Baakaakonaanan Ishkwaandemonan

Baakaakonaanan Ishkwaandemonan | Employers Creating Inclusive Workplaces

Opening Doors For You

The Project Participate Now

Click the images to learn more

NEW THIS WEEK

Featured Service Provider: KKETS

“As one of the fastest growing segments of the population, Aboriginal peoples play an integral role in Canadian Society, offering unique advantages to Canadian employers. With the Aboriginal population increasing at almost twice the national average, its clear with a skilled Aboriginal Workforce is the key top addressing future labour shortfalls. At KKETS, we actively support employers seeking trained and skilled First Nation workers. “

Quote of the Week

To provide culturally appropriate opportunities for education, training and employment by providing professional advisory, support services, relevant systems and programs to empower individuals to take initiative for change in their own lives

Featured Website

To learn more about Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment & Training Services, please visit their website
http://www.kkets.ca/

THE PROJECT

The goal of the BI project is to recognize the efforts made by employers to create inclusive workplaces.

What is Baakaakonaanan Ishkwaandemonan?

BI is a positive reinforcement project combined with a mass social media campaign that not only provides employers with encouragement and tips towards hiring a diverse workforce, but also makes the public aware of current positive initiatives. The BI project encourages employers to make use of existing services in the community to support in hiring and retaining Newcomers and Indigenous employees.

How does it work?

Employers can participate by registering at www.openingdoors4u.ca; employers will receive an information package in which there are resources in relation to hiring from the various atypical available, skilled labour pools. Employers will receive points for participating in workplace education and training on how to create welcoming workplaces.

Why should Employers participate?

The BI project will also feature a mass Positive Messaging social media campaign that will feature both participants and Employer Champions. The idea behind the social media campaign is to begin to highlight the current success and overcoming of barriers that the rest of Ontario is currently experiencing working with the atypical labour pool.

Each participant will receive free online advertising; have an opportunity to be featured in various local media outlets; receive onsite recognition via a visible and recognizable logo, as well as promotion to job developers and employment agencies as a ‘welcoming workplace’.

Who should participate?

We have chosen to pilot the projects in two rural communities, with physical outreach; and we are 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. If you are an Employer within the Local Employment Planning Council catchment area, please get in touch with Charmaine at cmccraw@northernpolicy.ca.

How long is the pilot?

The pilot will run over the course of four months. It has taken some time to put this project 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 are hoping to work with 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 will be 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 the 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 Charmaine at cmccraw@northernpolicy.ca

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

Check out KKETS Facebook Videos

PAST/UPCOMING

EVENTS

Making Connections 2017 – 1st National Sister Cities Forum on April 26, 2017, which promotes cross-cultural understanding, municipal and technical cooperation, and most importantly, economic development opportunities. http://www.thunderbay.ca/City_Government/Sister_Cities.htm

Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC) – What does Reconciliation Mean to You? in Thunder Bay on April 12, 2017. The workshop traces the history of the TRC, looks at its Calls to Action, and asks participants, ‘What does Reconciliation mean to you?’ https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ilo-truth-reconciliation-commission-trc-what-does-reconciliation-mean-to-you-tickets-31596894161?aff=aff0eventful

Feminisms at Lakehead on April 7^th, 2017. Former journalist Kathryn Young discusses the ‘old-boys-club’ mentality on Parliament Hill that sets the standard for workplaces across the country, advocating for federal leadership in advancing the discussions about consent and equity. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/feminisms-tickets-32962205845

Community Energy Workshop for Northern & Northwestern Ontario First Nations on May 4^th. First Nations leaders presenting on energy project experiences and lessons learned including renewable energy, employment & training opportunities and community energy planning. There will be several break-out sessions to discuss priority areas and key issues throughout the day, including informing the creation of a Knowledge-Sharing Network and tools for First Nations. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/community-energy-workshop-for-northern-northwestern-ontario-first-nations-registration-27155474756

Community Accessibility Forum on 14 June 2017. In 2017, Ontario will commemorate its 150th anniversary. The forums will highlight and celebrate how communities across Ontario have come together to be more accessible and inclusive. We look forward to hearing your stories. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/accessibility-forum-thunder-bay-tickets-31880908656?aff=es2

The Lieutenant Governor’s Visionaries Prize Event on September 13, 2017. The Lieutenant Governor’s Visionaries Prize challenged Ontarians aged eighteen and over to present their ideas in a short essay and/or video. The topic for Thunder Bay submissions is Reconciliation.https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/lieutenant-governors-visionaries-prize-environmental-stewardship-prix-visionnaire-du-lieutenant-tickets-32586167103

Supplier Diversity on April 20, 2017 from 11 am – 12 pm: Hire Immigrants – Webinar – Supplier Diversity

Specialized Training Sessions will be ongoing with Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment and Training Services – Specialized Training Sess ions

The WALK A MILE Film Project will be ongoing with the City of Thunder Bay – Walk-A-Mile Film Project

Urban Aboriginal Youth Employment Conference : Ontario Native Women’s Association on March 23-24, 2017- Urban Aboriginal Youth Employment Conference

United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination held on March 22, 2017 by Diversity Thunder Bay – The United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Lateral Violence Awarness Workshop on March 9-10, 2017 by the Nokiiwin Tribal Council – Lateral Violence Awareness Workshop

Overcoming Hiring Bias-Strategies for Inclusive Recruitment held on March 9, 2017 regarding the hiring of Immigrants – Webinar: Overcoming Hiring Bias – Strategies for Inclusive Recruitment

Have a success story? Let us know.

Share Your Stories

MEET OUR CHAMPIONS

Meet Thunder Bay District Employers who are proactive, innovative and are working toward inclusive and diverse hiring strategies to increase Indigenous and Newcomer workforce participation.

Superior Strategies

Superior Strategies is a First Nation-owned business that offers quality management consulting and training services.

Firedog Communications

Firedog Communications is a fully integrated marketing communications agency. Founded in 2003, Firedog Communications is an award-winning Canadian company located in Thunder Bay's downtown Waterfront District.

Toromont CAT

Established in 1993, Toromont Cat is a division of Toromont Industries (TSX: TIH), a publically traded, diversified growth company incorporated in 1963. The company is focused on offering customers solutions aimed at making their business more successful.

TBT Engineering

Recently, TBT Engineering expanded its presence in a big way with various Indigenous stakeholder groups via the formation of a new First Nation-owned company called Ozaanaman Engineering Incorporated.