Aboriginal Reference Group Meeting Minutes

Draft Minutes

Opening ceremonies were started at 9:30 by Paul Skanks and the meeting was called to order around 9:45am at the Fairmont Hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Co-Chair Selection

• The ARG nominated Doreen Saulis and Damon Johnston as Co-Chairs for the ARG.

Video Update

• Dale Monture excused herself from the room while the ARG discussed the video project, since she was considering to bid on the project.

• Pat informed the ARG that the video RFP's have been completed and are being posted on the VSI website. However some of the earlier versions of the RFP's were sent to ARG members and other VSI staff, these must have circulated, since Pat has had some enquires before the RFP's hit the VSI website. One proposal had arrived based on the old RFP.

• VSI indicated that they are sorting out the funding issues regarding the video project. The main difficulty seems to be with budgets for next year. Susan Carter and Havi are working on this with Heritage Canada. A proposal was submitted to Heritage by Havi to access the funding required for the video project. From this Havi sent to Pat questions regarding the video project for the ARG consideration.

• ARG found the questions offensive and inappropriate in nature. Pat was asked were they were generated from and the only indication from VSI was that the RFP's had been sent to various government departments as well as the Awareness Table for comment and input and this is what came back.

• ARG agreed that the process of selection of the firm for the video project would rest with the ARG Steering Committee.

• Who will own the video? - The ARG wants final approval on content and script.
• Can distribution of the video be done by the government?

Awareness Table Co-Chair Jerome Moisan

• Key mission of the Awareness Table is to sensitize the Canadian society on the contributions made from the voluntary sector. They have produced a action plan that is national and local community in scope with common messages regarding the voluntary sector. Specific projects include the Voluntary Sector Awards, showcasing voluntary organizations at the community levels. Promote partnership with the corporate community at the small and medium business level. The third big project is to promote and attract youth to the volunteer sector.

• Just prior to meeting with the ARG Mr. Moisan had an opportunity to review the ARG workplan. The ARG workplan had not been seen before this time. Mr. Moisan indicated a desire to work with the ARG to provide relevant information and activities that are needed for the Aboriginal communities in the voluntary sector. He noted that many of the ARG workplan activities are tied either to the Awareness table or the Capacity table. Mr. Moisan suggested that the ARG Co-Chairs meet with the Co-Chairs from the Capacity and Awareness Joint Tables to review the workplan and possible projects in the future.

• The Awareness Table wants to create awareness, create tools and messages and information kits, materials that will support voluntarism. Would the Aboriginal community like to be educated on the voluntary opportunities that exist within mainstream. What kind of national campaign, north of 60 would reach the Aboriginal communities.

• The Awareness Table will be meeting either in March or June this would be an opportunity to have the ARG come and meet the table and provide a presentation for discussion. Mr. Moisan will ensure a invitation is extended.

• ARG provided some basic feedback to Mr. Moisan on communicating or involving the Aboriginal community in Awareness Table projects and activities. The following suggestions were put forward. 1) Use Aboriginal people and organizations to reach the Aboriginal community; 2) Provide a 1-800 number for people to call into; 3) Use basic language -plain letter text to communicate messages. Use Aboriginal languages including the two dialects of Inukuttit for information sharing.

• The ARG thanked Mr. Moisan for coming to the meeting and indicated that they look forward to meeting with him again regarding ARG workplan and other collaborations. The Co-Chairs of the ARG will be following up with correspondence to set up a meeting.

Joint Accord Table Update

The ARG embarked on an extensive discussion concerning the discussion paper that Pat had tabled with the Co-Chair of the JAT and the VSI and ARG in regard to participating within the Accord Implementation. The ARG needed to make several decisions these are:

• participation on the three working group committees formed by the JAT table dealing with Codes of Standards/Practices on Funding, Standards, Policy Development.

• determine if the ARG wanted to pursue with the JAT a separate working group table dedicated to only dealing with Aboriginal issues and the implementation of the Accord.

• approve of a consultation strategy for a national Aboriginal communities using the $50,000.00 from the Accord Table - from now until March on Accord implementation.

ARG made the following decisions.

• The following ARG members volunteered to be part of the Working Group Tables. Funding Working Group - Mr. Ed Lavelle; Policy Working Group - Mr. George Monroe; Structure Working Group - Mr. Ron Rivard and Mr. Damon Johnston.

• The ARG would also contact all other ARG not attending this meeting and ask if they would be interested to have their names stand for any of the Working Groups. Depending on ARG schedules would determine their appointment to the Working Groups.

• The ARG would pursue the formation of an Aboriginal Working Group to work in collaboration with the ARG on Accord issues and the impact to Aboriginal communities. The Working Group members (if a table is approved by VSI) would have the ARG members who sit on the other three working groups and the ARG Co-Chairs to consistency purposes. The ARG Co-Chairs were asked by the ARG to pursue this recommendation and approval by the VSI.

• The ARG would embark on an Accord Implementation Information Gathering Sessions between now and March 31, 2002 in the following cities. ARG members volunteered to help host the sessions in their regions. If budget permits the locations would be the following. Whitehorse - Cheryl Mclean; Winnipeg - George Monroe; Saskatoon, Friendship Centre should be involved - Ron Rivard; Nunavant - Millie Evalik; Halifax - Friendship Centre should be approached; Edmonton - Ed Lavalle and maybe Kim Ghostkeeper; Montreal/Kahnawake - Dale Monture.

January 30, 2002

Pooled Consultations

• The ARG Co-Chairs will ask the VSI if the ARG can arrange to attend the pooled consultation scheduled for Montreal to host their own consultation with the Tables and participants. The ARG members will also agree to attending the individual sessions at the following city locations.

  Calgary	Ed Lavalle
  Saint John	Doreen Saulis
  Winnipeg	George Monroe, Damon Johnston
  Saskatoon	Ron Rivard

• The ARG will send out letters to all members of the ARG making them aware of these sessions and asking if others would like to attend the meeting.

ARG Budget and Co-ordination

The ARG decided to go in-camera to review staffing options and budget considerations. The following decisions were reportedly made.

• Pat would be asked to stay on until March 31, 2002. She may also be asked afterward to join the ARG as a member;
• The Co-Chairs will meet with Havi and Susan Carter to determine ARG budget and request a budgeted about for the year based on the ARG workplan for a full time Co-ordinator;
• The Co-ordinator position should be advertised and hiring process used;
• Pat would be asked to bill for all work done to date;
• The Co-Chairs will ask for clarification on who the Co-ordinator reports to and what the contract looks like;
• Pat will be asked to update the workplan and develop a new budget for next fiscal year consideration for the ARG activities and co-ordination;
• Cheryl McLean will draft a terms of reference for the Co-Chairs duties and responsibilities.

Other Actions and Decisions

• The ARG asked that the Co-ordinator draft a letter to be sent to all Co-Chairs of Joint Tables to meet with them regarding ARG activities and budget;

• The ARG asked that the Co-ordinator draft a letter to the JCC and CVI Joint Table about the inaccurate statement made in the CVI report that the ARG was consulted and agreed with the published report of the CVI. The letter should clearly state this was totally inaccurate and inappropriate action, since the ARG specifically indicated the meeting with Colleen Kelly was for information purposes and not consultation.