Aboriginal Advisor and Initiative
Tracey Michell is CLBC’s Aboriginal Advisor. Tracey has previously worked with the First Nations Summit in the area of children and families, with a specific focus on Aboriginal matters. Tracey brings with her the knowledge and wisdom of establishing a working relationship with the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit population.
In addition, Tracey has a deep understanding of the historical relationship between legislative and policy development and the Aboriginal community, which has shaped the level of expectation between the Aboriginal people and their respective service
CLBC Aboriginal Initiative
CLBC recognizes that a key segment of our population, the Aboriginal community, requires a separate strategic initiative to ensure that all persons with developmental disabilities are recognized and valued on an equal basis. In order to address the vision of community inclusion for Aboriginal people, it must be looked at from the context of family, community and connection to Aboriginal people and traditions.
During 2008/09, the organization directed resources to move forward on this strategic initiative by establishing the new position of Aboriginal Advisor. This position focuses on developing stronger relationships with Aboriginal leaders and community organizations that support Aboriginal people’s disability-related needs.
In addition, an Interim Aboriginal Advisory Council with representatives from across the province has been created to ensure Aboriginal communities have meaningful involvement in how CLBC services are designed, delivered and evaluated for Aboriginal communities, individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
In order for CLBC to succeed with its Aboriginal Strategic Initiative, active engagement of communities and organizations to identify, prioritize and evaluate progress will be necessary. CLBC is undertaking this strategy to lay out a framework for developing an understanding of its vision, mandate and goals in order to address the challenges presented and to further its role as a partner and a resource for the Aboriginal community. This initiative will also assist in expanding the knowledge of the level of services and supports available for those with special needs and developmental disabilities across the Province.
CLBC’s work encompasses five main areas of involvement:
- Develop further relationships with Aboriginal communities and continue discussions on how CLBC can provide support to address their needs.
- Explore ways to increase accessibility and availability of services through partnerships with government, Aboriginal and community organizations.
- Identify Aboriginal adults living outside of their community of choice and help to reconnect them to their community.
- Develop and implement a plan to encourage qualified aboriginal people to apply for staff positions and increase cultural competency within all CLBC staff to work with Aboriginal people.
- Identify strategies to assist Aboriginal people with developmental disabilities.
The primary focus of the First Nations’ Advisor work is to:
- Establish effective working relationships with Aboriginal people and groups throughout British Columbia.
- Develop and help implement a strategic plan that will enable CLBC to work more effectively to meet the needs of Aboriginal people who are eligible for CLBC supports and services.
The Advisor is also be responsible for the following key components of the Aboriginal Initiative:
- Serve as the lead to address CLBC Operational Plan objective.
- Build linkages with First Nations, Métis and urban Aboriginal leaders and groups such as the First Nations Leadership Council; Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs; First Nations Summit; Aboriginal Chairs Caucus,
First Nations Director’s Forum; Joint Aboriginal Management Committee. - Raise CLBC’s profile with First Nations’ people and help them better understand what supports and services are available.
- Provide Aboriginal leadership with information to assist with their planning.
- Work with Aboriginal leaders and groups to conduct a needs analysis of Aboriginal people who are eligible for CLBC supports and services residing both on and off reserve.
- Support CLBC operations staff on practice issues in order to more effectively respond to the needs of Aboriginal people.
Aboriginal Advisory Committee
Learn more about the Committee members by clicking here.
Voting Members of the Committee:
Geri McDougall
Dr. Rachelle Hole
Mannie Stewart & Joanne Paquette
Lynne Barisoff
Diana Elliott
Teree Rathje
Neil Belanger
Self Advocate Representative from Vancouver Island
One Seat Vacant
Non-Voting:
Elder: Dorothy Ward
Carol Goozh
Brian Salisbury
Wendy Framst
Respecting Knowledge, Culture and Tradition: A CLBC Discussion Paper on Supports for Aboriginal Adults
CLBC is working to increase awareness of, and access to, culturally appropriate, safe supports and services for Aboriginal peoples in a way that recognizes the importance of Aboriginal traditions, the knowledge and experience of communities, and the challenges facing people with developmental disabilities.
This paper has been developed by CLBC to help the organization meet these objectives. “Respecting Knowledge, Culture and Tradition: A CLBC Discussion Paper on Supports for Aboriginal Adults” aims to inform service providers, individuals, families and Aboriginal communities about CLBC’s goals for services for Aboriginal peoples, the services CLBC provides, and its approach to consultation.
To download the discussion paper, please click the link below:
Links to Resources
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada: Indian and Northern Affairs Canada’s vision is a future in which First Nations, Inuit, Métis and northern communities are healthy, safe, self-sufficient and prosperous – a Canada where people make their own decisions, manage their own affairs and make strong contributions to the country as a whole. For more information, visit the INAC website at www.ainc-inac.gc.ca.
First Nations Social Development Society: The FNSDS is a non-profit society that represents the Band Social Development Workers of BC. The Band Social Development Workers (BSDW) administer Income Assistance On-reserve for BC First Nation Communities. They provide BSDW training, policy clarification and essential services as they relate to Social Development and Income Assistance. The FNSDSociety Resource Center provides online access to the Social Development Policy for PWD and PPMB. For more information, visit the FNSDS website at www.fnsds.org.
