
OAC Community Forum - February 24, 2015
Event Overview
We are delighted to invite you to the Aboriginal Community Forum hosted by the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition and the UAS-Ottawa Steering Committee. This event aims to foster meaningful discussions and gather your invaluable input as we navigate the future of our community initiatives.
Purpose of the Forum
The forum serves as a platform for collaboration and relationship-building among community members and partners. Together, we aim to explore ways to enhance opportunities for our children and youth and ensure positive outcomes for the Aboriginal community in Ottawa.
OAC Community Forum Booklet
This document presents information from the OAC and the City of Ottawa. It features welcome messages from the OAC and Mayor Jim Watson, followed by the forum agenda and an overview of the Aboriginal community in Ottawa. Several OAC member organizations provide key insights, and the report concludes with a summary from the Aboriginal Education Committee, highlighting educational initiatives and community partnerships.
Key Updates:
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Community Services Overview: Marc Maracle, Chair of the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition, provided insights into the services offered and the community priorities addressed over the past year.
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Education Initiatives:
- Karen Baker Anderson presented on the ongoing efforts of the Aboriginal Education Committee-
- Allison Fisher discussed additional work needed to improve education for Aboriginal students
- Guy Freedman spoke about new strategies for school boards to better engage with the community. -
City Relationship: Presentations from Marc Maracle and Clara Friere highlighted the partnership between the City of Ottawa and the Aboriginal community, discussing collaborative efforts.
Areas of Focus:
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Education:
- Ongoing work and initiatives by the Aboriginal Education Committee.
- Strategies for school boards to enhance their relationship with the Aboriginal community
- Engaging community members in discussions about educational advancement. -
City and Community Relationships: Strengthening the partnership between the City of Ottawa and the Aboriginal community to enhance collaboration and support.
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Housing and Homelessness: Addressing homelessness among Aboriginal people and discussing the Housing First approach as a solution.
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Youth Support: Identifying ways to better support First Nation, Inuit, and Métis youth in Ottawa.
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Foster Care: Highlighting the need for Aboriginal foster homes and discussing relevant issues related to fostering within the community.
Elders
The OAC is thankful to collaborate with several elders in Ottawa. During the community forum, three elders delivered opening and closing remarks for the event. Their biographies are provided below.