1. 5 th Annual Community Futures Treaty Seven Disability Employment Symposium “Keeping the Momentum, Moving Forward.” May 16, 2012 Keynote Address - Ryan Robb Treaty 7 Management Corporation

2. T7MC MISSION STATEMENT To provide effective advisory services in order to continue to build capacity for all Treaty 7 First Nations in a fair and consistent manner. T7MC VISION To be self-sufficient, accountable, and unified as we continue to renew, protect, and affirm our Treaty Rights.

3. Corporate Structure 7 Chiefs of Treaty 7 Treaty 7 Management Corporation Treaty 7 Chiefs' Association CEO's Office

4. TREATY 7 MANAGEMENT CORPORATION  Treaty 7 Management Corporation provides “advisory” and “advocacy” services to all seven (7) Nations that compose Treaty 7  Standard “Tribal Council” responsibilities include: 1)Governance 2)Financial Management 3)Technical Services 4)Community Development 5)Economic Development  Treaty 7 Management Corporation completes this mandate through several different departments (see Org Chart)

5. ORGANIZATIONAL CHART CEO Health (Core) Co-Mgmt AHHRI BFI Other Programs Education Special Educ FNSSP Tri Partite MOU RMO – “New Paths” Housing Home Ownership Program Training Services Admin Services HR Services Admin Support Special Projects Bald Eagle Insurance Regional Health Survey AFNIGC Employment Tourism Greater Strides Information Technology Status Card Project Servers Org Support IGI Political Funcitons of T7 Chiefs Assoc Grand Chiefs’ Liaison CFO

6. in Canada, as elsewhere, poverty and disability are largely synonymous no coordinated policy response in place to address the poverty of people with disabilities constitutional responsibility for disability supports and services are shared by different levels of government

7. a call for action has gone as high as the UN Human Rights Council 1.Implement a National Action Plan (developed in part by the Council of Canadians with Disabilities), and 2.To address barriers impeding access to justice for disadvantaged Canadians (including First Nations), and including persons with disabilities.

8. the Government of Canada is well aware of the inadequacies 12% of Canadians have disabilities 33% of Aboriginal/First Nations Canadians have disabilities

9. unemployment is a longstanding concern for the disabled "Over 55% of working-age adults with disabilities are currently unemployed or out of the labour market. For women with disabilities the rate is almost 75%.”

10. I see four key areas where we must work together to advance the agenda of sustainability and inclusion of First Nations people with disabilities, and indeed, the same might be said for all of Treaty 7

11. First: we need to alleviate the poverty of persons with disabilities and their families. (Adequate support and access to meaningful employment) Second: we need to enhance or expand the support for independent living, supporting active citizenship and participation (such as safe, accessible and affordable housing)

12. Third: we need strong labor force inclusion measures (hiring policies, legislation, training and education) Fourth: and finally, we need social change or development that promotes accessibility and community, on all levels

13. revisiting my previous quote from “End Exclusion 2007”: "Solutions are complex and multi-jurisdictional, however, this CANNOT be an excuse for inaction.”

14. R eturn O n I nclusion