Welcome to the FNIGC

It’s a wrap! FNIGC’s National Workshop brings researchers, educators, ethicists, journalists (and an acclaimed First Nations actor) together to discuss information governance

More than 130 experts, researchers and professionals from a wide range of backgrounds gathered in Ottawa last week for the First Nations Information Governance Centre’s OCAP™ in Action 2013 National Workshop.

The three-day workshop offered an opportunity for people from all walks of life and areas of practice, including First Nations’ survey coordinators, statistical analysts, health and education administrators and government officials to elders, ethicists and educators, to assemble in one place to discuss the concept of OCAP™ and its implications on First Nations’ jurisdiction over its own information.

The event took place at the newly renovated Delta Ottawa City Centre in downtown Ottawa and featured a series of 17 workshop sessions,  social and cultural activities, and plenary presentations — including keynote appearances by CBC journalist and author Waubgeshig  Rice and award-winning  First Nations actor Adam  Beach (Flags of our Fathers, Windtalkers, Smoke Signals, Arctic Air).

Subjects covered in the workshops included: privacy and respect in research, a look at First Nations privacy laws, an exploration of the OCAP™ certification process, IT and data protections, assessment tools, health surveillance and partnerships, how to create stories with data, and how social media can be used as a knowledge translation tool. Participants also had opportunities to enhance their skills in facilitation, train the trainer and survey methodology.

Opening and closing ceremonies were conducted by Elder Thomas Louttit and youth hand-drummer and singer Theland Kicknosway.

To view photos from the OCAP™ in Action 2013 National Workshop, visit FNIGC’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/fnigc.

To view tweets from the National Workshop, follow us on www.twitter.com at @fnigc, or search #OCAPinAction or #FNIGC.

To view the official Workshop booklet, which includes a list of presenters and workshops, visit www.fnigc.ca. A full report on the Workshop — including links to presentations — will be posted on the site in the coming weeks.

^{Employment Opportunity}

The FNIGC is seeking qualified candidates to apply for a permanent Administrative Assistant position for the FNREEES Project.

Position Overview:

The FNREEES Administrative Assistant will provide administrative support for the First Nations Regional Early Childhood, Education and Employment Survey and The First Nations Information Governance Centre under the direct supervision of the FNREEES National Project Coordinator.

Download Job Posting:  Administrative Assistant, FNREEES Project (PDF)

To Submit Your Application:

Applicants are invited to submit their letter of application, along with a current résumé, demonstrating that they meet the minimum criteria for the position and 3 references with contact information.  At the closing date, all applications are screened, and only candidates selected for interview are contacted. If the interview is positive, references will be contacted. Depending on the feedback provided, a position may be offered to the applicant.

Please submit a letter of application and include 3 references with contact information to:

Ms. Lyndsy Gracie, Administrative Assistant
The First Nations Information Governance Centre
170 Laurier Avenue West, Suite 904
Ottawa, ON K1P 5V5
Telephone:  1-613-733-1916, ext. 103
Toll Free: 1-866-997-6248, ext. 103
Fax: 1-613-231-7072
E-Mail: lgracie(AT)fnigc.ca

Closing Date:   Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. EST

_{ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 2012 FNIGC SCHOLARSHIP AWARD}

November 30, 2012

The First Nations Information Governance Centre Board of Directors is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2012 Second Annual FNIGC Scholarship Award:

Ms. Christi-Ann Poulette, a member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames First Nation in Ontario and Ms. Johanna Sam a member of the Tl'Etinqox T'in First Nation in British Columbia were the successful applicants for this year’s award.

The First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC) has offered this scholarship (bursary) opportunity for First Nation students who are pursuing a degree in the field of Epidemiology, Population Health, Statistics or Information Management Technology. Based upon available funding, the FNIGC will grant two (2) $1,000.00 Scholarships annually to aid students in their education endeavours in these specialized fields.

The FNIGC received numerous applications from across the Country from an exceptional field of candidates. The FNIGC Review Committee reviewed the applications and found it was a very difficult task as we received many well written essays and a demonstrated commitment of the candidates’ pursuit of their education goals.

Christi-Ann Poulette and Johanna Sam will each receive a $1,000.00 Scholarship Award.

Christi-Ann Poultette is completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BScN) at Laurentian University and is currently working in her community as a nurse.

Christi-Ann has described in her essay entitled "The Benefits of Credible Data to a First Nations Community" that health care in a First Nations Community is influenced by the challenges an individual or population face in the administration of their provision of care. One challenge is the identification of health care needs specific to a community. As a community health nurse in a First Nation community, she is fully aware of the need for surveillance and collection of data (aggregate and descriptive) to help guide delivery of health programs. Surveillance and its findings can assist a community in preventing further disease and complications by providing the answers to the question of who, what, where, when and why. Surveillance directs nursing to focus on the trends that are occurring and aids in developing policy and procedures around program delivery to meet priorities.

Ms. Johanna Sam is completing her Master of Science Degree at the University of British Columbia. She is a proud member of Tl’Etinqox T’in Government located in North Central British Columbia. Johanna has completed a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology (human development) with a minor First Nation studies at the University of Northern British Columbia. She has started her first year of the Master of Science, Population and Public Health program with the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine. Johanna’s research interests are to explore psychosocial differences in the relationships between adverse childhood experiences and ways in which both at-risk and mainstream youths’ access mental health services – especially mental health services that are being delivered or facilitated by new technology. The use of new technology could allow mental health providers to better meet both youth and community members' needs. Johanna’s passions involve new initiatives designed to enhance equity for socially marginalized populations, such as Indigenous people, youth, and women. Johanna said that "this award will support my educational journey and career goal of one day becoming a public health scientist."

