Welcome to Our Gathering, 2021
Our Gathering kexwkexwntsút chet, tə sq̓əq̓ip is an annual event co-hosted by the First Nations Leadership Council, Indigenous Services Canada, and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada which provides a space for meaningful discussions between First Nations leaders, community members, and the Government of Canada. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s sessions were hosted virtually in March and June.
The First Nations Public Service Secretariat (FNPSS) team has been proud to support the Our Gathering, 2021 events on March 10 & 11 and June 23 & 24 by providing the virtual platform, logistics and planning, as well as technical support during sessions for all participants. If you have any questions about Our Gathering, 2021, feel free to contact the FNPSS team at og2021@fnps.ca.
This page acted as the hub for participants during the 2021 virtual events. Scroll down for information and resources from the June 23 and 24 sessions, as well as statistics from the March sessions.
The following organizations act as co-hosts for Our Gathering:
- Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) works collaboratively with partners to improve access to high-quality services for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. Their vision is to support and empower Indigenous peoples to independently deliver services and address the socio-economic conditions in their communities.
- Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) continues to renew the nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, government-to-government relationship between Canada and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis; modernize Government of Canada structures to enable Indigenous peoples to build capacity and support their vision of self-determination; and lead the Government of Canada’s work in the North.
- The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is comprised of the political executives of the BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN), the First Nations Summit (FNS), and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC). This group works together to develop coordinated approaches to issues relevant to First Nations communities throughout the province.
June 23 & 24 Session Snapshot
On June 23 and 24, 2021, for the second virtual gathering of 2021, representatives from First Nations and other levels of government came together to share and discuss a variety of topics tailored specifically for those in First Nations administration. Administration is an integral part of how Nations run day-to-day operations, and the work has only gotten more complicated during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, these sessions were designed to provide an opportunity for those who work in First Nations administration to connect directly with others from across the province with similar titles and to hold discussions with representatives from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) on a variety of topics relevant to Band Administration and the future of each of their nations.
Co-hosts Indigenous Services Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and the First Nations Leadership Council, as well as our Moderators Jessie Hemphill and Harold Tarbell, would like to thank all of you who attended this virtual event.
Day 1, June 23: Session Topics
- Panel on 10-Year Grants
- Nation-to-Nation sharing on capacity development and the journey to self-determination
- How can ISC work better with and serve First Nation Administrators
Day 2, June 24: Session Topics
- First Nations Public Service Secretariat (FNPSS) Info Session
- Professional and Institutional Development (P&ID) Session
- Concurrent Networking & Information Session Rooms
- Informal Networking session between First Nations and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) representatives
- Indigenous Community Support Fund - Information Session
June Session Resources
presentation - P&ID program
Traditional cultural Supports
Throughout Our Gathering, 2021, we have had conversations about a variety of topics that may weigh heavy on the minds and hearts of those in attendance, particularly during this extremely difficult year.
With that in mind, during both the June and March sessions, if any participants felt the need to step back from any of the sessions, we had a separate space available for participants to have one-on-one traditional cultural support sessions with trained First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) counsellors.
We would like to thank the organizations Tsow Tun Le Lum and the Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) for providing trained counsellors for the March 10 and 11 event as well as the June 23 and 24 sessions.
Health and Cultural Support Organizations
- Tsow Tun Le Lum (Helping House): Visit their website.
- Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS): Visit their website.
- The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA): Visit their website.
March 10-11 Session Snapshot
On March 10 and 11, 2021, representatives from First Nations and other levels of government came together to share and discuss a variety of topics including responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, Specific Claims, and Bill C-15 Canada’s proposed legislation to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Co-hosts Indigenous Services Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and the First Nations Leadership Council, as well as our Moderators Jessie Hemphill and Harold Tarbell, would like to thank all of you who attended this virtual event.
Day 1, March 10: Session Topics
- Communication “Best Practices” - Breakout Session
- Emergency Management “Responding to a Global Pandemic” - Breakout Session
- Education “Supporting First Nations Learners Through COVID-19” - Breakout Session
- Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women - Plenary
- Emergency Management “Community to Community Sharing” - Breakout Session
- Economic Development “Indigenous Economic Recovery Initiatives” - Breakout Session
Day 2, March 11: Session Topics
- Leadership Armchair Discussion - Plenary
- Specific Claims Update - Plenary
- UNDRIP Bill C-14 Update - Plenary
Quick Statistics about the March 10 and 11 Sessions
631 individuals registered for the event
347 registrants attended Day 1, and 323 attended Day 2
Over 135 different BC First Nations communities were represented, with 172 Chief or Council members and 185 First Nations administration staff registered
16 First Nations Elders participated
30 Speakers attended, representing a variety of First Nations communities, organizations, and the Government of Canada
5 First Nations youth registered
3 organizations provided traditional cultural supports, with 10 counsellors available during the entirety of each day for private support
24 volunteers supported the event
Social Feeds
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LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER! Join us for another Webinar Wednesday!
