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Volume 1, Issue 1
March 2015
K W I L M U ’ K W M AW - K L U S U A Q N / M i ’ k m a q R i g h t s I n i t i a t i v e
Spi newslet ter
In this issue:
What is SPI?
1
What is the SPI Team Doing?
2
Upcoming Workshop
4
Employment Opportunities
4
M e s s a g e f r o m t h e A s s e m b ly
Chief Robert Gloade
Finance Portfolio
Assembly of Nova Scotia
Mi’kmaq Chiefs
We all listened anxiously
on October 9th, 2011 as
Irving Shipbuilding Inc.,
was named the successful
bidder to build combat
vessels for the Canadian
Government
under
Canada’s
National
Shipbuilding Procurement
Strategy (NSPS). These
vessels, to be built in the
Halifax Harbour, will have
an estimated value of $33
billion over the span of 30
years.
shipbuilding in Nova
Scotia. The SPI team will
be working to identify
barriers
(training,
education, notification,
etc.) faced by Nova Scotia
Mi’kmaq in this industry
and
will
promote
available opportunities,
all the while developing
an
Aboriginal
KMKNO and the Assembly Apprenticeship Strategy.
of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq
Chiefs
recognize
the It is the goal of KMKNO,
importance of relationship the Assembly and the SPI
building, and the need to team that the Mi’kmaq of
fully
understand
the Nova Scotia see success
supply chain, for the in this project today, and
Mi’kmaq to be successful for 30 years to come.
in the long-term life of
Megan Wood, Project
Assistant will be working
to build relationships with
industry partners and to
coordinate efforts among
Mi’kmaq
organizations
and
communities
increasing readiness for
Mi’kmaq participation in
the shipbuilding contracts.
A Strategic Partnership
Initiative (SPI) project was
developed to increase
Mi’kmaq participation in
the NSPS.
Kwilmu’kw
Maw-klusuaqn
Negotiation
Office
(KMKNO) has hired a
Project Coordinator and
Assistant so that the
Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia
can better understand the
opportunities coming out
of the NSPS. Gerard Julian,
Project Coordinator and
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W h at W i l l t h e S P I T e a m b e D o i n g ?
The SPI Project Coordinator and Assistant both have a number of items that they will be
overseeing:
A) The Irving Shipbuilding Pillar Subcommittees
The Pillar Subcommittees stem from a large working group who were brought together to
increase Mi’kmaq inclusion in the shipbuilding projects. Two subcommittees, each focusing
on a distinct area (Job/Labour Market Readiness and Business Development & Employer
Readiness), have brought together Mi’kmaq representatives from across the province as well
as Federal and Provincial representatives to move these discussions forward. To coordinate
efforts and to ensure that the Pillars are Mi’kmaq focused and action driven, the SPI team has
taken over managing and administration of these committees. By meeting monthly, the SPI
team and the Pillar subcommittees can ensure items are being actioned and that Nova Scotia
Mi’kmaq are aware of the potential opportunities available with Irving Shipbuilding - as traders workers and as Mi’kmaq and Aboriginal business owners.
B) Post-Secondary Education
The SPI team will be working closely with the Mi’kmaw Employment and Training Secretariat
(METS), Mi’kmaq Native Friendship Centre (MNFC), and Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey (MK) to
analyze the existing barriers to proper course selection and to develop a work plan to help
guide students to choose courses that position them better to enroll in post-secondary
institutions.
C) Ensuring Graduates have necessary qualifications
The SPI team will work with industry partners to determine if and/or why current graduates
are not employment ready. An analysis will then be conducted of existing curriculum to
determine if the appropriate courses are being offered at post-secondary institutions to match
the needs of employers.
D) Aboriginal Apprenticeship Strategy
KMKNO has hired Group ATN Consulting (GATN) to develop an Aboriginal Apprenticeship
Strategy to increase opportunities for Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq to gain the necessary hours in
their field, which will thereby increasing the number of red seal certified trades people. As
part of the strategy development, GATN is conducting surveys with both Native Employment
Officers (NEOs) and Mi’kmaq Apprentices to determine barriers and identify solutions. Those
who respond to the survey are entered for a chance to win a Mini iPad.
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W h at W i l l t h e S P I T e a m b e D o i n g ?
E) Building relationships and partnerships
The role of the SPI team is to provide representation at industry events and to work with
companies to ensure they are aware of NS Mi’kmaq readiness to participate. The SPI team
will used these events and meetings to develop preliminary opportunities and awareness for
Mi’kmaq businesses. By participating and attending these events, the SPI team will then build
an understanding the shipbuilding supply chain, and share what they learn to benefit all
Mi’kmaq businesses and tradespeople.
F) Encouraging registration as an Aboriginal business
Our goal to help Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq businesses to understand the process of the supply
chain, the importance of participation, as well as understanding the benefits of registering
their business as an “Aboriginal Business” with Irving.
G) Defining Aboriginal in Irving’s Policy
The SPI team will focus discussions and engagement with a variety of partners and community representatives to develop a mutually acceptable definition of what an “Aboriginal employee” or “Aboriginal business” is. This definition will help the team to develop a protocol which
can then be used to properly measure Aboriginal inclusion.
H) Bring together Mi’kmaq organizations, communities and the Assembly
The SPI team has begun to increase communication so that the Mi’kmaq are aware of opportunities and are able to work together to address challenges, as it pertains to the shipbuilding
industry.
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Upcoming workshop
KMKNO and its SPI team are organizing a workshop for March 31st,
2015 that will focus on the importance of creating an online
presence. The workshop is being offered to all NS Mi’kmaq
businesses, community Native Employment Officers and Economic
Development Officers, so that they can better understand the
importance of having a web presence, and learn the basics of how to
create their own website. As well, industry representatives will be on
hand to provide a better understanding of the Irving shipbuilding
supply chain. For more information on the workshop please contact
Megan Wood, SPI Project Assistant mwood@mikmaqrights.com
75 Treaty Trail
Millbrook, NS
B6L 1W3
Gerard Julian
SPI Project Manager
gjulian@mikmaqrights.com
902-957-4626 (cell)
902-843-3880 (phone)
902-843-3882 (fax)
Megan Wood
SPI Project Assistant
mwood@mikmaqrights.com
902-957-5666 (cell)
902-843-3880 (phone)
902-843-3882 (fax)
Employment opportunities
For the most up to date information on Irving Shipbuilding and
upcoming employment opportunities please visit
www.irvingshipbuilding.com
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