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Metis Manitoba
Success
through Dynamic
Partnerships
Fall 2014
Publication Agreement #40027283
ROGER SMITH
Class 1 Driver
Financial aid provided by
Metis Employment & Training
youtube.com/user/MMFemployment
mmfemployment.ca
Contents
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greetings from president Chartrand
Greetings from Minister Fleury
MMF: The proof of power in MET partnerships
MET Overview
MMF & asets: a focus on partnerships
Metis Employment & Training
Magazine is published in
met success stories
MET: Reading and Writing with Riel
conjunction with the Manitoba
louis riel bursaries & MET
Metis Federation’s Metis
the MEDO & met
Employment & Training
weri never tires of rewarding met partnerships
At the COR: Safety Certification for Metis Business
Riel House National Historic Site
department which operates
through funds provided by the
Aboriginal Skills and Employment
Metis Youth: Confidence and Leadership
Training Strategy (ASETS)
MET & MEDF: Partnerships for prosperity
Agreement with Employment &
MET & LRCC: Helping Metis business succeed
Skills Development Canada (ESDC).
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Life can be great for these
Metis citizens who chose
the MET path!
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Louis Riel Institute scores
a cultural triple play as
they educate, facilitate
and partner.
Contributors
John Vandale, Ryan Germain, Luke Crofford,
Brad McAllister, Scott Taylor, Don Marks,
Kerry Smith, Tracey Como, Sharon Parenteau
Canadian Postmaster
Send address changes and undeliverable
copies (covers only) to:
Collective Spark Communications
781 Berkley Street Winnipeg, MB R3R 1K2
Printed in Canada
ISSN 0715-3651
Postage paid in Winnipeg, MB
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Metis Employment & Training
A message from the Manitoba Metis Federation President,
David Chartrand
These are momentous times for the Metis Nation. The Metis are a people
who occupied the northwest fur trade lands a long time before Canada was
born. We were a free and enterprising people then; and we are a free and
enterprising and entrepreneurial people today. Never have I been more
confident in the future of my people.
It must be recognized that there are immense challenges in creating
employment, educational and business opportunities for Metis. Both
industry and governments have finally begun to recognize what an
important human resource Metis represent. In an age of impending labour
shortages, it makes sense to draw on the fastest-growing demographic and
relatively youthful Metis population for the skills that will be required to
grow the Manitoba and Canadian economy five, ten or twenty years from
now. We have the solution.
The Manitoba Metis Federation’s Metis Employment and Training
department, along with our economic development and educational
affiliates, are prepared to discuss this matter with anyone and to listen to what industry and other stakeholders
may offer by way of solutions.
Partnering with industry, post-secondary institutions, governments and other stakeholders is critical to our
achieving a successful future for the Metis people of Manitoba. As this publication highlights, we have already
accomplished a great deal in this regard within our Metis Employment and Training department and our related
affiliates in economic development and education.
Fundamentally, what we are seeking is opportunity. Opportunities are opening up for our people everyday. Certain
opportunities were promised to us in the past. These promises may not have been lived up to and that is slowly
being rectified as we move forward.
When it comes to creating opportunity for our people, we are open for business. Others, whether government
or industry, are beginning to develop as much of an open door policy towards Metis as we ourselves are prepared
to do.
Believe in Yourself — Believe in Metis
Meeqwetch
David Chartrand, L.L. D (Hon.)
Metis Employment & Training
A message from the MMF ASETS Minister,
John Fleury
As the Minister of the Aboriginal Skills and Training strategy program,
I feel it is important to develop a strong linkage between Metis labour force
development and Metis economic development. The one can support
the other.
Economic development means not just participation in economic growth
and development projects driven by corporate and public investment; but
fostering the development on a sustainable basis of Metis enterprise and
economic development with a capacity to provide employment for our
people. Our labour market programs can support skills development for
strategic economic goals and foster partnerships with employers to meet
labour market needs.
Our most successful partnerships to date have been with local and regional
employers. Small and medium-sized businesses are a very significant
source of jobs and economic growth and we will continue to work with
them to help our people find jobs. But larger national employers are also
important and we would like to hear from them too. Nor should we neglect the role of Metis enterprise. Metis were
the original entrepreneurs of Manitoba and continue to thrive. They are potentially one of the more important
sources of sustainable employment for Metis.
With good will and a fair playing field, I am sure we will succeed in creating continued opportunities for Metis to
prosper within Manitoba and to contribute to the Canadian economy, as we build a brighter future for all Metis.
Meeqwetch!
John Fleury
MMF ASETS Minister
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Metis Employment & Training
The Proof of
Power
in MET Partnerships
President David Chartrand looks toward building
partnerships that will shape the next generation of Metis
Q1: How did the Manitoba Metis
Federation decide to develop outside partnerships with industry?
David Chartrand: As president, the
partnership strategy stems from our
minister’s vision. I want to commend
John Fleury for his vision, making sure
that the majority of our strategy is built
on establishing partnerships. He saw
the opportunity. We have Metis people, traditionally in trades, [who] have a
vast amount of different skill sets. He
decided it was wise to create private
sector relationships. We started creating these partnerships sometime
ago now and they proved to be quite
fruitful. We’ve been quite successful
in creating the jobs, targets we set in
partnership with [the Government of]
Canada. We are talking about large
investments in individuals. We felt it
was wiser to actually create the partnership directly with the private sector
and invest in that partnership, which
would guarantee a job. That strategy is
proving quite fruitful for us.
Q2: How do private sector partnerships work?
DC: We look at industry as a whole
and we look at the growing trends [in]
industry. If there is a major need in the
trucking industry, then we shift ourselves to meet that particular need.
If it’s in the health field—for example,
nursing—then we shift direction towards that. We don’t ever abandon
people’s dreams of wanting to be
plumbers, lawyers or doctors.
For example, we had a meeting with
Maxim, a large Canadian corporation
in the trucking industry, that has its
headquarters in Winnipeg. Maxim
has actually built its industry based
on the principle of developing their
people for the long term. We signed
an agreement with Maxim as a partner. Maxim has various sectors of
employment within the company.
I’ve got a person in Maxim’s body
shop, for example.
We now have to look in our inventory of Metis people [who need jobs]
and tie the two together: pre-train,
Metis Employment & Training
pre-develop and get them ready for
those jobs. I applaud our staff for
their hard work and, more importantly, I applaud our Metis people,
who are quite willing to move, if necessary, to where the jobs are. That is
the entrepreneurial style of the Metis people.
Q3: Has there been steady growth
in the development of small- and
medium-sized partnerships? How
do you see the trend, and how do
you feel this strategy is working?
DC: There are partnership opportunities of all sizes. The success of
the Metis Federation in our partnerships has really been in small- and
medium-sized businesses. They are
very flexible to work with. They seem
to shift with our needs and also we
shift with their needs. It’s proven
very successful. I think word gets
around. The federation has a strong
reputation for its productivity and
the private sector trusts our credentials. We don’t have a problem
creating partners—that’s one thing
for sure. One thing about Manitoba
businesses is they are definitely
willing to look at partnerships.
In Manitoba, there is a big movement [to build] hydro dams and develop bipole lines. We are [looking]
at where we fit in that sector. It gets
more complicated because [of] unions and [companies have] to make
sure they make money. The proponent or the Crown on the other side
is trying to get the cheapest deal
they can so the profit margins are
limited, and ensuring Aboriginal and
Metis people, in particular, are [going to] get jobs [is a] challenge. We
have got to do a lot of homework.
Q4: How comfortable is MMF
when you are looking to negotiate with Manitoba Hydro
to implement training or job
opportunities when new projects come up, especially in
the North? How successful has
the MMF been at being able to
advocate and develop these
opportunities?
DC: Dealing with bigger industry
presents challenges which we are
prepared to meet on a variety of
levels. Our staff can manage [but]
it can be a challenge because usually contracts are won by massive
companies and usually they bring
in their own crews from out of province. To deal with this, we are now
working directly with our Metis contractors, accessing training or the
required certification and bidding
on these contracts.
In our discussions with Hydro [about]
transporting clear-cut fir from The
Pas to Cowan, the contract deliverables themselves are simple. Certain
sections of land are being cleared for
Bipole III. Delivering on the opportunity is where we face considerable
challenges. If it’s the Metis government that is given the opportunity to
co-ordinate a job such as this, I have
to be aware of the short- and longterm impacts of it. If I hire a big company to complete the work, the problem is the same locally. That company
would bring in its own crew and only
provide very few local jobs with little
long-term benefit to the region or the
Metis people living there. It would be
my preference to use local contractors to do the job, but on the other
hand I am challenged by a lack of Metis businesses in Manitoba with the
capacity to handle this kind of job.
I need to find a way for our Metis government to help businesses build up
that capacity whether by helping
create a consortium or other form
of partnership, or by a capital investment of some kind to make them
bigger and more capable. For example, [a small Metis company has] two
graders but needs three. If I have the
clear-cutting contract I can offer: “I’ll
buy you a third clearing machine, but
I’ll deduct the cost while you’re doing
the work.’ Now I’ve left that company
with a larger inventory so they can
bid for bigger tenders.
I look at it from a bigger context:
How does it help our people, how
does it help Metis businesses compete in the bigger markets? Right
now, we can’t. We just don’t have
the infrastructure, the equipment or
the bonding to tender at that level.
Q5: You’ve developed relationships
with Red River College, the University of Winnipeg and the University
of Manitoba. How successful has
the MMF been at putting Metis students in the classroom?
