Occupation Specific Language Trainingfor Aboriginal People and Miningin Northern Ontario

Presented by

O s h k i - P i m a c h e - O - W i nEDUCATION & TRAINING INSTITUTE

APRIL 2011

Executive Presentation

Overview

• About Oshki-Pimache-O-Win• Aboriginal Peoples & Mining in Northern Ontario• Skills Gap in First Nations Participation• OSLT at Ontario Colleges• OSLT-APAM at OSHKI• Key Benefits• Next Steps

ABOUT OSHKI-PIMACHE-O-WINOSLT-APAM at OSHKI-PIMACHE-O-WIN

Oshki-Pimache-O-WinEducation & Training Institute

• Independent Aboriginal post secondary institution• Established in 1996 by the Nishnawbe Aski Nation

Chiefs-in-Assembly• Incorporated in 2001• Oshki-Pimache-O-Win means

“A New Beginning” in theOji-Cree language

Our Mission...

To be the leader in providing excellence in post secondary education by meeting the

educational and cultural needs of the members and communities of

Nishnawbe Aski Nation through a holistic approach

to lifelong learning.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation

• Covers 2/3 of Ontario• 49 First Nations• 45,000 people• 2/3 live on-reserve• 3 Aboriginal languages:

o Ojibwayo Oji-Creeo Cree

OSHKI Fast Facts

• ReputationSuccessful partnerships with communities, government and higher education

• LocationThunder Bay, Ontario

• CampusDowntown office complex, modern facilities, outgrowing due to rising enrolments

• StudentsOver 100 students enrolled for 2010/2011

• FacultyOver 20 instructors

• Programs of StudyHealth, Social Services, Business, and Academic Upgrading

ABORIGINAL PEOPLES & MINING IN NORTHERN ONTARIO

OSLT-APAM at OSHKI-PIMACHE-O-WIN

Exploration Boom in Ontario

• Exploration spending:o $120 million in 2002o $800 million in 2008

• Mining claims:o 114,000 claims in 2007o 363,000 claims in 2008o More than 32,000 claims

in Ontario’s Ring of Fire

Active Mines in Northern Ontario

Musselwhite Mine(Goldcorp)

Red Lake Mine(Goldcorp)

Victor Mine(De Beers)

Lac des Lles(North American Palladium)

David Bell/Williams Mine(Barrick Gold)

Young-Davidson Mine(Northgate Minerals)

Pamour Mine(Porcupine/Goldcorp)

“Ring of Fire”in the Heart of Nishnawbe Aski Nation

Over 30 Exploration Companies

Aboriginal Exploration and Mining Agreements

• Victor Mineo De Beers Canada,

Attawapiskat First Nation, et al.

• Young-Davidson Mineo Northgate Minerals,

Matachewan First Nation

• McFaulds Lake Projecto Noront Resources, Webequie

First Nation, et al.

• Timmins West Projecto Lake Shore Gold, Flying Post

First Nation, et al.

• Detour Lake Projecto Detour Gold, Wahgoshig First

Nation

• Musselwhite Mineo Goldcorp, North Caribou Lake

First Nation, et al.

Mining Industry

Aboriginal Ontario

• 133 First Nations• 242,490 Aboriginal

people• 41% live in the north• Half are under the

age of 25 years• 13 Aboriginal

languages

Aboriginal Population in Ontario and Selected Regions

86,605 Aboriginal peoplesin Northern Ontario

Aboriginal Languages in Ontario and Selected Regions

NAN EastCree and Ojibway

NAN WestOji-Cree and Ojibway

Aboriginal Languages in Northern Ontario and Selected Districts

NAN WEST NAN EAST

First Nations People On-ReserveOver Half Speak an Aboriginal Language

Aboriginal Language Dialects in Ontario

First Nation Community

SKILLS GAP IN FIRST NATIONS PARTICIPATION

OSLT-APAM at OSHKI-PIMACHE-O-WIN

Problem and Scope

There are several areas in which language becomes intertwined with the Northern Ontario

mining sector, and systemic language barriers are faced by a growing number of First Nations peoples that prevent and impede community

participation in exploration and mining projects.

