Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance Guide for the Aboriginal Self-Identifier Program November 2007

Aboriginal Self-Identifier Program Slide 1 The Strategic Vision Improving social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal people is a key element of the strategic vision of the Government of BC.

November 2007 Aboriginal Self-Identifier Program Slide 2 Three documents support the government framework to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people: The New Relationship The Transformative Change Accord (TCA) The Métis Nation Relationship Accord Supporting the Framework

November 2007 Aboriginal Self-Identifier Program Slide 3 The New Relationship was created by the Government of British Columbia and the BC First Nations’ Leadership Council. It sets out the vision and principles of a new government-to-government relationship based on respect, recognition and accommodation of Aboriginal title and rights. The New Relationship

November 2007 Aboriginal Self-Identifier Program Slide 4 The Transformative Change Accord (TCA) is a pledge between the Province, the Federal Government and the Leadership Council to: close the social and economic gap between First Nations and other British Columbians reconcile Aboriginal rights and title with those of the Crown, and establish a new relationship based on mutual respect and recognition. The Transformative Change Accord

November 2007 Aboriginal Self-Identifier Program Slide 5 The Métis Nation Relationship Accord is a document signed by the Métis Nation BC and the provincial government. This Accord establishes a partnership to: improve socio-economic outcomes for Métis people use the existing tripartite process build a positive relationship, and measure results. The Métis Nation Relationship Accord

November 2007 Aboriginal Self-Identifier Program Slide 6 Developing Data Standards Government needed to develop common data standards. Standards were developed by a joint working group consisting of: provincial ministries and agencies, and aboriginal organizations: –BC Aboriginal Child Care Society –BC First Nations Coordinators Council –First Nations Education Steering Committee –First Nations Leadership Council –First Nations Statistical Institute –First Nations Technology council –Indigenous Adult Higher Learning Association –Métis Nation BC –Pacific Association of First Nations Women

November 2007 Aboriginal Self-Identifier Program Slide 7 MEIA’s Action MEIA has no ability to collect data regarding the: number of Aboriginal persons in receipt of BCEA, or effectiveness of its programs for Aboriginal clients. With the introduction of the Aboriginal Self-Identifier Programs, MEIA has designed a system to produce baseline and long- term data that can be used to: create services better designed to meet the needs of Aboriginal people refer Aboriginal people to programs and services better designed to meet their needs, and determine how well ministry programs assist Aboriginal people to find and keep jobs.

November 2007 Aboriginal Self-Identifier Program Slide 8 The Aboriginal Self-Identifier Program is a MEIA initiative to collect data about Aboriginal status from people who apply for or are receiving BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) Self-identification is entirely voluntary and has no impact on eligibility for BCEA programs and services The data is collected with the applicant’s consent and is entered into and stored in new MIS screens What is ASIP?

November 2007 Aboriginal Self-Identifier Program Slide 9 Why Should People Volunteer This Information? Ministry workers can better refer Aboriginal people to appropriate programs and services in their communities. The collection of this data helps plan and build services and programs that are culturally appropriate and more likely to contribute to successful outcomes for Aboriginal persons. The Aboriginal community has participated in the Joint Working Group to develop the province-wide data standards and recognizes the value of this data collection. MEIA is adopting a data standard that is consistent across government, further contributing to government-wide planning opportunities. More organizations such as ministries, government agencies, universities and colleges are providing Aboriginal persons the opportunity to self-identify.

November 2007 Aboriginal Self-Identifier Program Slide 10 Data Protection All data will be collected and stored by MEIA Individual data will be kept strictly confidential and is protected by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPP) Act), as are all BCEA client files Data used for internal research purposes will be protected and individual identifiers will be removed after data matching All data released will be at an aggregate (not individual) level

November 2007 Aboriginal Self-Identifier Program Slide 11 The ASI Question and Consent Form { Part 3 Part 1 Part 2 { { The document number for this form is EIA3187. It is available through the ministry Forms Intranet site as well as the Online Resource.

November 2007 Aboriginal Self-Identifier Program Slide 12 Part 1 Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy summary –this wording is standard for most MEIA forms Purpose: explanation addressed to applicant/client –provides the rationale for the questions Completion of the form is voluntary on the part of the person and/or spouse. Eligibility for BCEA programs and services is not affected in any way The person and/or spouse agrees or declines to complete the form The ASI Question & Consent Form

November 2007 Aboriginal Self-Identifier Program Slide 13 Aboriginal Self-IdentificationAPPLICANTSPOUSE 1. Do you identify yourself as an Aboriginal person, that is, First Nations, Métis or Inuit?  Yes  No  Yes  No 2.If you identify yourself as an Aboriginal person, are you:  First Nations  Métis  Inuit  First Nations  Métis  Inuit 3. If you identify as a First Nations person, are you registered under the Indian Act of Canada (i.e., a Status Indian)?  Yes  No  Yes  No The Questions Part 2 Once consent is given, the person and/or spouse can complete the questions. It may help to review the questions verbally. Note: There is a script available on the OLR to provide tips on how to present the form.

November 2007 Aboriginal Self-Identifier Program Slide 14 Part 3 If the person and/or spouse agrees to complete the form, and does so, they must sign the Consent area at the bottom of the form. The hard copy is attached to the person’s physical file. –Enter that information onto the ASI screen according to the Systems Memo. If the person declines to complete the form, no signature is required and no paper copy is retained. –Enter the decision onto the ASI screen. If the person declines, MIS will reset and will prompt the question again in six months. The Consent

November 2007 Aboriginal Self-Identifier Program Slide 15 Systems & Process Changes MIS changes: OPN screen will indicate if the person has previously completed the ASI form. RAP screen will revert to ASI if the person has not answered the question ASI screen – enter the ASI information from the EIA3187 form Process changes: Voluntary self-disclosure at application or re-application, and at reviews Consent is signed by the person and worker enters information on the ASI screen

November 2007 Aboriginal Self-Identifier Program Slide 16 Cultural Sensitivity Cultural sensitivity training will soon be available to ministry staff. In the interim, here are some important things to remember when working with Aboriginal people: use caution when shaking hands. The typical North American grab and double pump may not be needed or appreciated. don’t impose or expect direct eye contact. ensure the speaker has finished the conversation before you speak. Longer periods of silence are common and used to gather thoughts. Aboriginal people have traditionally lived in oral societies. The spoken word is considered more important than anything written on paper. Ensure that when you speak, you give precise and accurate information. in light of this oral tradition, be careful how you use your voice in terms of tone, tempo, volume and inflections. avoid the term “stakeholder” as aboriginal people have constitutionally protected rights and deal on a Nation to Nation basis. Use “community” or “organization” instead. also avoid the terms “equality” or “equal” as this infers Aboriginal people must relinquish constitutionally protected rights, or give up the special rights they have as a people. (Information source: Working Effectively with Aboriginal Peoples, Robert P.C. Joseph. Indigenous Corporate Training, Port Coquitlam, BC )

November 2007 Aboriginal Self-Identifier Program Slide 17 Information Sources Online Resource: Policy Procedures Systems Memo (under Resources for Staff) Guide for the Aboriginal Self-Identifier Program (under Resources for Staff) Aboriginal Self-Identifier Question and Consent Form (under Forms) Cultural Sensitivity Information: Working Effectively with Aboriginal Peoples, Robert P.C. Joseph. Indigenous Corporate Training, Port Coquitlam, BC. 2006