DC: We’re investing in our citizens
who want to pursue a career. We’ve
created our own endowment funds;
the Louis Riel Bursaries. The bursaries are given out through these postsecondary institutions in Manitoba:
University of Manitoba, University of
Winnipeg, Brandon University, Université de Saint-Boniface and University College of the North. We are
at $14 million and growing, and it will
keep on going. We’re already seeing
the benefit. We are seeing a lot of our
people now receiving some of these
endowment funds to help offset their
high university costs.
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Metis Employment & Training
In the past, colleges haven’t approached it from this direction. But
now that they have seen [us] investing in long-term endowment funds,
they are saying: ‘Why don’t we create our own endowment funds?’”
So colleges are changing their planning which means the investment
of endowment funds is there in perpetuity. We know that generation
after generation can apply for it.
There is such a large Metis population here (100,000) so we’ve got to
look at all the other variables. It’s essential we push curriculum-driven
processes that are more beneficial to
our people. Right now we are still behind but we are pushing that agenda.
At present, the Louis Riel Institute
is talking to Red River College about
joining the bursaries program. We
have quite a substantial amount
invested and we are seeing a great
return from our own people, who are
taking advantage of these opportunities and are pursuing their careers.
Q6: How do you define success
when it comes to your private sector partnerships?
DC: We can definitely pat ourselves
on the back for creating jobs. However, success is when we know that
the individual we’ve invested in is
now fully trained and has full-time,
long-term employment [resulting
from an industry partnership]. You
need to see the long-term because
now the Metis family buys a house
and purchases their own assets for
the future. Now [those assets are]
going to help their children when
they want to buy a house [gaining]
some stability as a family. We don’t
just judge our success by just getting
someone a job, we judge it by ensuring we have stability in families.
We truly have created a model, a
brand. The federation brand is essential to us; it’s our government,
our Metis government and people
look up to that name. It’s very important that we keep that name brand
properly intact. Our vision is to keep
advancing partnerships.
You can’t see success [in] one or two
years; I’m seeing success decades
ahead now. [The] person in the body
shop for Maxim [now has] a longterm job; they are set for the next
10 to 20 years in that job. But I know
this Metis citizen is going to take
care of his family and make sure his
children are going to have a better
chance in the future and be able to
support their children in college or
university in the event the federation doesn’t have the resources in
the future. That family will continue
to carry on, no matter what happens. The stability created for that
family—that is success.
Watch the full video interview
at www.mmf.mb.ca/presidentinterview
Metis Employment & Training
MET Overview
M
anitoba Metis Federation’s Metis Employment
& Training operates through funds provided
under the Aboriginal Skills and Employment
Training Strategy (ASETS) Agreement. This is an agreement between Canada and the MMF that provides funding for labour market driven employment and skills training programs. Partnerships with industry employers are a
major focus of the ASETS Agreement, and the MMF has
always seen partnerships and strategic planning as central to ensuring the best possible outcome for its Metis
citizens. Through a variety of successful partnerships, our
clients have a history of answering employers’ needs for
qualified staff, while securing long-term, quality employment and careers for themselves.
Through the ASETS Agreement we are able to design
employment and skills training programs & services that
best serve the needs of our Metis community and our
Metis citizens.
Metis Employment & Training provides a wide range of
services to clients seeking employment and training assistance. Our friendly staff team is available to provide
individual employment needs assessments and to assist
clients in the development of career goals and employment action plans.
Services Available
Who Can Participate?
Eligible Training Institutions:
• Employment / Career Counseling
• Information on:
• employment opportunities
• Manitoba’s labour market
• training & career options/opportunities
• bursaries and scholarships
• community resources
• educational institutions
• Job search assistance including
resume & cover letter preparation
• Computer access for job search
purposes
• Financial assistance for skills training and employment programs and
opportunities
• Opportunities with employers to
obtain valuable hands-on work
experience
• Referrals to employers for direct
employment opportunities
You may be eligible for our employment programs and services if you are:
• Recognized and accredited training institutions including:
• Colleges and Universities and
other public training and education institutions
• Private vocational Institutions
• Private training organizations
• a Metis, Non-Status or Inuit individual and are a resident of Manitoba
• unemployed, under-employed or at
risk of losing your job and actively
seeking employment
However, job search support assistance is available to anyone requiring
assistance.
Eligible Training:
• Occupational or Industry recognized skills training
• Trades and Apprenticeship training
• Co-operative education programs
• Final year of study in a first
undergraduate degree program
• Academic upgrading
• Essential skills training linked to a
specific skills training program
Eligible Employers:
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Private sector employers
Non-profit and community groups
Crown corporations
Public health and education institutions
• Municipalities, bands and tribal
councils
Metis
Employment
& Training
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Metis Employment & Training
Met
Emp
& Tr
MMF & ASETS:
A Focus on
Partnerships
T
he MMF’s Employment
and Training programs operate through funds provided under the Aboriginal Skills
and Employment Training Strategy
(ASETS) from Employment & Skills
Development Canada (ESDC) and
are administered by the Metis Employment & Training Department.
Partnerships are a major focus of
the ASETS Agreement, and the
MMF has always seen partnerships
and strategic planning as central to
ensuring the best possible outcome
for its clients.
nerships are developed and managed either through the MMF Home
Office or, when regional in scope,
through one or more of the MMF’s
seven regional offices.
The MMF’s partnerships are formed
with industry, government, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions, as well as internal
MMF departments, to combine resources, establish links to meaningful employment and create unique
training opportunities. These part-
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Partnerships are designed to address current and anticipated labour
market demands and to enhance
the knowledge, skills and employability of our clients.
Partnerships can be administered
through a variety of program types,
including:
Project-based Training Programs
Targeted Wage Subsidies
Job Opportunity Subsidies
Job Creation Partnerships
Labour Market Partnerships
Trades and Apprenticeship
Programs
• Summer Career Placements
Through a variety of successful
partnerships, MMF clients have
a history of answering employers’ needs for qualified staff, while
securing worthwhile careers for
themselves. The MMF continues to
pursue an expanding range of partnership opportunities, with the goal
of effectively meeting the changing needs of the labour market and
our clients.
Project-Based Training
Project-Based Training Programs
train clients in a specific trade,
occupation or skill, and focus on
addressing a specific labour market need. Accurate labour market information is necessary and
partnerships with industry employers are essential in identifying
available jobs that will exist after
the training.
Metis Employment & Training
Metis
Employment
& Training
Examples of Project Based
Training Programs:
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Licensed Practical Nursing Program
Early Childhood Educator Program
Educational Assistant Program
Family Support Worker
Heavy Equipment Operator Training
Oilfield/Oilsands/Pipeline
Construction Safety Training
Correctional Officer Training
Hospitality & Retail Training
Class 1 Truck Driver Training
Health Care Aide Program
Primary Care Paramedic Program
Security Guard Training
Pre-Construction Program
Examples of Project Based
Training Partners:
• Winnipeg Environmental
Remediation Inc. (WERI)
• Apprenticeship Manitoba
• Manitoba Jobs & the Economy
• Manitoba Justice
• Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries
• Manitoba Hydro
• Manitoba Advanced Education
& Literacy
• Workplace Education Manitoba
• City of Winnipeg
• Metis Economic Development
Organization (MEDO)
• Interlake-Eastern Regional Health
Authority
• Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
• Christian Labour Association of
Canada (CLAC)
Partnership Profile:
Licensed Practical Nursing
Program
Shortages in health care workers,
especially in northern and rural
communities, were a driving force
behind the creation of an 13-month
Licensed Practical Nurse training program that was delivered by
Assiniboine Community College
in Cranberry Portage and Selkirk
in 2010/2011. For this program, the
MMF partnered with the federal
and provincial governments, the
Regional Health Authorities, as well
as First Peoples Development Inc.
and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, to provide a program that
would prepare clients to access employment opportunities within the
health care field. This partnership
was very successful, with 30 individuals graduating with their Licensed
Practical Nursing certification. All
are now employed in nursing careers and are working in communities across the province.
Building on the success of this partnership, the MMF is currently developing additional partnerships to
provide another Licensed Practical
Nursing program delivery as well
as several Health Care Aide programs. Labour market demand in
the health care industry continues
to persist throughout Manitoba and
the MMF is committed to providing
trained individuals to meet these labour market needs.
Partnership Profile:
Pre-Employment Construction
Program
The MMF and Winnipeg Environmental Remediation (WERI) have entered
into a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a training framework
to train Metis people as skilled labourers and heavy equipment operators to meet the huge labour market
demand in the heavy construction
industry in Manitoba.
Partnership Profile:
Manitoba Lotteries Hospitality
Training Program
The Manitoba Lotteries Hospitality
Training Program was a partnership
between the MMF and Manitoba
Lotteries to provide Metis individuals with the specific training and
practical on-the-job experience
needed for employment with Manitoba Lotteries casinos. Participants
received in-class and on-the-job
instruction on the essential skills
required for working in the casino
and earned various industry recognized certificates including Safe
Food Handling, First Aid/CPR, and
It’s Good Business.
This successful program provided an
opportunity for MMF to engage in a
partnership with a Crown corporation, which happens to be one of the
top 100 Employers in Canada.
Partnership Profile:
Primary Care Paramedic Training
The MMF has engaged in a multitiered partnership with the City of
Winnipeg’s Aboriginal Youth Strategy, the Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic
Services, the Centre for Aboriginal
Human Resource Development,
First Peoples Development Inc. and
Manitoba Aboriginal and Northern
Affairs to support an eleven month
Primary Care Paramedic Training
Program for Aboriginal youth which
will prepare them with the skills,
knowledge and abilities needed to
apply for entry level Paramedic positions with the City of Winnipeg.
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Metis Employment & Training
Targeted Wage Subsidies
Targeted Wage Subsidies seek to generate long term employment through
a combination of training and the provision of wage subsidies to employers.
