Baakaakonanen Ishkwandemonun (pronounced “bah-kah-ko-nah-nun shkwahn-deh-monun”) – Opening Doors for You focuses on identifying current best practices and promoting existing resources available for supporting the hiring of newcomers and Indigenous job seekers.

“The goal of the BI project is to recognize the efforts made by employers to create inclusive workplaces, and encourage employers to understand the value and benefit to hiring newcomers and Indigenous job seekers,” said Madge Richardson, Executive Director of North Superior Workforce Planning Board, Thunder Bay District’s Local Employment Planning Council. “At the end of the pilot period, the project has been introduced in other communities in the region.”

After the first six months, our project staff utilized social media, in person visits, and workshops to help employers identify and access the existing knowledge and supports they need to make inclusive hiring choices.

Baakaakonanen Ishkwaandemonun (BI) rewards employers for engaging with existing service providers and fostering an inclusive workplace. Employers that complete a certain number of tasks will receive recognition in the media and free advertising and promotion online plus they will be provided with a visual identifier for their business storefront window and/or website. The project highlights best practices and recognizes employer champions who have demonstrated their commitment to hiring newcomers and indigenous workers.

Who should participate?

Initially we had chosen to pilot the project in two rural communities, with physical outreach, challenging the employers in the City of Thunder Bay to take initiative and sign up for the program, theoretically testing physical outreach to grow a following versus an organic growth among city employers. The program has now been rolled out to any Employers in the District of Thunder Bay. If you are an Employer within the Local Employment Planning Council catchment area, please get in touch with Bob Graham at employeroutreach@nswpb.ca .

How long was the pilot?

The pilot ran over the course of four months.  The development of the project took time to put this together and we would like to thank our team for pushing hard to get this important project off the ground.  After the initial four months, we have been working with our local partners to carry the torch until the Ministry can issue its evaluation of the project.

What type of workshops will be available for employers?

We have been working with local businesses, chambers and municipalities to hold three workplace education and training sessions open to participants and other interested individuals. We are open to working with other partners to deliver other similar events.  If you have or know of someone who might be interested in co-hosting an event please let us know.

What is an Employer Champion?

An employer champion is an employer who has been identified by project staff as a leader in workforce diversity.  They are to be utilized as peer resources for employers looking for advice.  They are local advocates for the program as well as the first participating employers.  If you know of an employer you think should be profiled, please contact Bob Graham at employeroutreach@nswpb.ca
 

For a printable overview of the project, please click here.