TEACHER, TEACH ME — Its Time For Change

 The dependency ratio is an economic indicator of working-age to non-working-age people. It defines the number of people likely to depend on others for support.

• The dependency ratio is the total number of people too young or old to work, divided by the number of working-age people.
• Dependency ratios reveal the population breakdown of a country and how well dependents can be taken care of.
• Older citizens are becoming a larger percentage of dependency ratio, while the percentage of children being born is falling.

With every decade the dependency ratio grows higher. The higher the dependency ratio, the greater the burden. So how in today’s world, can the burden be lightened, rather than breaking our economical backs? How do we assist hard-working people who want to get out there and be a part of the solution? What do they need in their skill set to feel prepared and confident enough to join the workforce?

To start with, learning via on-line, although already in place in the largest part of Canada, will soon have the added availability of classes and courses, brought right to Indigenous communities and homes regardless of how remote they may be. The innovative and exciting news surrounding the launch of approximately 290 new satellites was brought forward in the LEO is out of this World blog. Times are changing, so must the way we teach and learn.

Itstimeforchange.ca is one of those highly innovative and specifically dedicated, Indigenous holistic, inclusive platforms. ITFC recognizes and understands the immediate need for expanded curriculum outlines, followed by training with solid plans that build successful outcomes, taught by Instructors with true knowledge of real-time needs and the heart of peoples needing it.

There are only a few years between now and the installations of LEO. This is a crucial time for many open and honest conversations, driven by the very people waiting for this inclusive and economically beneficial advancement, surrounding their requirements in education and training. It is more than time for the Government and management of the companies driving the economy hear, not just head nod, then work towards providing what is needed to promote change.

The learning system is yearning for an enhanced and expanded product overhaul. To become a reality for Indigenous students and workers alike, Government and Corporations (starting at the top down through to management) will need to sit at the same “Table of Respect” with Indigenous leaders and their peoples. When needs are heard in a collaborative and transparent way, honest, forward-thinking solutions are sure to evolve.

Within the Truth and Reconciliation 94 Calls to Action, at the very beginning of those Calls, points 6–12 are directly regarding Education, from Early Childhood Development to Post Secondary backlogs. That tells you right there, it is one of the top priorities for Indigenous people from all over this great and prosperous country. Chiefs, Leaders and Councillors have been seeking answers knowing the Peoples of Indigenous communities want to be educated, feel productive and know they are valued members of our national community, willing and able to hold up and lessen the dependency ratio burden. Should those with dreams and work goals have an expectation and an inclusive, integral part of the development of those solutions? Yes, that answer is a resounding yes!

Education, for the most part has been the same one-way street of learning. The course is set out and it’s up to the student to follow in detail, until completion. Moving forward, there will need to be a change in direction and delivery of teachings. Every area, every community, every individual may have different requirements. It’s time for change in a big way! Rather than the institute demanding people learn their way, it’s time for people to stand up and say “ Teacher, Teach ME!”

The footprint of learning is there to follow, however, communication, non-judgmental, open-minded conversations surrounding these necessities will be key in years to come.

Teaching and Instruction must have the ability to adapt to the way of learning and the way of living, while having a true connection to the heartbeat of the people wanting to learn. There must be a future built on trust that has not ever existed before. Indigenous peoples wherever they live, must have the same learning tools and confidence building skills as any other Canadian.

While the learner becomes ready to step into the workforce, It’s Time For Change also understands this is a new and somewhat scary thought and an often-intimidating process for people just getting started on their new path in the work world. It’s Time For Change recognizes the many challenges and stands beside the Indigenous people as they speak for their future. Indigenous Liaison Service Providers within It’s Time For Change platform, will be a driving force mediating and procuring the many prerequisites in the new learning toolbox.

Reconciliation can not only be about healing the past, it must also be about looking towards a brighter, economically positive and inclusive future. It’s Time For Change looks forward to facilitating and assisting in bringing that brighter future for you, to you and with you. Let’s all say it together, loud and long….