These programs offer clients work
experience and skill development, as
well as an opportunity to become accustomed to the requirements of the
job. Once clients have developed and
demonstrated valuable work skills,
ongoing employment is the expected
result, benefiting both the employee
and employer.
Targeted Wage Subsidies:
• generate long-term employment
through training and the
provision of wage subsidies to
employers
• provide an opportunity for
new employees to build work
experience and skills and
become accustomed to the
requirements of the job
• provide financial assistance to
eligible employers to offset the
cost associated with the hiring
and training of new employees.
Partnership Profile:
University College of the North
An MMF client who was funded to attend Computer Programmer Analyst
training successfully graduated and
was experiencing difficulty finding
work in his field of expertise. University College of the North was in the
process of implementing new software and was interested in hiring an
individual who could help them with
this task. MMF partnered with UCN
to employ this client through a Targeted Wage Subsidy for one year. The
project was a success, and at its end,
the client gained full-time employment with UCN as a Web Portal Clerk.
Partnership Profile:
Thompson Humane Society
Partnership Profile:
Budget Electric
The Thompson Humane Society
has partnered with the MMF to
employ several individuals, including a client who, through a Targeted Wage Subsidy, began working
as an Assistant Shelter Administrator. The client had limited
education and employment skills,
but through on-the-job training,
gained transferable skills and experience, and an in-depth knowledge of the shelter. This individual
was hired into a leadership role with
greater responsibility.
The MMF has successfully partnered
with Budget Electric through the Job
Opportunities Subsidy program to
provide on-the-job experiences for
apprentices to accumulate the practical hours necessary to advance in
the Electrical trade.
Job Opportunities Subsidy
Job Opportunities Subsidies Program focuses on supporting clients
experiencing difficulties in getting
and maintaining employment. The
program assists multi-barriered clients enter the workforce by combining off-the-job skills development
training with practical on-the-job
work experience.
Partnership Profile:
Cook Brothers Cartage
Utilizing the Job Opportunities
Subsidy program, the MMF partnered with Cook Brothers Cartage
to provide a recent graduate of
the Mature Student High School
Diploma program with an on-thejob work experience opportunity
as a Receptionist/Assistant Bookkeeper. The project was very
successful and the individual was
hired full-time. This opportunity
enabled this individual to become
self-sufficient and improve the
quality of life for herself & her family, while providing the employer
with a well-trained, knowledgeable
staff member.
Job Creation Partnerships
Job Creation Partnerships focus on
helping clients develop work experience and skills through the creation of short-term positions. These
programs are intended to benefit
both the client and the community.
These programs focus on engaging
community organizations in projects
offering short-term employment to
community members on work required to upgrade community structures and facilities and are intended
to benefit both the client and the
community.
Partnership Profile:
MMF’s It’s My Community Too
Program
In partnership with the City of Winnipeg, the MMF created the It’s My
Community Too Program, an urban
beautification project designed to
provide training and work experience for multi-barriered clients.
The first crew of six ran in 2009,
and under the supervision of their
coordinator, worked with trucks
and equipment to help community
organizations and residents with
clean-up work and small building
projects free of charge. Due to the
success of the initial program, both
the City of Winnipeg and the MMF
expanded their commitments with
additional funding to help create two
Metis Employment & Training
crews per year. The 15-week project
begins each spring, with new crew
members starting at each intake.
In addition to performing community services in the North End and
Elmwood, the project is designed to
teach workplace essential skills, effective work habits, transferable employment skills, and self-sufficiency.
As clients approach the end of their
work with the crew, they receive further assistance from the Metis Employment & Training Department to
develop employment and training
action plans to identify and achieve
their employment goals.
Trades and
Apprenticeship Programs
Apprenticeship programs are simultaneously supported by the MMF,
the provincial government, and
qualified employers. Through our offices our clients can access financial
sponsorship to assist with costs associated with the classroom portion
of the training. Targeted Wage or Job
Opportunity Subsidy partnerships
can also be developed with industry
employers to support the apprentices in gaining the practical hours
needed to progress in the trade.
Partnership Profile:
Mr. Electric
Trades people are in high demand
and the MMF continues to support
clients in a variety of trades. An example of an ongoing and successful partnership is with Metis-owned,
Winnipeg-based electrical service
company Mr. Electric who has supported four participants to begin
their electrical apprenticeship.
Metis
Employment
& Training
Metis Employment & Training Synopsis
Number of Staff Positions: 46 staff in 12 service delivery
locations throughout the province.
Vision: All the MMF’s programs, services and projects are
built on a broad array of measures to meet a wide spectrum
of employment needs and are ﬂexible enough to encourage
participation and create a climate of opportunity in all areas
of employment.
The objectives of these programs and services are to assist
clients in preparing for, obtaining and maintaining employment,
and in making successful transitions into the local labour market,
thereby resulting in increased employment among Metis people
in Manitoba.
All programs, services and projects:
1. Optimize individual potential and dignity
2. Provide ﬂexible and innovative approaches to labour market
and community needs
3. Provide convenient access to the recipients
4. Provide courteous, empathetic and timely service
Partnerships: Partnerships formed with private industry, government,
non-proﬁt organizations and educational institutions, as well as internal
departments, to combine resources, establish links to meaningful
employment and create unique training opportunities.
Partnerships are designed to address current and anticipated
labour market demands and to enhance the knowledge, skills and
employability of our clients.
Metis Employment & Training operates through funds provided
under the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy
(ASETS) Agreement. It is a dynamic ﬁve-year partnership between
Canada and the MMF that provides funding for labour marketdriven employment and skills training programs. The ASETS
Agreement began October 1, 2010 and ends March 31, 2015.
For more information on MET, visit www.mmfemployment.ca
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Metis Employment & Training
MET
Partnerships
Education
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Pa
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Public Sector P
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Private Sector P
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Interlake –Eastern
Regional Health Authority
Metis
Employment
& Training
Go
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nme
nt Sector Partnership
Private Sector Partnerships
Government Sector Partnerships
Public Sector Partnerships
MEDOCare Pharmacy, MEP, Kiewit
Infrastructure Group, WERI, Green Water
Group, Bison Transport, CLAC, NCSG,
Orange Energizing Solutions, LEDCOR
Group, Metis Economic Development
Organization
Correctional Service of Canada,
The City of Winnipeg, The Government of
Canada, The Government of Manitoba
Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Services,
Manitoba Heavy Construction
Association, Manitoba Hydro, Manitoba
Liquor & Lotteries, Winnipeg Regional
Health Authority, Interlake - Eastern
Regional Health Authority, RCMP
Education Sector Partnerships
University of Manitoba, Red River College,
The University of Winnipeg, Brandon
University, Assiniboine Community College,
Louis Riel Institute, University College of
the North, Université de St. Boniface
Metis Employment & Training
15
Kerry Smith
Senior Director, Metis Employment & Training
Born and raised in Brandon, MB
16 years in Manitoba Metis Federation
MET engages in job creation partnerships that focus on working
with community organizations in projects that offer employment
to community members on work that’s required to upgrade community
structures and facilities, to the ultimate benefit of the whole community.
The program, which works closely with employers, assists clients to gain
meaningful work experience and relevant skills in order to improve their
prospects of securing long-term employment.
Tracey Como
Director, Metis Employment & Training
Born and raised in Cranberry Portage, MB
18 years’ experience in the area of Employment & Training programming
MET it’s more than just training. We focus on making connections
within government, business and industry. We are strategically
building action plans with the aim of employment opportunities. Ultimately
our goal for every client is long-term sustainable employment, building
successful lives and contributing to society.
16
Metis Employment & Training
Post-Secondary Financial Assistance
Metis Employment & Training can provide support to
Metis, Non-Status Indian & Inuit individuals entering fulltime studies in:
• College, Technical Institute or University Diploma or
Certificate Programs for up to two years in length
• Final year of study in a first undergraduate
degree program
• Apprenticeship Technical Training
• There must be an identified labour market need
for the occupation in which the training is being
considered
• Financial sponsorship for eligible clients may include
tuition and mandatory course fees, mandatory books,
supplies and equipment, and allowance supports
To initiate your application please contact the
Metis Employment & Training office in your area
or visit our website at www.mmfemployment.ca
Metis Employment & Training Office Locations
MMF Home Office Metis
Employment & Training
Thompson Metis
Employment & Training
Southwest Metis
Employment & Training
1st Floor, 150 Henry Avenue
Winnipeg, MB
Phone: 204-586-8474
Toll Free: 1-800-665-8474
171 Cree Road
Thompson, MB
Phone: 204-677-1430
Toll Free: 1-866-677-1430
656 – 6th Street
Brandon, MB
Phone: 204-725-7525
Toll Free: 1-888-627-9663
Winnipeg Metis
Employment & Training
Northwest Metis
Employment & Training
The Pas Metis
Employment & Training
408 McGregor Street
Winnipeg, MB
Phone: 204-589-4327
40-1st Avenue NW
Dauphin, MB
Phone: 204-638-9485
Toll Free: 1-877-542-4925
215 – 2nd Street West
The Pas, MB
Phone: 204-623-5701
Interlake Metis
Employment & Training
Southeast Metis
Employment & Training
Lot 119 St. Laurent Drive
St. Laurent, MB
Phone: 204-646-4091
Toll Free: 1-866-317-3347
56 Parkview Avenue
Grand Marais, MB
Phone: 204-754-3112
Toll Free: 1-888-304-2383
Metis
Employment
& Training
17
Metis Manitoba
KRISTY MAJERAN
Registered Nurse/BN
Graduate, University of Manitoba
Financial aid for final year of
university provided by Metis
Employment & Training
youtube.com/user/MMFemployment
mmfemployment.ca
18
Metis Employment & Training
and growing!
Carrie Smith
The Pas Region (The Pas)
Education: Natural Resource Management Technology –
University College of the North, The Pas, Man.
Occupation: Park Patrol Officer –
Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship
“Going to college has provided me with so many different
job opportunities and has inspired me to continue my
education. I am very interested in fisheries and water quality,
and I would love to have a career working in those fields.”
Frederick Ledoux
The Pas Region (Flin Flon)
Education: Pre-Employment Welding Program –
Northland College at Creighton, Sask.
Occupation: Apprentice Welder
“I want to thank MET The Pas Region and the
LAC for their sponsorship. Without their help
I would not have been able to reach my goal.”
Tyler Bourke
Northwest Region (Winnipegosis)
Education: Bachelor of Geological Sciences in Geophysics
Occupation: Junior Geophysicist – Shell Canada
“I chose my field of study because I wanted to have an impact on
Canada’s future, and I can do that in my career. The MMF funding
helped me by letting me concentrate on my studies instead of
worrying about how I’d find the money just to attend school.”
Amanda Dauphinais
Southwest Region (Brandon)
Education: Health Care Aide – Robertson College, Brandon, Man.
Occupation: Health Care Aide – Valleyview Care Centre
Metis Employment & Training
Monica Davey
Thompson Region (Thompson)
Education: Bachelor of Nursing – University of Manitoba
Occupation: Registered Nurse – Thompson General Hospital
“I thank the MMF, Thompson Metis Employment and Training, and
everyone who supported me in this journey. Work hard and you will
achieve great things!”
Jennilee Beaupre
Interlake Region (Selkirk)
Education: Bachelor of Education – University of
Manitoba
Occupation: Grade 1 and 2 Teacher – Gillis School,
Sunrise School Division
“The funding from Interlake Metis Employment
and Training allowed me to focus my energy on my
educational requirements, participate in various
professional development sessions, volunteer in my
community, and explore potential job opportunities.”
Zachary Roberts
Winnipeg Region (Winnipeg)
Education: Bachelor of Commerce – Asper School of
Business, University of Manitoba
Occupation: Staff Accountant II – Deloitte & Touche LLP
Derek Klassen
Winnipeg Region (Winnipeg)
Education: ACCESS Aircraft Maintenance and
Manufacturing Program – Red River College
Occupation: Aircraft Maintenance
Engineer-in-training – Perimeter Air
Brennan Scarff and Joshua Klassen
Winnipeg Region and Southeast Region (Winnipeg)
Education: Fire Protection Program – Manitoba Emergency
Services College
Occupation: Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Services
Jenna Matthes
Winnipeg Region (Winnipeg)
Education: Business Administration – Red River College
Occupation: Housing Development Clerk – City of Winnipeg
“I will continue my education within the Certified General Account
program hoping to obtain my CGA designation and eventually
become the accountant I was meant to be!”
19
Thanks to MET,
Lilley Goes from
Dreaming to Doing
A
s far back as he
can remember, Randy
Lilley wanted to be a
sportscaster. Or, he’d
be a newscaster if he
had to, but when he was
young, Lilley saw himself
as the next Bob Uecker or
Bob Costas.
In fact, the young Lilley would look
up the statistics, do his own play-byplay and often imagine himself as Uecker,
the voice of baseball’s Milwaukee Brewers, or Bob
Costas, the voice of NBC Sports.
But as he grew older, he had to figure out a way to live his
passion. It’s one thing to call play-by-play in front of a mirror,
it’s quite another to become a professional broadcaster.
Fortunately, Lilley heard about the Interactive Media Arts
Diploma Program at the Brandon Campus of Assiniboine
Community College.
“After years of seeing friends go through this course and
knowing this is what I wanted to do myself, that this is
what I wanted to do for a living, I decided to seek funding
through the Metis Employment and Training department,”
Lilley said on his biography. “I felt I had the determination
and drive to be a successful broadcaster. I only needed a
chance to try and I knew I would eventually succeed.”
Thanks to MET, Lilley was accepted into the program in
September 2011. He worked extremely hard on his twoyear diploma and in May 2013, he graduated. These days,
he’s a news reporter with CKLQ in Brandon, a great radio
station that launched the careers of Saskatoon Blades
play-by-play announcer Les Lazaruk, Winnipeg Goldeyes
park announcer Ron Arnst, Fox Sports Soccer Channel
anchor Jeremy St. Louis, Hockey Night in Canada playby-play announcer Jim Hughson and SportsNet hockey
anchor Darren Millard.
“I had a strong passion for broadcasting and grew up
pretending to deliver talk radio and sports highlights,” he
said. “I often envisioned myself as the next Bob Uecker
or Bob Costas. I always loved entertaining, too. I’ve done
amateur radio over the past ten years, and had become
quite good at it. I just needed a place to learn and develop
and now, after two years in the Interactive Media Arts Diploma Program, I’m now a news reporter/on-air personality with CKLQ Radio. Funding for my program was provided by the Local Advisory Committee board of the Metis
Employment and Training department.”
It might not be surprising to note that on his first day on
the job, he was sent out to report on a mysterious death
at the Motel 6 in Brandon. Talk about getting your feet wet
early in your career.
Thanks to MET, Brandon radio listeners have an opportunity to listen to this talented and hard-working broadcaster
every day.
Metis Employment & Training
G
Hockey Star Majeran
Uses Skills and MMF
to Become Nurse
rowing up in Thompson, Kristy Majeran knew that
eventually her hockey skills would take her places.
For the longest time, she didn’t know how that would
happen, but she knew that if she kept excelling at the
game, she would find an opportunity.
A solid all-around athlete, Majeran’s true passion was
Canada’s national game. She was so committed to the
game that when the prep school, Athol Murray College
of Notre Dame—the famous Hounds of Wilcox, Sask.,—
offered her an opportunity to study and play the game,
she jumped at the chance.
team and get the best
possible grades, she
split her first year at
Manitoba into two
years. It was the perfect solution. She was
accepted into the nursing program and then the
real work started.
“My entire university experience was one big challenge,” she
said. “Being a student athlete at the univerHoning her skills, she improved evesity level is difficult. Being a student
ry season and upon graduation, she
athlete in an extremely difficult and
was given a chance to try out for
demanding program such as nursthe University of Manitoba Bisons
ing was beyond difficult. A typical
women’s team.
I would like to take this
day would consist of classes or hosopportunity to thank the
pital clinical all day, race to the rink
“When I was accepted at the UniverManitoba
Metis
Federation
for on-ice practice and work-out,
sity of Manitoba, I was still unsure
for their financial support
arrive at home to at least three
of the type of education I wanted,”
during my last year.
hours of homework or studying at
Majeran said. “I knew that I would
night and, hopefully, get a decent
like to work with people and in the
I am extremely grateful.
amount of sleep for the next day.
medical field. I’d wanted to be a vetI continued this routine for four long
erinarian from a young age but the
Nurse, Victoria General Hospital
years. In my final year of nursing,
University of Manitoba did not offer
Kristy Majeran
I decided that although hockey was
the program. But my sister, at that
a great passion of mine, I needed to
time, was in her final year, completrealize my limitations. I made the extremely difficult deing her Bachelor of Nursing at the U of M. Ultimately,
cision to quit my team and focus solely on my education.
I believe this is what led me to pursue nursing as
a career.”
“Today, I am proud to say that I have successfully completed my education at the University of Manitoba.
Playing university hockey and keeping up with studies,
I have accepted a position at the Victoria General Hosespecially in a program as intense as nursing, isn’t easy.
pital on a family medicine unit. I have also applied for
Playing in the Canada West Conference, part of Canaa position in Churchill. I still hope to pursue my goal of
dian University Sport, is a grueling task that involves
working in a northern community. I would like to take
daily two-hour practices plus off-ice training and travethis opportunity to thank the Manitoba Metis Federaling to games from Saskatchewan to British Columbia.
tion for their financial support during my last year. I am
Meanwhile, the registered nursing program takes a full
extremely grateful.”
four years to complete. In order to play on the hockey
21
22
Metis Employment & Training
Wyeth Krauchi:
Learning and Teaching
L
ike most people, it would
be difficult to pigeon hole
Wyeth Krauchi. He’s a
teacher, he’s a designer,
he’s still calls himself “a
learner” and he’s a proud
Metis man.
“There to greet me was Cathy Buors welcoming me into
her office,” he said. “I sat down, a file folder of information on both myself and the technical communication
program in hand, and asked Cathy if there were any
avenues I could take for support during school. Cathy
looked over my program brochure and saw that the employment statistics were very good after graduation.
He’s also a young man
who has found the tools to
find a job that he loves and
now has the education that’s
required to continue to better
himself for the rest of his life.
“After an Employment Manitoba-sponsored seminar, I
was introduced to my case worker Liz Dorey who, with
Cathy’s partnership at the MMF, would fully support me
throughout college. I was allocated a monthly living allowance and full college tuition through the joint efforts of
the MMF and Employment Manitoba.
“The decision to enroll in college or university shouldn’t be an easy one,” Krauchi said
recently. “It takes thought to where you really want to be
in life and planning on how to get there. It’s about making
yourself better, making your life better, earning a living doing something you enjoy doing. It took a few years before I
finally decided what career path I wanted to travel.”
“During my second year of school, Employment Manitoba
was unable to give the same amount for tuition as I received from the previous year. The MMF stepped up and
offered to bear the total cost of my final year’s tuition including books and supplies.”
