Timmins Aboriginal Services and Programs Gap Analysis: Final Report and Recommendations

Synopsis

The Timmins Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) will be receiving up to $247,000 in funding from FedNor and $130,000 in funding from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs—Rural Economic Development Program in order to create an Aboriginal Liaison Coordinator position to head the Timmins and District Aboriginal Partnership (TADAP), a three year project.  TADAP is an innovative and timely initiative designed to enhance dialogical partnerships between the TEDC, Aboriginal organizations and First Nation communities within the Timmins-James Bay region. The aim of TADAP is to remove barriers, create jobs and cultivate business development opportunities for the mutual benefit of all people.

The Timmins and District Aboriginal Partnership project seeks to build confidence and meaningful relationships between the City of Timmins and the Timmins Urban Aboriginal communities. The project will bring together the Bands of the Mushkegowuk and Wabun Tribal Councils, as well as the City of Timmins and its partners to help create/implement successful socioeconomic opportunities leading to job creation, barrier removal and business development in the area. This initiative will benefit Northern Ontario Aboriginal communities and the City of Timmins by addressing areas including partnership development, skill enhancements/training and cultural awareness.

The key themes chosen by the partners for this project include: (1) increasing partnerships and development opportunities by forging a true partnership with Aboriginal communities (focus on fairness, respect and mutual benefit), (2) increasing Aboriginal cultural awareness in the community and (3) improving education and training opportunities for Aboriginal persons (e.g.: focus on skill-sets currently needed). The main objectives of the TADAP project are: (1) the building of relationships and partnerships between the Wabun and Mushkegowuk Tribal Councils, Urban Aboriginal organizations and the City of Timmins, (2) the identification and implementations of the "Building our Future 2005-2008" Strategic Plan First Nation session and work towards barrier removal, job creation and increased business developments in all communities involved, (3) the sharing of resources toward achieving mutually identified and desired community economic development project goals, and (4) the application of best principles and practices toward improving business and community life within, and progressively more healthy relations between, the partnered communities. 

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