Stakeholders
 

Preparing First Nations’ People Today
for Employment Tomorrow

Oteenow Employment and Training Society assists First Nations People in the Edmonton metropolitan area by improving their health, independence and employability.

Our Mandate

“Our Mandate is to provide governance and management of First Nation’s urban resources to implement labor market programs and services for the benefit of First Nation members residing in the Edmonton metropolitan area.”

Our Mission

“Our Mission is to provide human resource development programs and services to First Nations people in the Edmonton metropolitan area in order assist them in becoming self-reliant and subsequently to lead productive lives.”

Our Vision

“Healthy, independent and employed First Nations people in the Edmonton metropolitan area.”

Oteenow Employment and Training Society:

  • Provides skills development and employment opportunities
  • Provides quality client-assistance services
  • Builds capacity through the formation of supportive partnerships
  • Strengthens accountability through community involvement

Oteenow Employment & Training Society focuses on:

  • High school retention
  • Single Parenting
  • Persons with Disabilities
  • Youth
  • Women
  • Unskilled Workers
  • Unemployed or Underemployed

Oteenow's History

The history of labour market initiatives with First Nations in Alberta began in 1993 with the “Pathways to Success" and later the Regional Bi-Lateral Agreements (RBAs), which were funded by Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC).

These agreements, which were structured to address the employment and training requirements of the First Nations across Canada, were initially for three years in duration.The new Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy resulted in five-year initiatives to ensure the continued access by First Nations peoples to labour market services, programs and employment opportunities.

The Oteenow Employment & Training Society was developed when the stakeholders from both Treaty 6 and Treaty 8 recognized the feasibility of forming a co-operative partnership to more effectively provide employment and training services in Edmonton and the surrounding communities where First Nation people reside.

On April 1st of 2005 Oteenow’s Aboriginal Human Resources Agreement (AHRDA) was approved for 5 years ending March 31st 2009.

Milestones & Achievements

  • Over the past eight years (1999-2007), over 36,000 clients have utilized the services of the Oteenow Employment Centre.
  • During this same period we have successfully initiated, developed and delivered over 200 quality programs directed at meeting the needs of Edmonton’s Aboriginal labour force.
  • A total of 1019 First Nations people found work as a result of Oteenow's assistance, including many youths and persons with disabilities.
  • In the last two years Oteenow has leveraged over 11 million dollars in partnered projects and programs with other funding agencies such as The Metis Nation of Alberta, and the Province of Alberta.