Krauchi made sure he got to travel. In fact, he taught
English in Japan where he discovered that teaching and
learning “go hand in hand.”
When he returned to Winnipeg he started to look for professions that would allow him to continue to do both.
Thanks to hours of research, he found a program hosted
by Red River College that interested him: technical communication. It’s a versatile profession that ranges from
technical document and manual writing to online training development. And it also provided an environment
that would lead to continuous learning.
“I made up my mind,” Krauchi said. “And enrolled as
quickly as I could.”
Having committed to the program, he needed financial
support for tuition and living expenses. He had heard that
there was student aid for Metis people and so he made
the smartest move of his life: he talked to someone at the
Manitoba Metis Federation’s Winnipeg Region office.
Krauchi worked hard at Red River, achieved a 4.29 GPA
in his program and not only graduated with honours,
but was also awarded the Gold Medal in technical
communication.
“At the Aboriginal Graduation Ceremony, I was honoured
with a Metis sash presented by the MMF,” he said. “It was
the biggest accomplishment I ever achieved, and it was
one of the best times of my life.”
These days, Krauchi is the lead instructional designer for
Fire Plan Strategies in Winnipeg. And yes, he’s still learning while teaching.
“This success couldn’t be possible without people who
truly want to help and support those who want to better
themselves,” said Krauchi. “People like Cathy Buors and
Liz Dorey and organizations like the MMF provide the
support to help students along their way. To them I say,
with the utmost gratitude, ‘Thank you.’”
Stay Up-to-date with the Metis News
Across the Province and Find Employment
and Training Opportunities Online!
Announcing the launch of the new
MMF website (www.mmf.mb.ca)
The sites have been designed as a growing
resource of practical information for Metis
citizens, the general public, as well as, its public
and private stakeholders. Interested parties
are kept updated and informed of MMF’s work
and its related services, initiatives and on-going
developments.
The MMF Regional websites feature information
in English and include specific, detailed sections
dedicated to MMF governance, social programs,
financial services, MMF educational and health
affiliates, news and events, as well as, membership
and harvesters information for registration.
Visitors will find:
MMF Regional Websites
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
updated news releases
updated photos
media releases
video coverage
future plans
registration
The sites also include downloadable informational
materials that are being developed regularly,
there is also the option for visitors to register and
be informed of any updates on a timely basis.
MAIN SITE
OW
NT FL
E
T
N
CO
www.interlake.mmf.mb.ca
www.northwest.mmf.mb.ca
www.southeast.mmf.mb.ca
www.southwest.mmf.mb.ca
www.thepas.mmf.mb.ca
www.thompson.mmf.mb.ca
www.winnipeg.mmf.mb.ca
www.mmf.mb.ca
CONT
ENT
FLOW
SE REGION
SW REGION
NW REGION
THOMPSON
REGION
THE PAS
REGION
INTERLAKE
REGION
WINNIPEG
REGION
LOCALS
LOCALS
LOCALS
LOCALS
LOCALS
LOCALS
LOCALS
Manitoba Metis Federation Inc. Phone: 204-586-8474
Fax: 204-947-1816
3rd Floor, 150 Henry Avenue
Web: mmf.mb.ca
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0J7
facebook.com/ManitobaMetisFederationOﬃcial
twitter.com/MBMetis_MMF
Metis Employment & Training
MET
Affiliate Partnership
Participation
s
bli
nd Pu c Partne
a
rsh
ate
v
i
ip
Pr
M
MMF
MMF
24
an
MET Affiliate
Partnership Participation
MEDO
MET
Corporate and Industry Alignment
Corporate Engagement and Contracting
Client Placement and Training
Private Sector
Access to Management Contracts
Access to Joint Ventures
Direct Client Employment
LRCC
MET
Private Business Alignment
Client Financing Opportunities
Client Business Development
Client Placement and Training
Client Grant and Loan Access
MEDF
itob
a Metis C
en
z
i
t
i
MET
Private Industry Alignment
Corporate Industry Engagement
Client Training
Management Contracts
LRI
MET
Education Facilitation
Public Sector Alignment
Client Alignment and Training
Client Placement and Assessment
Access to Educational Institutions
MMF
MET
Public Sector Alignment
Private Industry Alignment
Alignment to Affiliates
Access to Departments
Program Management
s
MET
Manitoba Metis
Employment and Career Counseling
Client Training
Partnership Access
Financial Assistance
Job Search Assistance
Access to Resources
Provincial Reach
Access to Computers
Information on:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Employment Opportunities
Labour Market,
Training Options
Job Opportunities
Career Options
Educational Institutions
Metis Employment & Training
MET: Reading and
Writing with Riel
W
hen Louis Riel Institute (LRI) opens
its doors for its 2015
session, it will have been operating for two decades. Created by
an Act of provincial legislation in
1995, LRI has assumed responsibility
for the education and cultural awareness of the Metis people in Manitoba.
This is no small undertaking, and certainly no small task when one considers that Manitoba is the traditional
homeland of the Metis who trace
their origins to the Red River Settlements in the 1800s.
Sharon Parenteau is the General
Manager of the Institute, overseeing
the inclusion of the Metis historical
legacy into LRI’s educational services. “Ensuring our fellow Metis are
educated with the credentials necessary to participate in our society
and compete for employment opportunities is a driving force behind
what we do,” she says. “But that is
only part of the story. For Metis history and culture to continue, it must
be passed on to future generations.
What it means to be Metis in the
21st century is something we are all
working to define. Fortunately, our
cultural identity is strong enough to
inform our developing definition.”
That sense of history is highly prominent at the Riel House National
Historic Site in Winnipeg. In May
2013, LRI began providing school
programming to elementary school
groups from kindergarten to grade
6. Interpreters dressed in period
garb from the late 1800s provide
tours to the general public, answering questions and providing information in both English and French
25
26
Metis Employment & Training
LRI - MET Partnership
Overview
LRI is the mandated authority
responsible for Metis education. MET
provides labour market development
programs. They are able to design
employment and skills training
programs & services that best serve
the needs of the Metis community
and Metis citizens. These programs
aim to enable unemployed or
underemployed clients (Metis, NonStatus and Inuit) to better engage in
the workforce, and therefore improve
their families’ quality of life.
The MET-LRI partnership
has also led to a number
of successful workshops
that have served to
provide many individuals
the skills to increase their
employability.
LRI General Manager,
Sharon Parenteau
languages. Following the Social
Studies curriculum, the Riel House
program works to stay as historically
accurate as possible. With over 500
students touring the site, the LRI’s
ability to preserve and promote Metis culture is certainly evident. But
Metis culture, while important, is
only one part of LRI. The other part
of its activities focuses on education of Metis people.
LRI has a full complement of instructors that are providing course
work in a number of practical areas offering direct hands-on experience through the Metis Training
Centre of Excellence. “Some of our
students face educational barriers
that need to be overcome,” Parenteau says. “This means ensuring a
solid foundation in essential skills
for numeracy, writing and computer
usage among others.”
With that basis in place, students have
the potential to excel in courses for:
• Financial management
• Microsoft Office applications
• WHMIS
• Report writing
“The basics open opportunities for
more specialized training programs
we undertake in areas offering potential employment for our graduates,” Sharon explains. Some of the
successful programming that has
run through the institute includes:
employment counsellor certification, and training for construction
trades, community support workers
and health care aides. “The versatility of our program development
allows us to create customized
training to meet the organizational
needs of nearly any partner that we
engage with.”
Post-secondary education is also a
significant factor in what LRI does.
Metis students can apply for scholarships, bursaries and other funding to assist them in their quest
Partnerships are a major focus of
the ASETS Strategy. The partnership
between LRI and MET was formed
to combine resources and create
unique training opportunities. These
partnerships are designed to address
current and anticipated labour
market demands and to enhance the
knowledge, skills and employability of
our clients.
The Louis Riel Institute’s Metis
Training Centre of Excellence has
partnered with the MET department
on various projects to deliver
a number of workshops. Each
workshop presented has built the
capacity of the individuals, providing
them with various tools to increase
their employability skills.
By actively identifying needed
training and by providing unique
educational and capacity-building
workshop opportunities, we assist in
preparing people for the challenges
in the workforce.
The partnership with LRI also
provides additional resources to
students. LRI has an Adult Learning
Centre program and our Financial Aid
& Awards service assists students
with identifying funding options for
continuing education. We also have
a large lending library for research on
Metis culture and history.
Metis Employment & Training
for higher learning. “This service is
in high demand among our Metis
youth,” reports Joan Ledoux, Minister of Louis Riel Institute. “Providing this assistance is fundamental
to our mission, and has resulted in
nearly 300 applications this year
alone.”
Major bursary programs are in
place and administered by LRI at
all major universities in Manitoba.
Brandon University, Université de
Saint-Boniface, University College
of the North, University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg
are all part of the program. Eligible
Metis students may access bursaries to assist with school-related
expenses. Metis Employment and
Training (MET) under the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) endows funds to these universities,
with matching contributions from
the Province of Manitoba. Interest
generated from these funds is then
disbursed to the students under
the program.
Since 1999, the total amount
donated, plus interest, totals
$14,439,634.00. “We have provided
bursaries to over 1,700 students
over the years,” Parenteau says.
“To assist students in achieving
their educational goals, we have
disbursed in excess of $2.5 million.
That success was made possible
by our long-standing partnership
with MET.”
The MET department provides considerable funding support to LRI,
with $185,000 in annual core funding, $700,000 to the endowment
funds every year and $2,000 for the
Mary Guilbault Metis Bursary. The
Mary Guilbault Metis Bursary has
supported students with studies
in education, social work, business
27
Funding
Funds from the MMF’s Metis Education
& Training (MET) are endowed to
the universities and matched by the
universities. The interest from these
endowments is then delivered to
students as bursaries.
