Mamo-Nuskomitowin Steering Committee (MNSC) was established in October of 1998 to address the development and implementation of an agreement with Human Resources Development Canada, which is now known as Human Resources and Social Development of Canada (HRSDC) upon the federal government’s announcement of the upcoming Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy.

A committee was organized which consisted of one political representative from each Tribal Council in the delivery area (Wabun, Matawa & Mushkegowuk) along with a technical representative from each of the delivery agents. This committee was given the task of addressing the pre-implementation and negotiation stages for the agreement while at the same time, monitoring the delivery during the 2000-2001 fiscal year. Once the Aboriginal Human Resource Development Agreement (AHRDA) was signed, the committee then monitored and ensured effective and efficient delivery while participating in additional lobbying efforts for future dollars.

In January 1999, a Coordinator was hired to ensure a smooth implementation, and to coordinate negotiations with Human Resource Development Canada. Negotiation of this agreement affects twenty-five First Nations within Northern Ontario, their membership, both status and non-status. Negotiations were completed in March of 2000. The coordinator is also responsible for the monitoring of the three Local Delivery Mechanisms and reporting back to HRSDC to ensure all terms and conditions of the AHRDA is being upheld.

MNSC Staff

Micheal Miller Employment and Training Coordinator

Contact information:

313 Railway Street

Timmins, Ontario

P4N 2P4

Phone: (705) 268-9066

Fax: (705) 268-8554

Our Local Delivery Mechanisms

Matawa Employment & Training

The Matawa Employment and Training Services a department within the Matawa First Nations Management began operations on April 1 st, 2005. Previously, employment and training services were provided by the Mamo-Wichi-Hetiwin Employment and Training, referred to as one of fifteen Aboriginal Area Management Boards under the previous Pathways process.

Matawa is a federally incorporated non-profit organization and their primary mandate is to provide advisory services to the nine First Nations. The Employment and Training Services (ETS) department of the council is responsible for the delivery of funds and programs to members of eleven First Nations.

Department staff:

Morris Wapoose, Manager

Cornelius Wabasse, Project Officer

Doris Wabasse, Program Assistant

Contact Information:

Matawa Employment & Training

233 South Court Street, 2nd Floor

Thunder Bay , Ontario

P7B 2X9

Phone: (807) 344-4575

           1-800-463-2249

Fax:      807-344-2977

Website:http://met.matawa.on.ca

First Nations Serviced:

Aroland, Constance Lake, Eabametoong, Flying Post, Marten Falls, Nibinamik, Neskantaga, Ginoogaming, Hornepayne,

Webequie

Wabun Training & Employment

 The Wabun Training and Employment Services a department within the Wabun Development Corporation began operations on April 1 st, 2005. Previously, employment and training services were provided by the Mamo-Wichi-Hetiwin Employment and Training, referred to as one of fifteen Aboriginal Area Management Boards under the previous Pathways process. Wabun is in it first year of operation under Aboriginal Human Resources Development agreement.

Wabun is a federally incorporated non-profit organization and their primary mandate is to provide advisory services to the six First Nations. The Training and Employment Services (TES) department of the council is responsible for the delivery of funds and programs to members of five First Nations.

Department staff:

Peggy Claveau, Program Manger

Audrey Allaire, Program Support Clerk

Contact Information:

Wabun Training and Employment Services

313 Railway Street

Timmins , Ontario

P4N 2P4

Phone: (705) 268-9066

Fax: (705) 268-8554

Website:http://www.wabun.on.ca

First Nations Serviced:

Chapleau Ojibway, Brunswick House, Beaverhouse, Matachewan, Mattagami, Wahgoshig

Mushkegowuk Employment & Training Services

The Mushkegowuk Employment and Training Services (METS), a department within the Mushkegowuk Council began operations on April 1 st, 1997. Previously, employment and training services were provided by the Abatisowin Training Management Group, referred to as one of fifteen Aboriginal Area Management Boards under the previous Pathways process.

Mushkegowuk Council operated under the former Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Regional Bi-lateral agreement prior to moving under Mamo-Nuskomitowin.

Mushkegowuk Council is a federally incorporated non-profit organization and their primary mandate is to provide advisory services to the seven First Nations. The Employment and Training Services (ETS) department of the council is responsible for the delivery of funds and programs to members of eight First Nations.

METS has a total of seven staff; three Community Development Officers, two program support staff, one Resource Clerk, and one Coordinator, who work out of three offices; Timmins and Moosonee as sub offices and a main office in Moose Factory. Authority for funding approval has been delegated to the Coordinator. For larger funding request the Council has set and Proposal Review Committee (PRC) consisting of five members representing the interest of the eight First Nations and their band members.

Moose Factory Office;

Bill Louttit, METS Coordinator

Kathy Small, Program Support Clerk

Carole Turner, Program Support Clerk

Virginia Kamalatisit, Community Development Officer

John Rickard, Community Development Officer

Moosonee Sub-Office;

Marilyn Iserhoff, Resource Clerk (funded by Employment Ontario)

Timmins Sub Office;

Clara Wheesk, Community Development Officer

Contact Information:

Mushkegowuk Council
P.O. Box 370
12 Centre Road
Moose Factory, ON
P0L 1W0
Phone: 705-658-4222
Fax: 705-658-4250

Timmins Office
Mushkegowuk Council
36 Birch Street South
Timmins, ON
P4N 2A5
Phone: 705-268-1150

Fax: 705-268-3282

Moosonee Office
Mushkegowuk Council Employment & Training
P.O. Box 188
Moosonee, ON
P0L 1Y0
Phone: 705-336-2278
fax: 705-336-2118

Website: http://www.mushkegowuk.ca/m_employment.html

First Nations

Attawapiskat,Chapleau Cree, Fort Albany, Kashechewan, Missanabie Cree, Moose Cree, Taykwa Tagamou, Weenusk

Programs Delivered

Programs developed via the three Local Delivery Mechanisms are similar in nature and are broken down into four categories:

• First Nation Community Initiatives
• First Nation Individual Initiatives
• First Nation Regional Initiatives
• First Nation Youth Initiatives

Under the above-mentioned categories programs are developed that will:

• Assist First Nation communities by providing a holistic, integrated and common approach to the solution of career, employment and infrastructure needs of Aboriginal people.
• Assist First Nation individuals through a combination of programs and services to improve their employment skills and facilitate their entry into the labour market.
• Provide greater opportunities for First Nations people to participate in regional employment and training initiatives.
• Assist Aboriginal youth to gain meaningful employment labour market skills and experience.

The programs are:

• Reflective of cultural components, Aboriginal languages, traditions, values and spiritual beliefs.
• Developing skills that are transferable and portable in order to be of use in any labour market situation
• Ensuring flexibility when designing the programs to better meet the individual needs rather then attempting to force-fit the needs in the program.
• When applicable, established as modules to allow the flexibility to deliver in a way that accommodates the trainees’ circumstances, for example, location, family obligations, traditional pursuits and season.

As well, under these programs, each Local Delivery Mechanism makes provisions to assist persons with physical and mental disabilities to participate in employment and training programs.

Some additional research about the trades and apprenticeship can be found on the following internet sites: