Employment is first priority

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Over 300 people are expected to register for the 21st annual Inter Provincial Association on Native Employment (IANE) conference being held in Calgary from June 17-20.

Advertisements have attracted participants from six provinces across the country to the Crossroads Hotel for the three day event.

This year's theme is "Liaison: The Future of Aboriginal Employment."

The conference will explore the importance of Aboriginal community liaison work.

A keynote speaker, workshops and social functions have been planned to keep participants busy and informed throughout the week-long event.

Keynote speaker Ted Langford is a veteran of the push to promote Aboriginal employment in Canada.

Langford, president of the Alberta Vocational College in Lac la Biche, is looking forward to the conference and all that it can offer.

"The whole business of Aboriginal liaison involves the opportunity for private and public sector organizations to look at interacting and doing business with Aboriginal community organizations." he said.

The vocational college in the northern town was started with heavy Aboriginal involvement. Respected Aboriginal elder Peter Erasmus played a key role in setting up the college. Along with his many attributes, Erasmus has authored the booklet, A Practical Framework for Community Liaison Work in Native Communities. Twenty five years after the college opened, it continues to grow and expand with the same strong emphasis on Aboriginal cultures and communities.

The college boasts several service and resource industry programs and courses aimed at getting students through the classes and into practical jobs as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Langford will speak on the importance of working with Aboriginal communities and the many ways there are to properly work together.

Workshops at the conference will look at the importance of working relationships between Aboriginal communities and employers, the importance of role models, matching people with work, and a professional development seminar series on being a liaison worker.

Association president Dan Highway said the importance of the conference and the promotion of Aboriginal employment is extremely crucial.

"The full potential of the Aboriginal work force must be realized now, if it is to make the contribution required to keep Canada competitive in the world markets."

Wayne Erasmus, the association's Alberta Chapter president said the importance of a liaison worker is to gather information and use that information to benefit many people.

"Seek to understand before trying to be understood," he profoundly stated.

The conference runs through the week, ending with a closing prayer and a golf tournament.

Conference co-ordinator Viola Tanner McLure said people will come away from the week with many new ideas and friendships.

"It is an excellent place to network and to learn of the most current projects and programs in place that promote Aboriginal employment in Canada." she said.