Contributions to this endowment from
Participants of Professional
Security Guard Training Program
all partners from 1999 to March 2013:
• Donations plus interest:
$14,439,634
• Number of applicants: 3,205
• Number of awards given: 1,717
• Total dollar value of awards
given: $2,555,142
administration and nursing. MET
also provided the initial endowment amounts for the MMF Vickar
Award ($10,000) for Metis students
enrolled in automotive programs at
Red River College, and the $100,000
Audreen Hourie Indigenous Governance Graduate Fellowship. The
fellowship is open to Metis students in the Masters of Indigenous
Governance or the Masters of Development Practice programs at
the University of Winnipeg.
“MET designs employment and
skills training programs and services that best serve the needs of
the Metis community and its citizens,“ explains Parenteau. “These
programs aim to enable unemployed or under-employed clients
to better engage in the workforce,
thereby opening opportunities to
improve their quality of life and
their families as well.”
The customization capacity in LRI
means that when MET has industry partners looking to design or
“It’s my community too” class
graduates
Hospitality Training Program
Graduates
Instructor Shane Bostrom with
Hospitality Training graduate
Margie McConaghy
28
Metis Employment & Training
implement specific training programs for Metis candidates, LRI
can be the first stop when looking
for program delivery. The MET website describes the purpose of their
partnership: “to combine resources
and create unique training opportunities. MET is looking to address
current and anticipated labour
market demands and to enhance
the knowledge, skills and employability of our clients.”
To assist students in
achieving their educational
goals, we have disbursed in
excess of $2.5 million. That
success was made possible
by our long-standing
partnership with MET.
LRI General Manager,
Sharon Parenteau
The MET-LRI partnership has
also led to a number of successful workshops that have served
to provide many individuals the
skills to increase their employability. Active identification of training needs among client/students
combined with training workshops
has led many of them to be better
prepared for tackling many challenges of today’s working world.
“Education and workforce skills
go hand-in-hand,” Parenteau concludes. “Our partnership with MET
keeps them connected and help
us make certain we will continue
to help our Metis students meet
those challenges head on.”
Louis Riel Institute Synopsis
Established: Created by an act of
the Manitoba Legislature, the Louis
Riel Institute Act, Chapter 15 came
into law on November 3, 1995.
Mission: The Louis Riel Institute
(LRI) is the mandated authority
responsible for Metis education
and culture in Manitoba.
Mandate: The LRI advances
the education of Metis people.
It is responsible for promoting
the values, culture, heritage and
history of Metis in Manitoba.
Vision: The LRI will serve the
Metis Nation of Manitoba through
the advancement of education
and culture.
Number of Staff: 24
Financial Aid & Awards
Louis Riel Bursary - The Louis
Riel Institute administers major
bursary programs at:
•
•
•
•
•
Brandon University
Université de Saint-Boniface
University College of the North
University of Manitoba
University of Winnipeg
Metis students at these
institutions are eligible to apply
each year for the Louis Riel
Bursary to assist them with
school-related expenses.
Our bursary applications have now
been updated to include a skills
questionnaire that will be used
by MET to capture applicants’
information in order to assist them
with career placement and to
add them to our skills inventory
database.
Summer Students
MET provides funding for summer
students to supplement our
administrative staff in the oﬃce
from May through August, as well
as to serve as interpreters for the
Riel House programming.
MET Funding
• $185,000 core funding yearly
• $700,000 endowment funds
yearly
• $2,000 Mary Guilbault Metis
Bursary yearly
• Initial gifts to establish
endowment funds for:
• MMF Vickar Award - $10,000
• Audreen Hourie Fellowship$100,000
• Training programs through
MTCE and LRVC in future
For more information on Louis Riel Institute, visit www.louisrielinstitute.com
Endowment Information as of February 21, 2014
29
Metis Manitoba
MMF Contribution
$7,419,548
Leveraged Amount
$7,020,087
Balance of Fund
$14,030,884
Number of Awards
1,718
Louis Riel Bursaries & MET: Helping Create
a Stronger Metis Nation through Education
T
he Louis Riel Bursary program began with an initiative from the Manitoba
Metis Federation (MMF) in 1999.
The Federation’s Metis Employment
and Training (MET) department fully
supports the Bursaries program
through coordinated funding. The
partnering post-secondary institutions include the University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg, Brandon University and the Université
de Saint-Boniface.
Through the Manitoba Scholarship
and Bursary Initiative, these partners are able to match the contributions of the MMF, resulting in a rapid
growth to the endowment fund to
make it easier for Metis students to
get an education. Today, the total
contribution from all parties to the
endowment fund is over $14.5 million, with $2.5 million disbursed since
inception. The awards come from
the interest on the capital contributions to the fund, creating a legacy
for future generations.
The University College of the North
joined the team in 2007, and Red
River College came on board in
2014, further strengthening the
partnership. The Louis Riel Institute
(LRI) – the MMF Affiliate that administers the bursaries recognizes
the need for Metis students to compete effectively in today’s job market alongside other Canadians, and
continually works to ensure that
support will be available.
Bursary applications often begin
with a student’s initial contact with
the MMF, eventually reaching LRI.
The Institute will often advocate for
students should they get stuck in
the system, or if they are initially denied bursaries from one of LRI’s partner universities.
their applications on time. However,
the overwhelming majority of applicants were denied a bursary because
they did not finish the verification
process. LRI is working with the partnering post-secondary institutions
to redefine eligibility criteria so that
more students will receive bursaries.
Often, the results are two-fold. In
order to access funds, the students
must complete a genealogy or provide some other verification of Metis
heritage. This is an important factor
for the MMF, in that it adds to the Metis demographic profile in Manitoba.
Meanwhile, the students receive
money to help them through school.
The universities and the MMF want
to award every available dollar each
year. The post-secondary institutions
have had an annual surplus of money
for the awards for several years in a
row. To combat this, the schools have
marketed heavily toward the Metis
members of their student bodies. The
number of applicants at U of W has
tripled since 2012 due to these efforts.
The Financial Aid and Awards offices
are also proposing to change some
of the qualification criteria, including
funding to part time students reducing the financial need threshold.
Funding for education is the main
reason most students contact LRI;
and yet it brings an added benefit
in creating a greater awareness of
Metis family history. Sometimes
without even meaning to, students
will find themselves connected to
something greater than them as part
of a wider Aboriginal world. The challenge however, is getting students to
complete the process.
There were 295 applicants for the
Louis Riel Bursaries in 2013. In the
end, 189 of them received awards.
Since 1999, 3,243 students have applied for bursaries, with 1,716 of them
receiving an award. Of those that did
not receive a bursary, some were
declared ineligible because they
did not meet the academic requirements, while others failed to submit
Meanwhile, seminars on campus
highlight the bursaries with the message that all Metis students are eligible. The schools are incredibly supportive and generous, and will wait as
long as possible to enable Metis students to complete their applications.
The Louis Riel Bursary program is one
of LRI’s greatest success stories, and
they want more people to know about
it. Bursaries are available to Metis students every year, and LRI wants to give
the money away. Disbursement is the
goal, and students should not hesitate
to go to LRI and seek it out.
30
Metis Employment & Training
The MEDO & MET work towards
improving the quality of life of
the Metis of Manitoba
B
ring up the subject of
partnerships, and MEDO
CEO Blake Russell becomes
emphatic. “Partnership development is at the heart of this organization,” he says.
The Metis Economic Development
Organization, or MEDO, has its origins
in the Metis Economic Development
Strategy. “That strategy was created
through a partnership with the provincial and federal governments back
in 2008,” Russell recounts. “The goal
was to create better opportunities
for Metis people in Manitoba to im-
The Metis Economic Development
Organization works toward improving the
quality of life of the Metis of Manitoba
prove their quality of life. We believe
that improvement is accomplished
through greater business growth for
Metis entrepreneurs and by creating
better conditions for workforce development for the Metis people.”
referring to Peter Kiewit Infrastructure, the general contractor on the
Pointe du Bois Spillway Replacement
Project. “Our assistance supported
their effort to secure the contract,”
Russell says.
When founded in 2009, MEDO targeted Manitoba Hydro projects in particular. “One of our first big partnerships was with Kiewit,” Russell says,
“We [Metis and First Nations] presented ourselves to Hydro and Kiewit as
a united group to assist our partner
with their bid for Pointe du Bois,” Rus-
Metis Employment & Training
sell says. “For the most part, this was
unheard of up to that point. It isn’t
often that Metis and First Nations
are able to easily work together,
but in this case, there was a common cause.” Both groups wanted to
compete for subcontracts and jobs.
“This is where MET has become
so important.”
Metis Employment and Training (or
MET) is the successful development
program for the Manitoba Metis
workforce. “MET and its predecessors have been directing Metis training and employment in this province
for over 15 years. MEDO’s focus on
partnering with the private sector
lets us present MET as a benefit to
those companies.
“We learned a tremendous amount
from MET about partnerships. They
can be focused specifically on job
training, or can be formal joint ventures and marketing agreements with
clear outcomes and expectations by
all parties.”
“This year we signed an agreement
with NCSG,” Russell says. NCSG is
the largest majority-Canadian-owned
crane and heavy haul company in
Canada. In business for more than 25
years, NCSG has over 660 employees
with a large fleet of cranes, tractors,
trailers, specialty cranes and other
capabilities. “Major partners like this
are good examples of multinationals
looking to partner with the Metis,”
notes Russell.
