Highlights from Six Nations Workforce Development Think Tank February 19,

Full Report Full report available on GREAT’s web site:

Overview of Presentation – Comments and Recommendations General Comments Education Economic Development Holistic Health Sustainable Community

General Highlights – Comments and Recommendations Need for future planning exercises over long term to allow for more solution- oriented discussion; Develop a communication plan that keeps everyone informed and keeps the momentum going; Reclaim our voice – speak up

General Highlights – Comments and Recommendations More off reserve citizens participation; Establish a clear community vision (25 years) that reduces dependency on government funding; It will be a challenge to get everyone involved. Individuals, families, organizations can make a difference;

General Highlights – Comments and Recommendations Improve working relationships with all community service organizations, i.e. Grand River Post Secondary, GREAT, Economic Development; Need to benchmark where we are at today in order to measure progress made.

Education Highlights – Comments and Recommendations Prepare the youth to qualify for upcoming positions; Develop and implement individual student education plans that includes employment opportunities related to areas of study;

Education Related Highlights – Comments and Recommendations Post secondary counselling on meeting the needs of the community; Workshops on building work ethics; elders and mentors and parents playing a pivotal role; Greater parental involvement and nurturing of academic excellence.

Education Related Highlights – Comments and Recommendations Emphasis on developing own curriculum including culture and language; Greater recognition of student achievements; Community getting behind the youth and telling them they will succeed.

Economic Development Highlights – Comments and Recommendations An economic development plan is attainable and its development is a job for the community; Further discussion on occupations and businesses that are needed in Six Nations, i.e. leakage study;

Economic Development Highlights – Comments and Recommendations Development of an economic development corporation; Need land base and infrastructure for economic development to expand; More support for business development; Market businesses to off reserve;

Economic Development Highlights – Comments and Recommendations Diversify the industries in the community – too many manufacturing and retail sales; Clear mandate between privately owned and Council owned businesses; Economic development leads to better health, education, culture, jobs.

Wholistic Health Highlights – Comments and Recommendations Poor health is one of the primary reasons for people not working; Need for a stronger sense of community and self; Change mentality that will encourage more people to want to work;

Wholistic Health Highlights – Comments and Recommendations Lateral violence in the community and in the workplace; Lack of respect for each other as human beings; Pre-natal behaviour reflected in children’s behaviour;

Wholistic Health Highlights – Comments and Recommendations Effects of colonization and residential school; Build child’s confidence that they can be what they want to be; Look at alternative forms of health care; Lack of confidence and self esteem.

Employment Highlights – Comments and Recommendations Publicize programs available for job seekers or employers seeking workers; Work ethics workshops developed in consultation with employers; Hold regular and interactive job and career fairs;

Employment Highlights – Comments and Recommendations Promote volunteerism as a way to gain work experience and develop skills; Review and compare HR (human resource) best practices – prepare a report of findings; Customer service training as part of employment readiness;

Building a Sustainable Community – Comments and Recommendations Aspects of community life to be sustained and carried into the future: - Land base, language and culture, traditional values, safety, justice system, food, transportation system. Community gardens – farmers market Signs up in the community related to values;

Building a Sustainable Community – Comments and Recommendations Need to make Six Nations a better place to live then what it is now; Take advantage of businesses and jobs in the green industry; Control demographics and who lives on the territory;

Building a Sustainable Community – Comments and Recommendations Six Nations is becoming an industrial park; May need regulations; Break down silos and start working together; Whatever we do to sustain the community will take hard work.