OAC Community Forum - February 1, 2018
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 provides an overview of the OAC and its partners' updates and activities. It begins with welcome messages from the OAC, Mayor Jim Watson, and Councillor Diane Deans, followed by the agenda for the Aboriginal Community Forum. The document includes updates from OAC members and details the Aboriginal Community Advisory Board's activities in 2016, the City of Ottawa's Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, the Ottawa Urban Indigenous Health Strategy, and a history project undertaken by the OAC. Additionally, it highlights a community-driven initiative focused on housing and homelessness and acknowledges the contributions of community members.
Key Updates:
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Staff Changes: Wendy Lanouette has left her position as OAC Coordinator after ten years of service. Elena Abel has been hired as Community Developer, and Whitney Knott as part-time Administrative Coordinator.
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Housing and Homelessness Research Project: A community-driven research project funded by the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres is underway, culminating in a documentary that showcases the experiences of four Indigenous individuals facing homelessness in Ottawa.
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Partnerships and Committees: Continued participation in the Aboriginal Working Committee and the Aboriginal Community Advisory Committee (ACAB) for Housing First.
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Community Engagement and Events: Coordination of Aboriginal Awareness Day and cross-cultural workshops, as well as an Elder’s lunch to gather input on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action.
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Funding and Strategic Planning: Successful funding agreements with Indigenous and Northern Affairs and ongoing efforts to seek new funding opportunities.
Areas of Focus:
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Housing and Homelessness: Addressing affordable housing and culturally-based intensive case management for the Indigenous community.
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Community Collaboration: Strengthening partnerships with the City of Ottawa and other stakeholders to enhance community services and support for Aboriginal members.
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Cultural Awareness: Promoting Aboriginal awareness through community events and workshops that encourage cross-cultural understanding.
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Truth and Reconciliation: Actively working on the municipal response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action.
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Strategic Development: Updating the OAC’s strategic plan to align with community needs and priorities, ensuring effective service delivery.
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.