As Aboriginals and their representative bodies play more important roles
in major projects, the private sector is realizing it must come to grips
with Aboriginal and Metis participation. “Our politicians will tell you the
Metis and their indigenous status in
this country are enshrined in Cana-
da’s constitution,” Russell points out.
“That is the political argument. The
question we have to ask is what does
that participation look like to industry
leaders? Our challenge is to determine how we can be the solution for
them when seeking to resolve the required Aboriginal inclusion.”
MEDO also works on creating publicprivate partnerships (or P3s). “MEDO
is the perfect P3 partner for municipalities and the province,” says Russell. “These governments are looking
for solutions to deal with the increasing cost of some services.”
What we’ll do when a
company is looking to
engage in a partnership
with us is to determine
what it is that they need.
MEDO CEO,
Blake Russell
For example, a private sector company may develop facilities then
lease them back to the government.
“MEDO can position itself as a solution to government,” says Russell.
MEDO could bring in the right private-sector partner, based on their
relationship with MEDO. It could also
mean that MEDO would build up its
capacity over time to become that
private sector partner. “In any event,
Aboriginal inclusion—specifically the
Metis—is a requirement.”
MEDO strives to provide access to
good people. “I’m the first one to admit our corporation has its own mo-
tives behind this,” Russell says. “The
better we are at creating partnerships
that can help MET do its job, the more
success we have and the more business will come our way.”
“We need to bear in mind that at
times MET is the most important
partner we have.” Russell positions MET as a cost offset for Metis recruitment. While some of the
wage subsidy programs do offer
that possibility, it is only one part
of what might be described as a
“holistic” approach to economic development. Cost offsets can mean
reduced operating expenses for
MEDO’s partners during the training period. In return, they gain a
qualified employee. “What we get
are Metis people that have learned
valuable skills, can fully participate
in the workforce, provide for their
families, have less reliance on social
supports and, ultimately, become
participants in our economy.”
How exactly does MEDO find partners? “Profile certainly helps,” Russell
points out. “We [can] engage multiple
levels of government, chambers of
commerce and Crown corporations.”
It doesn’t take long to create a considerable network because MEDO
works on behalf of the largely untapped Metis market.
“What we’ll do when a company is
looking to engage in a partnership
with us is to determine what they
need. Does the potential partner
recognize the value in bringing real
opportunities to the Metis in this
province? What are [the partner’s]
long-term goals? You hear a lot
about corporate social responsibility. It’s almost a cliché now, but
it still has meaning. Our partners
must align their interests with what
benefits our people.”
31
32
Metis Employment & Training
Metis Capital Trust
Community Governance
Metis
Employment
& Training
Professional Management
Divisions
Financial Services
Partnerships
Joint Venture
Purchasing &
Procurement Services
Community Focused,
Reward Based Loyalty Program
METIS
GENERATION
FUND
METIS
GENERATION
FUND
For Resource and Energy Development
For Resource and Energy Development
Investment & Business
Development
Property Management &
Community Development
Pharmaceutical &
Health Services
IT Services & Mobile
Communications
The ﬂowchart above outlines MEDO’s key function as the
“For Proﬁt” or “Crown Corporation” of the MMF.
Metis Employment & Training
WERI Never Tires of Rewarding
MET Partnerships
achieving real outcomes for people,
rather than pursuing involvement
merely to secure contracts under
procurement rules.
“We recognize the importance of
providing opportunities for the
Metis to improve their lives,” adds
Dennis. “We could not have succeeded in business without being
conscious of our employees’ needs
to better themselves. It’s pretty obvious that for business to succeed,
you need successful employees.”
In 2014, WERI worked in partnership with MET on a Heavy Equipment Operators program.
I
n business for 19 years, Winnipeg Environmental Remediations Inc. is a company
specializing in comprehensive
general contracting, construction,
earth-moving and environmental
services. WERI has a reputation for
implementing practical solutions to
a vast array of construction and environmental problems.
The company has a legacy of working in northern and remote areas
of Canada. Along with those locations came an understanding of
Aboriginal communities and their
economic needs. “Aboriginal involvement and training support are
strong elements of WERI’s philosophy and approach to business,” says
Myles Antony, one of the founding
partners of the company. “We recognize the importance of economic
development for Aboriginal people
and what it means for them to have
an opportunity to improve their income levels.”
With that mindset, Metis Employment and Training (MET) is a good
fit for WERI. Dennis Antony, partner
and Senior Project Manager agrees.
“We have worked under contract
with Manitoba Hydro and the provincial government many times.
Aboriginal inclusion was an important part of a number of them. Recruiting Metis people through the
MMF means more than temporary
employment. It gives the Metis an
opportunity to learn a trade or perfect a skill.”
The thinking behind WERI’s interest in hiring and training Aboriginals recognizes the importance of
One recent partnership with MET
resulted in direct experience for
four Metis individuals as heavy
equipment operators. Although
they had received formal training,
they lacked operating hours on the
equipment. WERI not only brought
them on as operators, but provided
additional hours of training time on
the equipment, further enhancing
the skill set of their new hires.
Ongoing opportunities for Metis
employees through the partnership
with MET include continual on-thejob training and work experience,
career development and what WERI
calls “geographic diversity”. “Our employees will move around, as we work
in a lot of different environments on
a range of different jobs,” Dennis
says. “That’s where our value to the
partnership with MET comes in.” Ultimately, the broader the skill set the
more transferrable those skills are.
This leads to greater opportunities
for Metis in the workforce.
33
34
Metis Employment & Training
At the COR:
Safety Certification for Metis Business
even small businesses to achieve
this valuable certification. A partnership was then formed with the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association
(MHCA) whose staff members delivered the training program to the participants. In total, 23 companies were
able to obtain COR over the winter
and spring of 2014.
S
afety in the workplace is a
constant concern for many
owners, managers and employees. It costs people time, money
and health when something goes
wrong. In most cases, companies
look proactively to prevent workplace injuries. Often, we hear about
the costs associated with injuries related to the work people do. However,
there are positive economic impacts
when we consider prevention.
Last year, the province of Manitoba
passed legislation requiring that
businesses interested in bidding on
provincial government contracts
for infrastructure and other major
initiatives will need to have their Certificate of Recognition (COR) in work
place safety. The COR program is designed to provide an accreditation for
companies, recognizing them provincially as having developed and imple-
mented a health and safety program
that meets national standards. The
public and private sector both have
an interest in seeing this requirement
in place as a way of ensuring work
places are safe for employees.
The MMF’s Metis Employment and
Training (MET) department recognized the importance of COR certification in making Metis-owned
businesses better able to compete
for government contracts. However,
for many smaller companies, obtaining certification was a costly proposition. That is where MET entered
the picture.
At a cost of approximately $1,300 per
participant, MET provided funding
to cover the cost for Metis business
owners to become COR certified.
By removing the expenditure from
the equation, it became possible for
From a workforce development perspective, it opens doors for additional
opportunities. Companies able to
obtain contracts directly from the
provincial government, or potentially
subcontract themselves to general
contractors on a project, will have the
potential to grow their businesses.
Successful completion of those projects can hopefully lead to others,
triggering expansion of operations
and ultimately the need for more people. It is at that point that business
owners can return to MET looking for
recruitment of available Metis people
in order to build their ranks.
A safer environment for the work force
makes these Metis businesses a safer
bet for government and contractors
when looking to do business. The
MET-MHCA partnership successfully
laid the groundwork to make Metis
business in Manitoba more competitive. As large scale projects like Manitoba Hydro’s Bipole III line, further
work on the Keeyask Generating Station, ongoing highway repair activity and numerous other infrastructure
works continue, Metis companies in
the relevant industry sectors will be
well-positioned to participate.
Metis Employment & Training
Riel House National Historic Site
R
iel House National Historic
Site is a park owned and
operated by Parks Canada.
The Louis Riel Institute provides interpretive programming to visitors
in conjunction with Parks Canada's
services and the generous support of
the Manitoba Metis Federation.
The site is open during the spring and
summer months; During May and
June, a wide selection of curriculum
based programs and tours are offered to schools across Winnipeg and
Manitoba both in French and in English. Starting July first the site is open
to the public. The Louis Riel Institute
also offers a variety of interpretive
activities to the general public which
included: guided tours of Riel House,
its gardens and the historic river lot,
on site historic demonstrations highlighting traditional chores such as finger weaving, basket weaving, wood-
working and blacksmithing. The site
is also very lively in the evenings with
the Thursday night soirees, which
consists of live music and children’s
activities. This year, two new and exciting programs were offered to the
public, Riel House hosted a sewing
circle on Wednesday nights and held
children’s day camps every Thursday.
The Louis Riel Institute hired 8 Metis,
bilingual summer students to deliver
all of Riel House's programming. Of
the 8 interpreters working, 4 are postsecondary students working as full
time interpreters and 4 were high
school students working as summer
interns; these students went through
in depth training and learned all about
Metis history, the story of Louis Riel
as well as the ways and culture of the
Metis people. These 8 interpreters
were costumed and on site all summer and helped bring the site to life.
The season at Riel House has unfortunately come to an end this year
as we are approaching the end of
the summer; however the Louis Riel
Institute with the help of Parks Canada wrapped up the season nicely
with the Annual Metis Harvest Celebration on August 24th. This corn
roast was a public event at which
there was live entertainment, some
fiddling, jigging, traditional Metis
food, Riel House tours, demonstrations and several family activities.
With a record attendance of 350
people, everyone is very pleased with
the turn out! The Louis Riel Institute
and the Manitoba Metis Federation
are looking forward to working with
and strengthening the relationship created with Parks Canada in
order to bring Riel House alive for the
2015 season and for many more
years to come.