“Teacher, Teach ME!”

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

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.

Digital Trade / Services and the Indigenous Opportunity

 The Covid pandemic changed the way we work. The work from home revolution proved that employers could save money, access a more productive workforce and most importantly it proved that they could access human capital anywhere in the country. The remote workforce has and will impact the value of digital trade in Canada.

Platforms like ITFC that creates an environment for Indigenous service providers to engage and create economy contributing to the overall value of digital trade as a component of the Canadian
economy.

Though there is a framework established by the OEDC, WTO and IMF to measure the economic value of digital trade, they readily admit that there is no clear definition and thus it makes it hard to effectively measure.

According to a recent publication of the Conference Board of Canada one of the key findings of the most recent research is as follows:

Digital Trade in not just a simple substitution to conventional means of goods and services delivery. It also represents a new source of innovation, creativity and economic growth.

How can Canada’s Indigenous community benefit from movement?

Enhancing the digital capacity of Indigenous people in northern or remote communities by providing the internet and broadband infrastructure is the first step. The Canadian government has invested almost 1.5 billion dollars in Telesat Lightspeed that would bring internet, LTE and 5G to remote communities.(https://blog.itstimeforchange.ca/leo-is-out-of-this-world/ )This kind of investment will go along way in providing the confidence that employers will need to engage and mobilize an Indigenous remote workforce.

The opportunities for Indigenous peoples in remote areas of Canada are limitless. The ability to deliver short modular courses, now referred to as “Micro-Credentials” over the internet can
prepare underemployed individuals for emerging opportunities resulting from new collaborations with government, the private sector and Indigenous communities.

In platform sharing opportunities, like those available to Indigenous service providers on the ITFC inclusion platform provide opportunities for personal and professional growth that were not available before.

The Nominal GDP associated with digital economic activities in Canada totaled $109.7 billion in 2017, roughly 5.5 % of the total economy or the size of the wholesale industry.

That was 2017, the most recent study, imagine what it is today! If we as a country are moving towards a new relationship with Indigenous people and are committed to inclusion and engagement, Digital Trade has to be a part of the discussion. It must start with the policy makers and industry associations and business leaders.

Its Time for Change!

Originally published at https://blog.itstimeforchange.ca on November 30, 2021.

LEO is out of this World

 

If you have been on a computer at all, if you have live-streamed video or gamed, then you have heard the slang term “lag”. Oooh the dreaded lag!

The mere word itself brings on frowns and frustration knowing lag is a real thing in these modern computer times! We have put a man on the moon, but we can’t seem to technically stop the time delay between sending and receiving, especially at that precise moment where the evil villain can be captured or the best part of our favourite song is playing, then stops.

The real term is latency, which means a time delay between information being sent and the time it takes to receive it. It is the limited velocity which any physical interaction can propagate or transmit. The magnitude of this velocity is always less than or equal to the speed of light.

In reliable two-way communication systems, latency limits the maximum rate that information can be transmitted. There is often a limit on the amount of information that is “in-flight” at any one moment. In the field of human-machine interaction, solid, reliable latency has a strong effect on user satisfaction and usability. It has been less than acceptable and, in many areas, non-existent. That is about to change!

Futuristic ideas and concepts have advanced to real-time, our time! If the promise made by the Liberal government shortly ahead of the call for election holds true, $1.44 billion will be spent to enhance the online presence for rural and remote communities all across Canada.

LEO truly is out of this world!

Who is this Leo you might ask? LEO is the acronym used for “low earth orbit” satellites. They operate 35 times closer to the Earth than traditional telecommunications.

Telesat, an Ottawa-based global network, founded in 1969 operates a fleet of geostationary satellites. This cluster remains fixed over a service area 36,000 kilometers above the Earth. With the funds promised by the Liberal government, Telesat will add another 298 satellites to the atmosphere. This group of LEO’s is to be called “Lightspeed”. When Telesat has Lightspeed operational, they will enable broadband internet, LTE (which is 10 times faster than 3G), and 5G (which can be up to 25 times faster than 4G LTE) connectivity in Canada. The Lightspeed satellite project should be up and soaring by 2024. It will have the ability to connect approximately 40,000 households and offices in rural and remote regions.

