas — $1.55 Diesel — $1.34

These prices do not appear to be that big a stretch, but keep in mind the NG (Nunavut Government) does the purchasing for all the provinces with a standardized price across the board. They negotiate a contractual price based on volume for the entire year.

Electricity: is a wide range of prices across the country per 1000 kilowatt:

Average monthly bill in Manitoba is approximately $99. In Nunavut the average monthly cost is $375. It is becoming increasingly difficult for mid-income and especially low-income Canadians to cover the monthly utility bills.

With a 70% child poverty rate of those living above the 60th parallel, how can people possibly cover the high cost of living in a normal month. Added to that now, the severe inflation spite happening in the last half of 2021.

In 2011, the Government of Canada launched Nutrition North Canada — a food retail subsidy program for isolated northern communities.

The Nutrition North Program replaces the 50-year-old Food Mail Program, in which the costs of transporting grocery items to remote northern communities were subsidized by the federal Indian and Northern Affairs Department.

The Nutrition North subsidy instead goes to retailers, which in turn negotiate their own freight rates with airlines. Retailers are then expected to pass on savings from the subsidy to consumers.

Quttiktuq MLA Ron Elliott, the Nunavut government’s elected representative for the High Arctic, worried about the cost of food and other essentials in his region.”It would be nice to have people all across Canada realize that even within our own country, the ability to … put food on the table for your family is almost becoming impossible,” Elliott told CBC News on Friday.”The high cost of living in the communities, it makes you really think, you know, how within our own country can we allow this to continue to happen?”

That statement was made by Ron Elliot in 2011. What has been done to upgrade this program in 10 years? What about this situation in an economically sound and thriving country like Canada, says this is okay? Why do our Canadian brothers and sisters to go to bed at night hungry, while billions of taxpayers dollars are sent across the seas to help other countries?

On this cold day, December 21 of 2021, we know there is the better way to assist our Indigenous people feel part of an inclusive country, where food and a warm house is a part of daily comfort not a struggle to exist?

Food Insecurity cannot continue! It truly is Time for Change in our country.

For a time, actually for centuries, we could continue doing what we do, pat our own backs knowing the world sees Canadians as good, kind, benevolent people! For a time we have…. However, the time has come for serious change to bring Canada’s First peoples up out of poverty and strife. For us to continue as we are, makes us no different than the “Haves, Have NOT” countries we send billions of dollars in aid to.

In 2019, CBC Marketplace televised a shopping test between two women, one residing in Nunavut and the other in Winnipeg MB. They shared in discussion information surrounding the cost of groceries. Each woman bought the same grocery items, then compared the total bill. Despite the subsidies Pameolik, the lady from Nunavut, paid twice the amount for the same items as Meagan from Winnipeg. She stated she makes over $100,000 per year as a Finance Office, yet some weeks is not certain how she will meet her cost-of-living bills. She knows of many families struggling and friends of her children that go to bed hungry at night. Despite the subsidies, Statistics Canada data suggests food insecurity in the North has increased since the program was established. In Nunavut, the number of children living with food insecurity went from 50 per cent in 2011, to over 70 per cent today.
The Government, after colonizing our remote communities, now suggests country food should be added to the diet to curb costs and has put subsidies in place for the tools and equipment such as bullets as well as funding stores and suppliers needed to provide caribou, seal, whale and other fish such as Arctic Char to the people. Even that cost has risen so high, it has become difficult for most to hunt as they once used to.

While Statistics Canada estimates the consumer price index for food has risen 2.7 per cent over the past year, the Dalhousie University team says it has found the inflation rate is closer to five per cent. Both groups do agree that meat has seen the sharpest price jump compared to other foods. However, they both also agree, they have seen a huge rise in price on all products across the board.

Inuit Nunangat Food Security Strategy, says 76 per cent of Inuit in Canada experience food insecurity, the highest rate of any Indigenous population in a developed country in the world. Inuit food systems changed drastically starting in the early 1900s through colonial policies like settlement programs, relocation and residential schools.