35
36
Metis Employment & Training
Metis Youth:
Confidence and
Leadership
P
eople often remark on how
the youth are our future.
Young people today are
tomorrow’s leaders in business and
society. They are also the keepers
of our collective legacy as people,
and will ultimately be responsible
for keeping our cultural awareness alive. This is as fundamentally
important to the Metis as it is for
any other subculture in Canada.
The MMF’s Metis Employment and
Training (MET) Department has a
distinct focus on Metis youth, working with them to provide them with
the tools to craft their futures, while
at the same time giving them an appreciation of their cultural identity
as Metis people.
Leadership and confidence among
young Metis people is developed
and reflected in numerous activities
they undertake, but is very evident in
cultural and sports activities. In every edition of Grassroots News, readers will find articles featuring young
Metis athletes. For example, the August 27, 2014 issue draws attention to
two highly talented Metis persons.
Meghan Dufault is a gold medal
winner in 2012 Under-18 women’s
hockey and is currently part of Canada’s Under-22 team – the development squad for the 2018 Winter
Olympics. Bobbi-Jo Lillies is a successful female boxer, winning gold
in the 2014 Ringside World Boxing
Championship. These individuals
have repeatedly demonstrated the
confidence and leadership necessary for achieving success.
Meghan Dufault (Photo courtesy of
Hockey Canada)
Meanwhile, a distinct cultural awareness and appreciation among the
arts has led to burgeoning entrepreneurs in the music field.
Scott Cornelius first learned to play
the fiddle at the age of 8. His musical
style is rooted in Metis fiddle playing, and he has earned four Manitoba Provincial Championship titles
and three People’s Choice Awards
for his skill as a musician.
Taylor Fleming also plays fiddle and
regularly provides musical support
for Metis dance groups in Manitoba. These young Metis have taken
charge of their music careers, not
only as entertainers but as business persons. They produce and
sell their own CDs and routinely
book their own shows. Their leadership is also evident in their willingness to teach others.
Bobbi-Jo Lillies (Photo courtesy of
Elite Boxing and MMA)
Scott Cornelius
As the MET Department continues
to support young Metis people, it
recognizes and appreciates those
that have made these astounding achievements in their chosen
fields. Whether in sports, entertainment or business, their Metis
identity resonates throughout their
achievements, and engenders pride
in them across the Metis Nation as
a whole.
Taylor Fleming
Metis Employment & Training
37
MET & MEDF:
Partnerships for Prosperity
is positioned to form a dynamic partnership with Metis business people.”
“We [MEDF] can provide up to 35 per
cent of the financing required to develop the business,” Coutris says.
“The Metis entrepreneur is expected
to come up with at least 10 per cent.
MET (Metis Employment and Training) is available to provide wage subsidies for six to twelve months of an employee's training. Along with a sound
business plan that is well thought out
and organized, we can present a very
attractive package to the banks.”
MEDF Manager, John Coutris
M
etis Economic Development Fund (MEDF) General Manager John Coutris
says there are a lot of Metis entrepreneurs out there and he would like to
meet with all of them to discuss their
business ideas.
“Metis people are hard-working and
smart but they’ve had a rough go,” says
Coutris. The MEDF creates jobs by
helping new small businesses get their
start, expanding existing businesses
and acquiring existing businesses.
“There are great markets for products
our own communities’ need, as well
as the larger, mainstream society. But
it is hard to come up with almost 50
per cent most banks require before
they will provide financing. The MEDF
Coutris adds, “The MEDF will take a
minority equity position in the companies we finance in exchange for
our contribution but we expect to
be bought out within three to seven
years as the business becomes profitable and independent. The funds we
collect go into a revolving fund which
increases by being invested over and
over again.”
“The key word here is ‘leverage’. We
are aligned with other Metis organizations that specialize in training, financing and business development
to create a financing and development proposal that will leverage the
full amount necessary to develop the
business successfully.”
Those other Metis organizations include the Louis Riel Capital Corporation, which provides loans to Metis entrepreneurs up to $99,999 and
the Metis Economic Development
Organization, which provides loans
for larger projects up to $500,000.
“This is a well planned circle of Metis economic development specialists who form dynamic partnerships
with Metis business people,” Coutris
says. “The Metis community has been
plagued by high unemployment for
far too long and this is going to stop.
“The best way to do that is to help Metis entrepreneurs develop profitable
businesses that will create jobs and
wealth for a long time—even into future generations as our children take
over these successful businesses we
set up. This puts Metis people back in
control of our own destiny.
“We recognize there are all sorts of
ways for Metis businesses to create
jobs and wealth,” says Coutris. “An existing business may want to expand or
acquire another existing business. Metis business owners are also looking
at partnerships and sub-contracting
with large corporations, including multi-nationals, and might require financing to acquire equipment and facilities
to meet the requirements of the new
partnerships. We are looking at every
kind of dynamic partnership because
the profits will just create more economic development and that means
more jobs for our people.”
Metis entrepreneurs with ideas for
business development, expansion
and acquisition should contact
the MEDF office at:
340 – 150 Henry Avenue,
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0J7,
phone 204-589-0772,
fax: 204-589-0791,
toll-free 1-800-387-6004,
Email: [email protected].
38
Metis Employment & Training
MET & LRCC: Helping Metis Business Succeed
A
s bankers go, Paul Paradis is
unconventional. Although
happy to call himself “a banker,” he admitted there aren’t many big
bankers who will jump on an airplane
to Churchill to lend money to a young
entrepreneur.
“We do what most big banks won’t do,”
said Paradis. “We get Metis people off
the unemployment line and lend them
the money to start a business. Of the
seven people on our staff, six are exbankers. But the banking they do now
is not the banking they did when they
were in the banking business.”
Paradis is the CEO of the Louis Riel
Capital Corporation (LRCC), a Manitoba Metis-owned lending institution
created in 1992. LRCC finances the
startup, acquisition and/or expansion
of viable Non-status Indian- and Metis-controlled small businesses based
in Manitoba. He grew up in Winnipeg,
and spent 33 years with TD Bank but
his work with LRCC feels more rewarding than the work he did for most
of his adult life.
Profits are not his first priority. Instead
this banker focuses on creating partnerships and helping Metis people become successful.
Created by the federal government
and the Manitoba Metis Federation
with just $8 million in startup capital,
LRCC is now a province-wide developmental lender, “We don’t get grants
every year,” Paradis pointed out. “We
have to make sure our partners are
successful in order to keep the capital
flowing. Unlike traditional banks, we’ll
work harder to make sure our partners are successful. We don’t like to
shut anyone down. We give our people
plenty of opportunity to be successful.”
While it takes a great deal of work and
often an incredible amount of aftercare, LRCC means so much more to
the people who have taken advantage
of the service.
“We give Metis people additional
strength,” Paradis said. “We can lend
our people the money necessary to
start a business or buy or expand an
existing business. We also handle
a government program that grants
people the money necessary to get
a bridge to a traditional bank loan.”
Sometimes we do both; sometimes
we just do one part or the other. However, our mandate is to get Metis people into business.”
That might sound like accountantspeak, but to young entrepreneurs in
small Metis communities around the
province, it is a godsend.
“The big banks often want the business person to have at least 35-40 per
cent—or even more—equity in the
venture,” Paradis explained. “Metis
people in small communities around
the province don’t have that, at least,
not very often.
Traditionally, big banks have had no desire to provide loans to people in small
communities. LRCC has stepped up
and either bridged the financial gap or
provided the capital itself. “Banks don’t
like to go where they’re not in control
and they’ve never felt they’ve been in
control in the North,” Paradis said.
“As an example, a Metis person had an
idea to start a business in a small com-
munity near Churchill. The big banks
had no desire whatsoever to enter
into an agreement that far north. So
we hopped on an airplane, met her in
Churchill and created a partnership. A
big bank wouldn’t do that. We provide
help to people who can’t get it anywhere else.”
If you are a Manitoba Metis looking
to own your own business, LRCC provides partnership services. “We can
help you find business information,
identify skills training and provide access to financing,” Paradis said. “Successful businesses don't just happen.
Our team members have extensive
practical experience and backgrounds
in business research, business knowledge and commercial lending.”
Paradis would like to develop a number of different partnerships with Metis Employment and Training. “They
have an entrepreneur program that
we’d like to get involved with because
of its spotlight on our youth. MET has
the funds available for training, while
we have the capital to start businesses. We have a mentorship program,
but we don’t have an actual training
program. We don’t have the funds to
help develop a trade, but we can offer
them the capital to start a business.
Besides its loan portfolio LRCC also
maintains business associations and
partnerships throughout the financial industry.
“We help build ideas,” Paradis said. “We
have some partners who do millions of
dollars in sales a year. We have other
mom-and-pop operations that only do
$80,000. We support all Metis people
with good business ideas.
WYETH KRAUCHI
Technical Communication
Graduate, Red River College
Financial aid provided by
Metis Employment & Training
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Looking for Work? Looking for Training?
Look to Us!
If you’re Metis, Inuit, or Non-Status, MET will work with you
to get you job ready, and connect you with the training and
funding you need to achieve your goals. Take the first step on
your career path. Click below to fill out the contact form and
receive a gift from MET!
Or if you’re a business or organization interested in developing
meaningful job opportunities for Manitoba’s Metis, Inuit,
or Non-Status, then MET wants to talk to you! Click below
to fill out the contact form and receive a gift from MET!
MET offers a variety of incentives for both Clients and
Employer Partnerships, ensuring a beneficial experience
for everyone involved.
Metis Employment & Training
1st Floor 150 Henry Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3B 0J7
mmfemployment.ca
Phone: 204-586-8474
Toll Free: 1-800-665-8474
mmfemployment.ca
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