Congratulations to you both!

The FNIGC Board of Directors wishes to thank all the applicants.
 

_Announcement

Health Canada Release, September 27th, 2012 (10:30 - 12:30 EST.)

The FNIGC formally released the “RHS Phase 2 (2008/10) National Report on the Adult, Youth and Children Living in First Nations Communities” to Health Canada on September 27^th, at 10:30 - 12:30pm (EST.) at Tunney’s Pasture in Ottawa.

Click on the download links below to gain exclusive access to the presentations. Within, you will find exciting and new selected results from the 2008/10 Regional Health Survey (RHS) and the First Nations Oral Health Survey (FNOHS) 2008/10.

As well, you can download your copy of the RHS Phase 2 National Report and the FNOHS Summary Report.

The First Nations Regional Health Survey (RHS) Phase 2 - 2008/10 Selected Results (PDF file) [ 1.3 Mb ]

The First Nations Regional Health Survey (RHS) 2008/10 - National Report on Adults, Youth, and Children Living in First Nations Communities (PDF file) [ 6.5 Mb ]

The First Nations Oral Health Survey (FNOHS) - 2009/10 Selected Results (PDF file) [ 1.28 Mb ]

The First Nations Oral Health Survey (FNOHS) - 2009/10 Summary Report (PDF file) [ 858.15 ]
 

_{Vitality of First Nations Cultures Remains the Same or Shows Improvement: Regional Health Survey}

June 20, 2012

The majority of adults (83%) taking part in the First Nations Regional Health Survey (RHS) say they feel their cultures on-reserve and in northern communities had either improved or stayed the same. This is encouraging news after decades of government policies that sought to eradicate First Nations languages and cultures.

67% of First Nations adults "sometimes" participated in cultural events in their territories. The RHS found that adults who frequently participated in community cultural events "were less likely to be depressed, more likely to perceive control over their lives, more likely to perceive greater social support, and less likely to use licit and illicit substances."

4 out of 5 First Nations adults considered traditional ceremonies or spirituality at least "somewhat" important, although young adults were less likely to feel the same way.

The First Nations Governance Information Centre says that while the results are encouraging they are also fragile.

"We've seen a lot of hard work on the part of First Nations to stop the erosion and rebuild their languages and cultural practices over the years. Our Health survey shows that First Nations have made some gains but questions remain whether the support will be there for language programs to introduce another generation of youth to their own ceremonies and beliefs."

A minority of respondents (21%) said they had visited a traditional healer in the 12 months prior to this survey. Despite the low numbers, adds Gray, "these figures are up from 15% in our previous RHS in 2003. It shows that First Nations are making progress to revive their own cultural practices despite the almost constant pressures to give them up."

For more information:
Gail McDonald
Operations Manager
gmcdonald(AT)fnigc.ca

To download the full report, go to the "Downloads" page: www.fnigc.ca/node/6
 

_{Media Announcement:}

The First Nation Information Governance Centre Partners with Canada to Conduct Regional Education/Employment Survey!

December 15, 2011, Ottawa, Ontario — The First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC) has partnered with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) on the fourth generation of the Survey on Aboriginal Peoples (2011). The FNIGC will be conducting the First Nations Regional Education and Employment Survey (REES) of First Nations living on-reserve and in northern First Nation communities.

Under a mandate received from the First Nations leadership through the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Resolution No. 19 passed in July, 2011, the FNIGC will conduct the REES survey that will focus on three priority areas identified by First Nations communities, organizations and governments: education and employment and early childhood development. The data will allow for better tracking and understanding of the specific needs associated with these priority areas.

According to AFN Chiefs Committee on Health Chair and Manitoba First Nations Regional Chief Bill Traverse, “Since the mid 1990s, the Regional Health Survey (RHS) has been effectively carried out by the regional members and national coordination which is now FNIGC. In 2006, Harvard University recognized RHS as scientifically valid and cultural rooted Indigenous model for survey delivery. We are well qualified and ready to deliver the REES survey”.

“There is a significant data gap in First Nations communities for many key socio-economic indicators, particularly in the areas of education and employment and early childhood development...there is an urgent need to obtain relevant and quality data to help make informed decisions which will lead to improvements in the lives of First Nations peoples,” says Ceal Tournier, Chairperson, FNIGC Board of Directors.

The data will help a wide range of policy and programming decision-makers focus on the real needs of First Nations communities, ensuring the First Nations and Crown Governments’ ability to analyze trends over time and make informed decisions based on current data.

The mandate of the First Nations Regional Education and Employment Survey (REES) is to ensure that accountability, respect, ethics, values and the First Nations Principles of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (OCAP) to First Nations data, research and information processes are protected and advanced. Preliminary results of the REES survey are expected to be released in 2014 and will be made available incrementally in the following years (2015-2016).

"The FNIGC has already achieved tremendous success in providing quality and credible information and has earned the respect of First Nations communities, governments and academics. We look forward to working with Canada on this important initiative over the next five years." says Gail Mc Donald, FNIGC Operations Manager.

- 30 -

For more information and media inquiries contact Gail McDonald, FNIGC Operations Manager at 613-733-1916 (Toll Free: 866-997-6248, Ext. 101)
www.fnigc.ca
 

_{Video Media}

Tune in to the link below to view the exciting video on FNIGC RHS Youth results as performed by Wab Kinew!