Consultation and Negotiation

“One of the difficulties we found was that there aren’t a lot of technical words and

terms in the Cree language for manyof the things you do in mining.”

- Jonathan Fowler, Vice PresidentAboriginal Affairs, De Beers Canada

Literacy and Essential Skills“Community members are having a challenge

in qualifying for skilled trades training programs because some are

finding it difficult to passthe TOWES exam.”

- Virginia Sutherland, IBA CoordinatorDe Beers Canada, Victor Mine

Skilled Trades Training

Occupational language and terminology of the trades was a significant language barrier for Aboriginal participants challenged with participating in skilled trades training and writing trade exams.– Research study (Centre for Aboriginal Apprenticeship Research,

Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board, March 2010)

Work Environment• At De Beers, the official

language of work is English. One challenge De Beers faces in working with a Northern population is that English is not a first language for many of the local residents.

• Consequently, many new hires from the regions surrounding the mines face language barriers at work. - Victor Mine case study (Conference Board of Canada, May 2010)

Language Barriers

• Natural Language– English literacy, broken English, English as a second

language• Occupational Language– Mining literacy, socio-cultural and technical language

and vocabulary of the mining industry, especially as it applies to skilled occupations

• Legal Language– Legalese, convoluted technical talk of the legal sector

with respect to mining

Potential Impacts• Community opposition and confrontation • Lost and delayed opportunities• Increase in project costs• Strained relationships• Cancelled project

Need to Bridge Communication GapBetween Industry and Community

Need to Bridge Skills Gap Between Occupation and Worker

OCCUPATION SPECIFIC LANGUAGE TRAINING AT ONTARIO COLLEGES

OSLT-APAM at OSHKI-PIMACHE-O-WIN

“OSLT provides communication and socio-cultural workplace training to newcomers to help them

succeed within their chosen careers”- Colleges Ontario

OSLT at a Glance

• Funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada• Offered by 13 colleges across Ontario• 180 hours of instruction• Courses available on a part-time or full-time basis• Courses geared towards newcomers• Courses focused on health, business, skilled trades,

and technology sectors and occupations

Sector-based Language Training with a Focus on Occupations

• Each course curriculum includes communication training relevant to the sector, as well as instruction tailored to the specific occupational communication needs of participants

In-depth Curriculum Designed by Content and Language Experts

• Language and occupational content experts have designed the courses using a common framework so that all courses address sector, occupation and socio-cultural communication skills in a consistent way

• The courses are delivered by qualified college language instructors who have received orientation in this language curriculum

Providing an Understanding of Workplace Culture

• Participants will develop a strong understanding of the socio-linguistic dimensions of their occupation and its sector, and learn how to communicate effectively within their workplace culture

• These courses better position newcomers for career success

Serving Newcomers and Supporting Ontario’s Economy

• OSLT courses meet both the career communication needs of newcomers and the skilled labour needs of the province

• Practical, intensive and career-driven language training will help newcomers find and maintain work commensurate with their skills and experience in their specific occupation, and better integrate into the provincial workforce

OSLT Courses at Ontario Colleges

OCCUPATION SPECIFIC LANGUAGE TRAINING AT OSHKI

OSLT-APAM at OSHKI-PIMACHE-O-WIN

OSLT-APAM at a Glance• OSLT-APAM fills a skills gap for First Nations

peoples whose first language is not English• OSLT-APAM addresses a skills shortage for

mining employers• OSLT-APAM positions First Nations peoples for

employment and training in their territory

VisionOur vision of the OSLT-APAM program is to ensure that First Nations peoples develop to their fullest potential. Becoming fully self-reliant to be able to access and participate in employment and economic opportunities that will become available in the emerging Ring of Fire. Within this long-term vision, governments recognize the unique value of OSLT and are committed to supporting it across the continuum of human resources and skills development for First Nations peoples.