A statement in July 2021, from Natan Obed, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) president was published by The Canadian Press as having said, “Inuit food insecurity is not a new issue, and it amounts to a shameful human rights violation that Canada is legally obligated to remedy. Governments have stood by for far too long, prioritizing incremental actions and investments that do not remedy the root causes of food insecurity.”

Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture Inflation Price hike info:

Meat — 51.8%
Groceries staples and dry goods — 15.7
Vegetables — 10.5%
Fruits — 9.1%
Fish and Seafood — 4.7%
Bakery — 4.3%
Dairy products — 4.0%

Lumber futures on a continuous contract basis have soared 95% since November 15 when prices started steadily climbing. Prices have reached $1,044 per thousand board feet compared with nearly $540 in mid-November. Other construction materials have also spiked in price.

It’s Christmas! A time when people gather. Canadians see the yummy food and warmth in their home as the biggest part of that celebratory time. Imagine planning and preparing those foods with these price comparisons between a northern Saskatchewan grocery store and Nunavut store for the same items.

How do WE eat inflation?

With this solid information in front of us today, 4 days away from Christmas, as we go about our preparation, perhaps it’s also a good time to consider….Where can Canada make a change? What will bring the swiftest, largest impact on these dire conditions? The first thought that comes to mind is economic holistic inclusion!

Government and Corporate Canada must meet in a genuine, transparent and respectful inclusivity with all Indigenous peoples, remote or otherwise. Building a solid foundation beginning with education and training, while developing reliable employment opportunity is key! Jobs mean paycheques. That in turn, promotes confidence and a strong voice able to speak up for future needs. It will take time and effort on all levels, but it can and must be done.

It’s Time For Change is a trusted Canadian platform, melded together with experienced Indigenous Service providers who identify opportunity, employment services for both recruitment and job seekers (also, proudly poised to provide 300 Secondary Student employment positions in the 2022 summer season) and procurement connecting buyers and sellers.

It’s Time For Change also recognizes the desperate need for historical and factual teachings combined with inclusive solutions for all Canadian people. When we adopt the “ALL for one, and one for ALL” attitude so much about our economy will be accomplished and improved. When reconciliation and economic inclusion are the goal, all of Canada succeeds and excels. Let’s imagine for a moment all Canadian entities coming to a table of plenty, in understanding, hope and harmony. Each one fills their bowl, then brings with them their best offering. As they pass goodness around to each other, the sharing and respect being served fills the void and feeds the hunger of a nation.

Originally published at https://blog.itstimeforchange.ca on December 27, 2021.

Indigenous Inclusion-When talk is Not Enough!

 

There have been a great number of zoom meetings, symposiums and online conferences where Indigenous Inclusion is the topic of the day! I know because I have attended many of them.

I sign up hoping to find someone or some organization that is committed to putting themselves out there in an effort to make real change. I commend those who do organize and try to keep the conversation going. Without them I suspect the potential for real change diminishes. There is however a need to do more!

Indigenous Inclusion, the “textbook definition”:

Indigenous Inclusion is about building and fostering relationships with Indigenous people with other cultures. It is about creating a respectful environment to explore, learn, and communicate with a community that has been under-represented for a long time in history.

Bringing this one step forward we can introduce economic inclusion.

Economic Inclusion, the “textbook definition”:

Economic inclusion, the opening up of economic opportunities to under-served social groups!

Recently a well-respected Indigenous business leader who was speaking via Zoom, challenged the attendees to go outside the eco-system they created. You see, the attendees are all too familiar with themselves. The same group of like-minded people seem to gather, time and time again to talk and discuss the same topic.

His challenge resonated with me because it was not the first time, I had heard it. In fact, I have heard it many times in the council chambers of First Nations across the country, at Assembly meetings in almost every city in this country and within the halls of Parliament. In fact, it’s one of the main reasons I built the economic inclusion network, Itstimeforchange.ca.

With a single Indigenous partner and a group of people who believed we could effect real change, we began our journey to build a holistic solution addressing the economic inequalities Indigenous peoples, their communities and their businesses face.