In this webinar, Scott McCann, Joshua Sutherland, and Abigail Owen will discuss various important employee issues that arise at the end of the fiscal year.
Register now: https://ow.ly/KaoB50QHKzv
Join us for another Webinar Wednesday!
In this webinar, Scott McCann, Joshua Sutherland, and Abigail Owen will discuss various important employee issues that arise at the end of the fiscal year.
Register now: https://ow.ly/KaoB50QHKzv
Join us for another Webinar Wednesday!
In this webinar, Scott McCann, Joshua Sutherland, and Abigail Owen will discuss various important employee issues that arise at the end of the fiscal year.
Register now: https://ow.ly/KaoB50QHKzv
Foundations for Professional Communications, an offering from FNPSS and @nvit_83 , got off to a great start with our in-person week of learning in January!
In case you missed it!
We are pleased to share some of the plenary sessions from the First Nations Public Service Secretariat Conference 2023: Taking Root. Recordings are now available online.
Catch up now: https://ow.ly/6qU350QABv1
LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!
Join us for another Webinar Wednesday!
In this webinar, Scott McCann, Joshua Sutherland, and Abigail Owen will discuss various important employee issues that arise at the end of the fiscal year, including the non-renewal of funding, the expiry of funding agreements, the impact on employment agreements, and related layoffs. Recent amendments to the Canada Labour Code will also be discussed to help you prepare for the new year, including the recent amendments to reasonable notice requirements, employment statements, employment expenses, and more. Finally, health and safety obligations and end of year reporting requirements will be covered to ensure understanding of, and compliance with, various legal obligations.
Register now: ow.ly/teWf50QHKzu
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Join us for another Webinar Wednesday!
In this webinar, Scott McCann, Joshua Sutherland, and Abigail Owen will discuss various important employee issues that arise at the end of the fiscal year, including the non-renewal of funding, the expiry of funding agreements, the impact on employment agreements, and related layoffs. Recent amendments to the Canada Labour Code will also be discussed to help you prepare for the new year, including the recent amendments to reasonable notice requirements, employment statements, employment expenses, and more. Finally, health and safety obligations and end of year reporting requirements will be covered to ensure understanding of, and compliance with, various legal obligations.
Register now: ow.ly/teWf50QHKzu
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Join us for another Webinar Wednesday!
In this webinar, employment lawyers Scott McCann, Partner, Joshua Sutherland, Counsel, and Abigail Owen, Associate, from Zacharias Vickers McCann LLP (zvmllp.com) will discuss various important employee issues that arise at the end of the fiscal year, including the non-renewal of funding, the expiry of funding agreements, the impact on employment agreements, and related layoffs. Recent amendments to the Canada Labour Code will also be discussed to help you prepare for the new year, including the recent amendments to reasonable notice requirements, employment statements, employment expenses, and more. Finally, health and safety obligations and end of year reporting requirements will be covered to ensure understanding of, and compliance with, various legal obligations.
Register now: ow.ly/teWf50QHKzu
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Foundations for Professional Communications, an offering from the First Nations Public Service Secretariat and the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, got off to a great start with our in-person week of learning in January. Pictured here is the incredible cohort of First Nations communicators, and our amazing instructor, Davis McKenzie of Toxw oxw (Becoming Clear) Communications.
The students were able to hone their skills in key areas of communications, and at the end of the week were joined by Howard Grant, Executive Director of the First Nations Summit, and Jehan Casey, Director of the First Nations Public Service Secretariat, who were in attendance as they presented their very own communications plans. All their hard work, commitment, and enthusiasm made this week a huge success, and we are so excited for them as they complete this course and continue their journeys in communications!
Foundations for Professional Communications is a fully accredited course, free of charge for First Nations communicators. If you would like to be added to the mailing list for the next offering, please email: ksposato@fnps.ca.
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Awesome, mussi
In case you missed it!
We are pleased to share some of the plenary sessions from the First Nations Public Service Secretariat Conference 2023: Taking Root. Recordings are now available online. Check out the opening keynote from First Nations leadership, an inspiring panel from First Nations youth and crucial discussion around data governance and more.
Catch up now: ow.ly/6qU350QABv1
0 CommentsComment on Facebook