Project targets on-reserve social assistance recipients

A plan is now in the works that may improve the quality of life for First Nations people by pushing able-bodied citizens into pursuing positive educational and work placement initiatives.

A pilot project called ‘Active Measures’ has been introduced to some First Nations communities in Saskatchewan, including the One Arrow First Nation. It is a project not only limited to one idea, one program, or one community. Rather, it is looked at as a broad, multi-faceted initiative, according to Trevor Sutter, Manager of Communications for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

Various training programs for adults are becoming more available for First Nations people seeking to find a way off of income support. But the need for a government agreement to provide more resources to make it a reality is now in the negotiating process.

Sutter said that hopes are by early this year, a Memorandum of Understanding with the five tribal councils of Saskatchewan will be reached to provide a business case offering more support and partnerships with private sectors within the province.

This would offer the roughly 5000 on-reserve individuals aged 18-24 years on social assistance the opportunities to transition into career areas that can lead to long meaningful employment of their interest, said Sutter.

“Active Measures is one component where we are trying to reinvest the social assistance dollars into training, work placement, mentoring, and education,” said Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) Chief Felix Thomas.

“We are trying to open doors into the mining industry, oil and gas, construction, the health care field, so that these individuals do get trained in the areas they wish and become champions in that industry,” he added.

Chief Thomas said he believes the reallocation of existing resources is not the answer to improve the quality of living for First Nations people; rather there is a need for an influx of new resources.

Many media reports have stated that those who choose not to take advantage of the projects’ new and improved sources may find themselves lacking any kind of income support. Chief Thomas said he understands that there will be members that are not going to take up the opportunities because it is like that in any society.

While the province has recently reformed their income assistance policy making it a program of last resort, Sutter said that project organizers want to encourage other First Nations to do the same. They believe this will provide the ability for individual bands to cut off those who refuse to look at the viable alternatives to welfare.
“We are not taking the cookie cutter approach… Active Measures will take the shape of whatever that community needs,” said Sutter.

While provincial industry organizations are now booming and the opportunities are there for individuals, said Chief Thomas, it is just a matter of getting past barriers such as transportation issues, child care, and a place to live, in order for the project to have the support it needs to be successful.

“With every opportunity there is always a challenge, we’re just trying to get these people to overcome the challenges,” he added.

The clarification that Active Measures is not a government run program seems to appeal to First Nations communities.

“I think if it is done right it will be embraced by everyone, it can’t be just another government-driven top down program that is designed by someone in the different offices,” said Chief Thomas.

“Like I always said what’s good for First Nations is good for everybody,” he said.

Some of the pilot projects that fall under Active Measures are the three year 1.5 million dollar partnership between Indian Affairs and SIIT which saw the purchase of two mobile career assessment buses that travel to communities to offer career counseling.

Two million dollars from federal provincial funding will be placed in 26 communities for work placement opportunities during the 2010-2011 year.