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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Missed our Na Beh Ste Sharing Webinar? Catch up on our Youtube Channel now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqR4FFy3KT4
Join FNPSS and Takla Nation on March 8th for our next Sharing Webinar. Takla Nation will discuss their Na Beh Ste Internship Program, designed to provide Indigenous youth experience working in First Nations governance.
Register here: http://ow.ly/rHuQ50N2lB1
Join FNPSS and Takla Nation on March 8th for our next Sharing Webinar. Takla Nation will discuss their Na Beh Ste Internship Program, designed to provide Indigenous youth experience working in First Nations governance.
Register here: http://ow.ly/rHuQ50N2lB1
Mark your calendars! The First Nation Public Service Secretariat Annual Conference 2023 will be held on November 21-23, 2023 at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver, BC. Registration will open at a later date.
Sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date: http://ow.ly/l4RT50N1pkQ
Looking to expand your skills in human resources? FNPSS's Human Resources Management Training Academy (MTA) is running this March 2023 in Vancouver, BC! For more information and to register for this popular course, please visit: http://ow.ly/g6gZ50M68gH
We welcome you to join FNPSS and Takla Nation on March 8th for our next Sharing Webinar. Takla Nation will discuss their Na Beh Ste Internship Program, a unique and innovative culturally immersed program designed to provide Indigenous youth with experience working in First Nations governance.
FNPSS sharing webinars are informal conversations to provide a space for First Nations to discuss progress, challenges, and ideas with those in similar roles. The webinar will be 60-minutes in duration, with time reserved for a Q&A period.
For more information, contact mentorship@fnps.ca.
Register here: ow.ly/5Ygx50N2l83
We welcome you to join FNPSS and Takla Nation on March 8th for our next Sharing Webinar. Takla Nation will discuss their Na Beh Ste Internship Program, a unique and innovative culturally immersed program designed to provide Indigenous youth with experience working in First Nations governance.
FNPSS sharing webinars are informal conversations to provide a space for First Nations to discuss progress, challenges, and ideas with those in similar roles. The webinar will be 60-minutes in duration, with time reserved for a Q&A period.
For more information, contact mentorship@fnps.ca.
Register here: ow.ly/5Ygx50N2l83
Mark your calendars! The First Nation Public Service Secretariat Annual Conference 2023 will be held on November 21-23, 2023 at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver, BC.
Join us to engage and network with BC First Nations Administration, Senior Management, Elected Leaders, Federal and Provincial government and other First Nations support institutions.
Travel will be supported for eligible First Nation delegates. Registration will open at a later date.
Sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date: ow.ly/XYf550N1pjH
Looking to expand your skills in human resources? Join FNPSS for the Human Resources Management Training Academy (HR) running in-person this March 2023 in Vancouver, BC! This very popular workshop will explore topics such as HR planning development, recruitment, performance management, plan monitoring, evaluation and more. Spots are limited and fill up quickly – register now: ow.ly/tmYQ50M685n
First Nations youth aged 18-29 who are currently working or are interested in working in the areas of human resources and administration are also highly encouraged to contact FNPSS for more information at info@fnps.ca.