Today, we are the number one referral by Google when searching Indigenous economic inclusion platform, the very space we know we must be in. We address the need to identify job opportunities for Indigenous peoples, create procurement opportunities and partnerships that expand the capacity of all parties involved. We have created an online economy where Indigenous peoples can share their knowledge and insights with employers in their back yard and across the country.

We did this without one dime of government money, we did this because it’s the right thing to do!

I am asking you to go outside of your eco-system, effect real change and share this post and the references to the platform and take action.

Indigenous Inclusion requires broad based participation from all Canadians!

Originally published at https://blog.itstimeforchange.ca on December 15, 2021.

Remote is the new Correspondence! Let’s get connected

Remote learning is not a new idea or way to learn. It has been a part of the curriculum for centuries, possibly as far back as the 1700’s. It was named “Correspondence” and although a slow and tedious process, it caught on and grew leaps and bounds, sweeping across the countries of the world.

One of the most prominent in its time was the “Society to Encourage Home Studies” in 1873. In 1888 adult, immigrant men entered correspondence learning to become state mine inspectors and foremen of a Pennsylvania coal-mining boom to alleviate a shortage of workers.

Correspondence in the states alone grew in twenty years to an enrollment of 2500 new students in 1893 and matriculated 72,000 new students by 1895. The growth was due to sending out complete textbooks instead of single lessons, and the use of 1200 aggressive in-person salesmen. By 1906 total enrollments at the expanded International Correspondence School had reached 900,000. Correspondence or Remote learning continues to grow today, from Grade school subjects to University degrees, all accessed online. I, myself, took Grade 9 Algebra via snail mail correspondence in 1974. Hmmm….What a difference a Zoom class would have made in my Algebra mark!

Do you remember the “ Draw Me “ ads of Tipsy the Turtle and Winky the Deer along with many other interesting characters in every newspaper and magazine in the 80's? Audrey Watters initiated this course to help budding artists see their potential, then offered an online art course after they sent in their version of these drawings. Ms. Watter found 3 characteristic qualities of distance education that remain reasonable today:

• First, that distance education is just as good, valid and high-quality as in person.
• Second, your earning potential will increase if you participate in this course of study.
• Third, that distance education is scalable to give access to students everywhere.
• In 2021 we can also add — frees up time allowing students to juggle work and class time when necessary, keeps cost and fees lower, less travel expense, ability to work at their own pace and remain in the comfort of their home

These are true of urban areas, however, still not the case in our rural and remote parts of Canada or the world for that matter.

Statistics Canada reports “40 percent of Canada’s workers found themselves working from home as pandemic lockdowns were enforced. That compares to less than 10 percent in 2018 who had the option to work a day or two a week from home.”

Whether e-Commerce itself would have moved us forward or Covid-19 has been the sole push, traditional classroom learning and jobs are rapidly moving from office settings to on-line capability. Economic booms and busts are long overdue to be a shared endeavor, for every Canadian, no matter their race or title. The future of connectivity through technically solid operations is looking brighter with an upswing in readily available teaching tools and learning opportunities. Many new options are on the horizon, in large part due to LEO’s scheduled installation and orbit by 2024 (as described in the previous “ LEO is out of this World “ blog). Many, many Indigenous lives will be changed in a positive, economic inclusive way with these new opportunities.

Let’s repeat a line we shared at the beginning of this blog regarding learning in the 1800’s, to show it’s relevance today when thinking of online learning and Indigenous inclusive economy… “although a slow and tedious process, it caught on and grew leaps and bounds, sweeping across the countries of the world”. With a holistic approach, Indigenous communities, regardless of their location in Canada are about to leap forward into the future.

It’s Time For Change is listening, watching closely, and being ready to liaise between Indigenous and non-Indigenous entities. Education, it’s delivery, well sourced honest information, and honorable inclusive negotiation is key.

Let’s all get connected!

Originally published at https://blog.itstimeforchange.ca on December 2, 2021.