Welcome to Our Gathering, 2021
Our Gathering kexwkexwntsút chet, tə sq̓əq̓ip is an annual event co-hosted by the First Nations Leadership Council, Indigenous Services Canada, and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada which provides a space for meaningful discussions between First Nations leaders, community members, and the Government of Canada. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s sessions were hosted virtually in March and June.
The First Nations Public Service Secretariat (FNPSS) team has been proud to support the Our Gathering, 2021 events on March 10 & 11 and June 23 & 24 by providing the virtual platform, logistics and planning, as well as technical support during sessions for all participants. If you have any questions about Our Gathering, 2021, feel free to contact the FNPSS team at og2021@fnps.ca.
This page acted as the hub for participants during the 2021 virtual events. Scroll down for information and resources from the June 23 and 24 sessions, as well as statistics from the March sessions.
The following organizations act as co-hosts for Our Gathering:
- Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) works collaboratively with partners to improve access to high-quality services for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. Their vision is to support and empower Indigenous peoples to independently deliver services and address the socio-economic conditions in their communities.
- Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) continues to renew the nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, government-to-government relationship between Canada and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis; modernize Government of Canada structures to enable Indigenous peoples to build capacity and support their vision of self-determination; and lead the Government of Canada’s work in the North.
- The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is comprised of the political executives of the BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN), the First Nations Summit (FNS), and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC). This group works together to develop coordinated approaches to issues relevant to First Nations communities throughout the province.
June 23 & 24 Session Snapshot
On June 23 and 24, 2021, for the second virtual gathering of 2021, representatives from First Nations and other levels of government came together to share and discuss a variety of topics tailored specifically for those in First Nations administration. Administration is an integral part of how Nations run day-to-day operations, and the work has only gotten more complicated during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, these sessions were designed to provide an opportunity for those who work in First Nations administration to connect directly with others from across the province with similar titles and to hold discussions with representatives from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) on a variety of topics relevant to Band Administration and the future of each of their nations.
Co-hosts Indigenous Services Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and the First Nations Leadership Council, as well as our Moderators Jessie Hemphill and Harold Tarbell, would like to thank all of you who attended this virtual event.
Day 1, June 23: Session Topics
- Panel on 10-Year Grants
- Nation-to-Nation sharing on capacity development and the journey to self-determination
- How can ISC work better with and serve First Nation Administrators
Day 2, June 24: Session Topics
- First Nations Public Service Secretariat (FNPSS) Info Session
- Professional and Institutional Development (P&ID) Session
- Concurrent Networking & Information Session Rooms
- Informal Networking session between First Nations and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) representatives
- Indigenous Community Support Fund - Information Session
June Session Resources
presentation - P&ID program
Traditional cultural Supports
Throughout Our Gathering, 2021, we have had conversations about a variety of topics that may weigh heavy on the minds and hearts of those in attendance, particularly during this extremely difficult year.
With that in mind, during both the June and March sessions, if any participants felt the need to step back from any of the sessions, we had a separate space available for participants to have one-on-one traditional cultural support sessions with trained First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) counsellors.
We would like to thank the organizations Tsow Tun Le Lum and the Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) for providing trained counsellors for the March 10 and 11 event as well as the June 23 and 24 sessions.
Health and Cultural Support Organizations
- Tsow Tun Le Lum (Helping House): Visit their website.
- Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS): Visit their website.
- The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA): Visit their website.
March 10-11 Session Snapshot
On March 10 and 11, 2021, representatives from First Nations and other levels of government came together to share and discuss a variety of topics including responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, Specific Claims, and Bill C-15 Canada’s proposed legislation to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Co-hosts Indigenous Services Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and the First Nations Leadership Council, as well as our Moderators Jessie Hemphill and Harold Tarbell, would like to thank all of you who attended this virtual event.
Day 1, March 10: Session Topics
- Communication “Best Practices” - Breakout Session
- Emergency Management “Responding to a Global Pandemic” - Breakout Session
- Education “Supporting First Nations Learners Through COVID-19” - Breakout Session
- Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women - Plenary
- Emergency Management “Community to Community Sharing” - Breakout Session
- Economic Development “Indigenous Economic Recovery Initiatives” - Breakout Session
Day 2, March 11: Session Topics
- Leadership Armchair Discussion - Plenary
- Specific Claims Update - Plenary
- UNDRIP Bill C-14 Update - Plenary
Quick Statistics about the March 10 and 11 Sessions
631 individuals registered for the event
347 registrants attended Day 1, and 323 attended Day 2
Over 135 different BC First Nations communities were represented, with 172 Chief or Council members and 185 First Nations administration staff registered
16 First Nations Elders participated
30 Speakers attended, representing a variety of First Nations communities, organizations, and the Government of Canada
5 First Nations youth registered
3 organizations provided traditional cultural supports, with 10 counsellors available during the entirety of each day for private support
24 volunteers supported the event
Social Feeds
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Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day! Join us today as we celebrate and honour the diverse cultures, traditions, and contributions of Indigenous people.
