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Ontario’s Trade Dispute Fallout: A Call to Support Urban Indigenous Communities
The ongoing trade dispute with the United States is reshaping Ontario’s economy in profound ways. Economists are warning of a troubling mix of inflation and recession. As this crisis deepens, the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) is calling on all levels of government to include Indigenous voices – including the OFIFC and its network of Friendship Centres – in economic planning and to make strategic investments that prevent further hardship in urban Indigenous communities.
Lee Airton Real Talk and Fireside Chat Summary
At OMSSA’s 2024 Exchange Conference, our Day 2 Keynote Speaker, Lee Airton (they/them), Assistant Professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies in Education at Queen’s University, discussed contemporary successes and challenges in the work of creating institutions that welcome gender and sexual diversity, particularly in the changing Canadian political context. Lee also answered questions from attendees about specific practical issues that are arising in workplaces so we can work to ensure our spaces are affirming for all. This conversation, including Q&A, has been summarized for the Knowledge Exchange Blog and Exchange Conference Resource webpage.
An Interview with Mike Nadeau
Mike is currently the CEO of the Sault Ste. Marie Social Service Administration Board and Treasurer of OMSSA. He has over 20 years’ experience in both First Nations and municipal human services. Prior to joining the District of Sault Ste. Marie, Mike was the Executive Director for the Ontario Native Welfare Administrators’ Association (ONWAA) for 12 years and was accountable to 108 First Nations across the province.
Mike has extensive knowledge regarding human service delivery, policy and best practices. This interview explores his experience working with different communities and his overall experience and contributions to the human services sector.
Understanding Autistic Human Services Workers
Often, autistic individuals are overlooked for roles in helping professions, yet, recent research that examines autistic educators, nurses, librarians and doctors, demonstrate that those with lived experience are proud of their workplace contributions in helping professions, especially in relation to supporting autistic service users. Further, human services boast inclusive values and ethics, which might draw autistic workers towards the field. In this article, author Sarah Southey provides a brief overview of autism in the workplace and describe challenges and recommendations that can be implemented to foster neurodivergent inclusion in human services organizations.
Developing an Indigenous-led RECE Training Program in Niagara
OMSSA is featuring several 2023 Local Municipal Champion award recipients and their work in the Knowledge Exchange Blog. Please read this entry from Niagara Region.
The Niagara Region Children’s Services Division, the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre (FENFC), Niagara College (NC) and Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) formed a partnership, planned and delivered the Indigenous-led Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) Program pilot project.
An Interview with Andrew Scavarelli
Andrew is currently the Director of Ontario Works for the County of Simcoe and he is also Chair of OMSSA’s Awards Committee. Andrew has nearly 15 years of experience in the successful and integrated delivery of municipal social services. He began his career with the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB) in 2009, where he held progressive leadership roles, and played a key-role in TBDSSAB’s commitment and transition to an integrated service delivery model.
Known by his colleagues as an influential leader, strong consensus builder and exceptional communicator, Andrew is a visionary leader who continuously demonstrates his commitment to furthering social and human service integration.
This interview explores his experience working with different communities and his overall experience and contributions to the human services sector.
Urban Indigenous Homeward Bound: Connecting for the Dream
Seven years ago, Ashley Pitawanakwat moved 700 kilometers across the province from Wikwemikong First Nation to Niagara Region with her three children to escape an abusive partner.
Pitawanakwat describes herself as lost in her trauma at the time. She hadn’t lived in her hometown of Fort Erie for 20 years and was nervous about reconnecting with the local urban Indigenous community. Gradually, though, she began to attend women’s drumming circles at the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre (FENFC).
At one of these events, a Friendship Centre board member asked if she would consider participating in a new pilot program, Urban Indigenous Homeward Bound (UIHB). “I didn’t know what UIHB was, what the goals were, or even what being a pilot participant meant, but I said yes and jumped right into it,” she recalls.
To learn more about the Urban Indigenous Homeward Bound Program, please attend the session Urban Indigenous Homeward Bound: Connecting for the Dream at the 2024 OMSSA Exchange Conference on May 8th at 10:30 a.m.
OMSSA Report on the 2024 Ontario Budget
On March 27, Ontario’s Minister of Finance, Peter Bethlenfalvy, delivered the 2024 Ontario Budget titled Building a Better Ontario.
Learn more about some of the highlights relevant to OMSSA Members and the municipal human services sector.
Build Belonging Through Inclusive EarlyON Programming
OMSSA is featuring several 2023 Local Municipal Champion award recipients and their work in the Knowledge Exchange Blog. Please read this entry from the City of Brantford.
Build Belonging is a collaboration between the Brantford Immigration Partnership, Community Living Brant, Child and Family Services of Grand Erie, YMCA Immigrant Services, the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board, and the City of Brantford.
The goal of Build Belonging is to increase EarlyON attendance from diverse families, by offering culturally-informed programming, art, books, and toys, culturally-based storytelling, open houses, translation of promotional material and program calendars, community/parent consultation, and identification of champions within various cultural communities.
Build Belonging represents a key project supporting both the Inclusive Community Plan and Building the Community from the Kids Up Plan.
OMSSA Report on the 2024 Federal Budget
On April 16, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland delivered the 2024 Federal Budget. The budget focused on three themes: Solving the Housing Crisis, Fairness for Younger Generations, and Economic Growth and Productivity. Learn more about some of the highlights relevant to OMSSA Members and the human services sectors.
An Interview with Stella Danos-Papaconstantinou
Stella Danos-Papaconstantinou has more than 25 years of leadership experience in the human services sector. As Commissioner of Durham Region’s Social Services Department, Stella oversees programs and services across six divisions that include; early learning and childcare, social assistance, emergency social services, housing and homelessness, individual & family counselling along with four Long-term care homes.
Stella is currently the Vice-President of OMSSA and she is also Chair of the Housing and Homelessness Network.
Stella holds a strong vision for helping individuals and families in the community through integrated service delivery of innovative modernized approaches. This interview explores her priorities in human services delivery for Durham Region, her passion and value for keeping Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at the core of her work, and her overall experience and contributions to the human services sector.