Regina Learning Circle
June 17th, 2009 Notes
The Regina Learning Circle took place on June 17th, 2009 in the boardroom of the Community Services Village complex, which houses the Food Bank, and its Adult Centre for Employment Readiness Training (ACERT) program, a day care, the Dumont Technical Institute, a Community Kitchen, a group home for people with disabilities, and a computer lab. Community Services Village setting provides an opportunity for the Learning Circle to work with organizations that share a common vision to create an integrated sustainable centre for meeting social needs, building independent lives and strengthening families.
Of the 23 people who attended, the following organizations were represented: Carry the Kettle First Nation, City of Regina (Planning and Sustainability Dept.), Cowessess First Nation #73 (Urban Reserve), Enterprise Saskatchewan (Forestry and Aboriginal Business Manager within the Resources & Manufacturing Branch), File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council, First Nations and Métis Fund, First Nations University (School of Business and Public Administration), INAC, Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour, North Central Community Association, Office of the Treaty Commissioner, Peace Hills Trust, Regina Food Bank, Regina Regional Opportunities Commission, Saskatchewan Indian Equity Foundation/SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation (SIEF/SMEDCO), University of Regina (Faculty of Business). An Elder and Youth from First Nations University were also present at the Circle. The people who attended the Circle were organized and supported by academics from the First Nations University and the University of Regina.
The major outcome of the meeting was that four task groups were established. The task groups that were created will focus on four areas: 1) Communications 2) Funding 3) Affordable Housing and 4) Skills, Training and Youth (i.e. Capacity Development). All of those who attended volunteered to participate in at least one task group. The Communication task group is responsible for improving communications amongst those people and organizations involved in Urban Aboriginal Economic Development in Regina. The Funding task group is responsible for seeking out or helping to establish capital resources that enhance Urban Aboriginal people`s access to capital within Regina and throughout the province. The Affordable Housing task group is responsible for working to increase Urban Aboriginal people`s access to affordable housing in Regina. The Skills, Training and Youth task group is responsible for capacity development amongst both Urban Aboriginal adults and youth. All four task groups plan to meet as individual task groups at least once during the summer and we hope to hold our second Learning Circle in September as one larger group in order to discuss what each of the four task groups has accomplished.
Overall, we felt as though the Learning Circle was a success. The enthusiasm amongst the group was great and the dialogue was both informative and productive. I think everyone was excited to have the opportunity to meet with people from a diverse group of organizations to discuss the ways in which we can improve the economic development opportunities for urban Aboriginal people in Regina and throughout the province.
Regina Task Groups
Communications
Thomas Benjoe
Susan Birley
Nicole Dieter
Tally Dufour
Wayne Hellquist
Brad McKenzie
Jay Redwood
Bettina Schneider
Funding
Robert Anderson
Susan Birley
Tyler Bradley
Tally Dufour
Kelly Fiddler
Bradyn Parisian
Bettina Schneider
Housing
Trenton Baisley
Susan Birley
Tyler Bradley
Alvin Delorme Jr.
Bob Kayseas
Lesley Hindle
Skills, Training and Youth
Thomas Benjoe
Tyler Bradley
Tally Dufour
Kelly Fiddler
Wayne Hellquist
Lesley Hindle
Bettina Schneider
Brenda Stevenson
Kara Stonechild
Milton Tootoosis