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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Applications are now open for the 2023 First Nations Well Being Fund!
For additional details on each funding stream and eligibility, and to apply: https://ow.ly/lSZ750PO29b
Register now for the 2023 FNPSS Conference – Taking Root!
To support BC First Nations public service, FNPSS offers paid registration, travel, and accommodation for two delegates per BC First Nation.
http://ow.ly/gIaf50Ox90u
Calling all Band Managers, CAOs and Executive Directors – mark your calendars! FNPSS’ Foundations of First Nations Administration (FFNA) course is being offered once again, beginning in August 2023.
For more information: https://ow.ly/BKig50OLHNG
Registration is now open for the 2023 FNPSS Annual Conference – Taking Root!
Join us for a thought-provoking two days to explore how First Nations governance administrations are "Taking Root."
http://ow.ly/gIaf50Ox90u
Interested in learning about some of our facilitators for this year? Read on to find out more!
https://fnps.ca/meet-the-facilitators-2023/
Applications are now open for the 2023 First Nations Well Being Fund!
Deadline to apply: December 31, 2023, 11:59pm (PST).
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: Planning Projects.
For additional details on each funding stream and eligibility, and to apply: ow.ly/rJQG50PO26M
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Register now for the 2023 FNPSS Conference – Taking Root!
We invite leadership, administrators, and senior managers from all BC First Nations, delegates from First Nations governance and service organizations, and government and other partners to join us for a thought-provoking two days that will explore how First Nations governance administrations are "Taking Root."
To support BC First Nations public service, FNPSS offers paid registration, travel, and accommodation for two delegates per BC First Nation.
ow.ly/gIaf50Ox90u
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Applications are now open for the BC First Nations Public Service Scholarship!
The scholarship supports Indigenous professionals in BC First Nation governments to access training for Administration or management of public services. Each scholarship is valid for up to two years in the amount of up to $1,500 and will be provided to the successful candidate(s) specified post-secondary institution upon proof of registration.
To learn more regarding eligibility and upcoming deadlines: ow.ly/C53c50PqOKP
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Peggy M Hewa Marambage
Last chance to register with our Early Bird pricing for the 2023 FNPSS Annual Conference – Taking Root!
We invite leadership, administrators, and senior managers from all BC First Nations, delegates from First Nations governance and service organizations, and government and other partners to join us for a thought-provoking two days that will explore how First Nations governance administrations are "Taking Root."
Through a series of keynote speakers, plenaries, workshops, and networking and partnership opportunities, participants will delve into the many ways strong roots for collective growth in First Nations governance and administration are being developed. Join us as we focus on building and gaining capacity through strong rooted governance systems, and people to bring them to life.
Register before August 31st for Early Bird pricing: ow.ly/gIaf50Ox90u
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Calling all Band Managers, CAOs and Executive Directors – mark your calendars! FNPSS’ Foundations of First Nations Administration (FFNA) course is being offered once again, beginning in August 2023. This introductory, comprehensive course will take place over 6-weeks in a hybrid model. This includes an in-person session at the beginning in Victoria, BC and an in-person session at the end in Prince George, BC. This course will be co-facilitated by leadership mentor and motivational speaker, Zandra Ross. FFNA will also feature expert facilitators and keynote speakers in areas such as Human Resources, Economic Development, Financial Fundamentals and more!
For more information please visit: ow.ly/el2e50OLHHO
Please note that registration is very limited!
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