#NationalIndigenousPeoplesDay
Application reminder for the 2024 First Nations Well-Being Fund! For additional details on each funding stream and eligibility, and to apply, visit our website: https://ow.ly/thfE50RRPSw.
#FirstNations #WellBeing #Funding #FNPSS
FNPSS is hiring a full-time Accounting Technician to support the First Nations Public Service Secretariat. Strong judgement, integrity, and attention to detail are essential. Apply now! https://ow.ly/kQIY50SittR
#hiring #finance #accounting #fnpss
BC First Nations Public Service Scholarship applications open until Oct 4, 2024! Open to Indigenous applicants in non-elected roles supporting governance/professional capacity development. For more info and to apply, visit the link in our bio! #Scholarship
Applications are now open for the 2024 First Nations Well-Being Fund! For additional details on each funding stream and eligibility, and to apply, visit our website: https://ow.ly/thfE50RRPSw.
#FirstNations #WellBeing #Funding #FNPSS
Registration is now open! Calling all Band Managers, CAOs and Executive Directors! FNPSS’ third offering of Foundations of First Nations Administration (FFNA) begins in October 2024.
This introductory course will cover a variety of key topics essential to First Nations governance and public administration. This course will take place over 9 weeks in a hybrid model, with one in-person week in Kelowna, BC, and all other sessions held virtually via Zoom.
FFNA participants will be joined by expert facilitators and keynote speakers to deliver First Nations-tailored training sessions in areas such as Human Resources, Economic Development, Financial Fundamentals and more! Participants will finish the course with new and applicable skills to help with their daily responsibilities, and a new network of Band Administrators from across the province with similar challenges to connect with.
To register: ow.ly/AK3G50SAMV6
For more information visit: ow.ly/BqRx50SAJe2. Please note that registration is limited!
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Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day! Join us today as we celebrate and honour the diverse cultures, traditions, and contributions of Indigenous people.
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Application reminder for the 2024 First Nations Well Being Fund!
Deadline to apply: June 23rd, 2024, at 11:59pm (Pacific Standard Time). Applications received before this date will be given priority. FNPSS will continue to accept and review applications beyond June 23, 2024, if funding is available.
The First Nations Well Being Fund has been developed and is being implemented by FNPSS in order to support First Nations in their efforts to promote well-being, increase quality of life for all community members and reduce poverty at the community and Nation level.
There are two streams of project funding available: Stream 1: Community Projects and Stream 2: Wellness Planning Projects.
Stream 1 - A maximum of $250,000 will be available.
Stream 2 – A maximum of $50,000 will be available.
First Nations who received project funding in a previous round of the First Nations Well Being Fund should contact FNPSS to discuss eligibility under the current funding opportunity.
For additional details on each funding stream and eligibility, and to apply, visit our website: ow.ly/TJuh50RRPMQ
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FNPSS is hiring one full-time Accounting Technician to support the First Nations Public Service Secretariat initiative within the First Nations Summit Society.
The Accounting Technician is crucial to our operations and assists with full-cycle accounting needs. The Accounting Technician ensures FNPSS has financial information that is timely, accurate, and can be fully relied upon to support the needs of operational management and strategic planning of the organization. The Accounting Technician works directly with FNPSS executive, staff, BC First Nations and other levels of government.
The position will require an individual who shows strong judgement, integrity and discretion. We are looking for someone with a strong attention to detail, excellent written and verbal communication skills; and strong organizational skills with the ability to balance multiple competing priorities.
To learn more and apply: ow.ly/q6JF50SituV
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Scholarship applications are open until October 4, 2024!
The scholarship is valid for up to two years in the amount of up to $1,500.
The BC First Nations Public Service Scholarship is open to Indigenous applicants working in a non-elected role in any BC First Nation government or First Nation organization that supports governance and/or professional capacity development which contributes to the improved programming, services, or governance of a First Nation community, excluding applicants working in for-profit organizations.
Credit or non-credit programs delivered by an accredited post-secondary institution are eligible.
Any application for this scholarship must be submitted by completing the online form by no later than 4:30 p.m. on October 4, 2024, with notification to the successful candidate being given by the Local Government Management Association of British Columbia by December 13, 2024, at the latest.
For any inquiry, please contact office@lgma.ca
For more information, and to apply, visit ow.ly/cCpN50Sc5Mp
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