What a great relief this will be for remote Indigenous peoples who have been seeking economic inclusion, engagement, and forward motion for their communities for far too long!

It’s Time For Change will be ready to help Indigenous remote communities with this economic “lift-off” when LEO is up in the skies hard at work. It’s Time For Change strategy and platform is built on opportunity, while helping remove long-standing barriers.

We provide these and more — Remotely:

1. Access to job postings for workers and employers alike
2. Skilled and experience-based liaison Indigenous Service Providers (ISP)
3. Procurement/Connecting buys with sellers
4. Learning and skill building based programs educating Management to Labourer
5. Web design (which is of great importance when introducing your community to the world via internet)
6. Engagement strategies, bridging Indigenous Partnerships with non-Indigenous groups to boost economic growth
7. Advertising within a community platform for the public and private sector of Canada
8. Comprehensive profile lists of Canada’s First Nation, Inuit and Metis communities allowing for unsurpassed connectivity working toward economic growth

Indigenous peoples refer to the Eagle as having the ability to soar highest in the sky, serving as a messenger for prayers to and from the Creator. Their abilities show great courage, strength, and vision and are skills important to First Nation cultures.

When the Eagle and LEO take flight, Indigenous peoples of Canada will finally have connectivity, engagement, and economic inclusion.

It’s Time For Change will be there to soar with you!

Originally published at https://blog.itstimeforchange.ca on November 29, 2021.

Aboriginal Liaison Officer — Indigenous Liaison Officer

An indigenous liaison officer works for the economic development of the indigenous peoples and communities. Aboriginal Liaison Officers provide emotional, social, and cultural support to Aboriginal communities such as Inuit, First Nations, Metis of Canada.

Requirements for an Indigenous Community Liaison Officer:

• Enjoy working with Indigenous peoples
• Excellent communication and consultation skills
• Of sound character
• Tolerable traffic/criminal record
• Mentally and physically fit

Education & Training for an Indigenous Liaison Officer

You can become an Indigenous community liaison officer in all provinces of Canada without formal qualifications, but employers normally expect Year 10.The Aboriginal people group contact official positions are Indigenous-explicit positions. Preparing is attempted at work and further review might be required. Training periods and requirements vary between the different provinces and territories of Canada. Contact the ItsTimeForChange to get the job as an indigenous liaison officer or to become or train as a liaison officer.

Jobs & Responsibilities of an Indigenous Community Liaison Officer

Indigenous community liaison officers:

• Build good communication between police and local aboriginal communities
• Help to resolve disputes involving police and Indigenous populations
• Advocate and teach police officers on cross-cultural awareness
• Apprise police on potential infringement and disorder regions and advise ways to stop crime and mischief
• Improve community awareness about policing duties and law and order issues
• Assist families attending Indigenous prisoners
• Provide a bridge between police and Indigenous persons and their families involved in the juvenile justice method
• Use relevant police powers and make prosecution briefs.

Specializations

Indigenous Community Liaison Officer

Indigenous community liaison officers liaise with Aboriginal people groups or people groups and the area or domain police powers to set up and support positive connections.

Working conditions for an Indigenous Liaison Officer

Native people group contact officials are needed to work shifts, including ends of the week and public occasions, and may serve in metropolitan and far off networks. Native people group contact officials generally have restricted police abilities, albeit in specific conditions they might help cops with law implementation undertakings like capture, search and confinement. All things considered, completely sworn individuals from the police power play out this capacity gaining practical experience in the contact job.

ItsTimeForChange (ITFC) is an economic inclusion network for economic development of the Indigenous communities of Canada. You can become an indigenous liaison officer or you can find indigenous liaison officers jobs here.

Article originally posted: https://itstimeforchange.medium.com/aboriginal-liaison-officer-indigenous-liaison-officer-d92776095116