September 2007 Issue
NEWS
Partnership Bridges First Nations,
Métis With Stronger
IT Future
A new agreement offers information technology leadership to First Nations and Métis people in Alberta and will create opportunities to increase their participation in the IT economy, says a government news release.
The communities will participate through education and training, employment, small business assistance and investment, says the release.
The agreement, signed by four First Nations and four Métis representatives, marks the first time IBM — an APEGGA permit holder — has entered into a partnership directly with First Nations and Métis people. The Alberta Government facilitated the agreement and is a signatory. A signing ceremony took place June 4 at Amiskwaciy Academy in Edmonton.
The first actions under the partnership agreement include
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training communities to run IGNITE (Igniting Interest in Technology and Engineering) camps to encourage youth to stay in school and explore careers in science and technology
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providing IGNITE materials and training to participating communities
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providing a program to improve literacy in selected Aboriginal schools
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undertaking an e-readiness scan to help the communities survey existing technology and optimize its use.
“This groundbreaking agreement brings the know-how of one of Canada’s technology leaders directly to First Nations and Métis people,” said Guy Boutilier, Minister of International, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Relations. “As a signatory to this agreement, the Alberta Government makes a commitment to support initiatives that connect First Nations and Métis Albertans to an IT future.”
“IBM
is committed to creating more opportunities for Aboriginal people within IBM,
throughout the technology sector, and in the broader Canadian economy,” said
Dan
Fortin, president of IBM Canada. “The agreement we have signed today opens
the door for us to work in partnership with the Alberta Govern-ment, Métis
and First Nations communities to deliver education, training and programs.”
The umbrella agreement allows for future agreements in six areas. These are increasing
IBM employment of First Nations and Métis people; developing IT skills
through education and training; developing small business and investment; leveraging
IBM’s best practices in human resources; using technology to support better
health outcomes in communities; and overcoming barriers to participation in technology,
including rural and remote locations.
“It is an exciting partnership agreement — one that will enable our Aboriginal people to participate and to be employed in the information technology industry,” said Chief Ronald Morin of the Enoch Cree Nation. “We look forward to working with IBM and the government.”
“Assisting our youth and young adults with an introduction to the use of the latest communication technology is a priority. We know they will need these skills today to fully participate in gaining education and communicating in various ways, for lifelong careers and business activities,” said Ken Noskey, chair of Peavine Métis Settlement.
As part of the announcement, about 20 Amiskwaciy Academy students were chosen to attend the IBM IGNITE camp, where they learned how computers work and how to build web pages, and they explored robotics.
The majority of First Nations and Métis settlements are linked to Alberta’s SuperNet.