Goal #1

• To increase the knowledge and understanding of First Nations communities and mining companies on how OSLT-APAM can contribute to strengthening the Northern Ontario mining sector for economic growth and job creation

Goal #2

• To increase access to Occupation Specific Language Training opportunities for First Nations peoples to help position them for employment and training opportunities that will become available in their territory

Goal #3

• To create new links and partnerships between OSHKI and government, industry and other stakeholders to ensure a more concerted effort in improving employment and training outcomes for First Nations peoples through occupation specific language training

Project Timeline Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Phase I – Engagement

1.1 Recruit Project Team

1.2 Establish Project Website

1.3 Project Launch Event

1.4 Stakeholder Engagement

1.5 Research and Scoping

1.6 Prepare Framework Overview

Phase II – Development

2.1 Orientation and Workshops

2.2 Working Group Collaboration

2.3 External Consultation

2.4 Prepare Framework Drafts

2.5 Develop Tools and Methods

2.6 Prepare Project Interim Report

Phase III – Validation

3.1 Implementation

3.2 Evaluation and Revision

3.3 Finalize Framework

Phase IV – Dissemination

4.1 Disseminations

4.2 Prepare Project Final Report

Three Year Work Plan

Supported by NAN Chiefs

• Presented at XXVIII Keewaywin Conference, Chapleau Cree First Nation

• Passed Resolution 09/66: Support for Oshki-Pimache-O-Win for Occupation Specific Language Training for First Nations

Indigenous Best Practices

• Australian Government has been supporting workplace literacy and language training for their Indigenous population for 20 years

• Best practices to draw from the Maori people

• Similar exploration and mining context

KEY BENEFITSOSLT-APAM at OSHKI-PIMACHE-O-WIN

Promotes Shared Values

• Respect, trust, openness, honesty• Build early relationships• Build positive long term relationships• Build healthy and vibrant communities• Build productive, safe work environments• Show me the money!

Increases English Language Proficiency

• OSLT-APAM will increase participants English language proficiency up to Canadian Language Benchmark 7

• OSLT-APAM will increase participants mining literacy and mining essential skills

Promotes Community Participation

• OSLT-APAM will foster community confidence and morale

• OSLT-APAM will help community members develop a willingness and readiness to take first steps toward participation

Creates a Level Playing Field

• OSLT-APAM will contribute towards ensuring a level playing field in community consultations and negotiations

Promotes Team Work and Productivity

• OSLT-APAM will encourage communication, consultation, and team work

• OSLT-APAM will build harmonious working relationships

Promotes Occupational Health and Safety

• OSLT-APAM will promote a safe work environment

• OSLT-APAM will promote “cultural safety” which is correlated to First Nations occupational health and safety- National Aboriginal Health Organization, 2006

NEXT STEPSOSLT-APAM at OSHKI-PIMACHE-O-WIN

Build Partnerships

• Key Partners– First Nations Communities– Exploration and Mining Companies– Ontario Colleges / OSLT– Local Employment and Training Agencies– Aboriginal Language Professionals

Commit Resources

• Steering Committee– Representatives from partners & stakeholders

• Multidisciplinary Working Groups– OSLT-APAM framework and toolkit development– OSLT-APAM curriculum development– OSLT-APAM program development

• Project Tools– Occupational standards and practices– Achievement standards

Secure Funding• Federal– FedNor – Community Economic Development – INAC – Strategic Partnership Initiative – HRSDC – Skills and Partnership Fund

• Provincial– MTCU – Northern Training Partnership Fund– MCI – Ontario Bridge Training Fund– MNDM – Northern Ontario Heritage Fund

Contact Details

Gordon Kakegamic, OSLT-APAM Project Lead

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education & Training Institute106 Centennial Square, 3rd FloorThunder Bay, Ontario P7C 4H2Phone: (807) 626-1880Fax: (807) 622-1818E-mail: gtkakega@oshki.ca Web: www.oshki.ca