City of Brandon & BUAPC Partner on Indigenous Awareness Training

October 31, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Brandon, MB – Furthering a shared commitment to pursue Aboriginal economic success within the local economy, the City of Brandon and the Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council (BUAPC) have partnered to offer Indigenous and Aboriginal Awareness Training to municipal staff and various community stakeholders and organizations this week.

Nearly 100 individuals representing the City of Brandon and approximately two dozen community organizations and stakeholder groups are set to attend the in-depth training, which begins today and runs through Wednesday. Delivered by British Columbia-based Indigenous Corporate Training Inc., the training will delve into how to effectively engage, consult, and work with Indigenous and Aboriginal populations.

“Offering this training is a very important part of our collective work to build Aboriginal inclusion into Brandon’s community and its economy,” says City of Brandon Director of Economic Development Sandy Trudel. “We know that creating an environment where Aboriginal business can succeed begins with understanding, so we see it as very important that the various groups in the community who play an important role in such success are able to participate in this shared learning opportunity.”

Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council Aboriginal Community Coordinator Jason Gobeil notes this type of training is a key component of the Council’s recently-released Aboriginal Economic Strategic Plan, which lays out steps to grow economic responsibility through a shared social responsibility.

“Today marks an important step in a journey for Brandon, as we bring in training that will help in educating government administration, business, and community on the topics of Indigenous awareness and engagement,” states Gobeil. “Reconciliation is about exploring the past to build a better future. We know that through this training will come more opportunities to learn, educate, and find compassion in knowing that we are all in this together and that understanding reconciliation starts with opening the door to learning.”

Gobeil adds that among Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls-to-Action are ones relating to the professional development and training of public servants, and the importance of linking business and reconciliation.

The Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council’s Aboriginal Economic Strategic Action Plan can be found here.