The First Nation Information Governance 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 Regional Education and Employment Survey of First Nations living on-reserve and in northern First Nation communities (REES).
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
October 15, 2010
A Message from National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo on the First Nations Information Governance Centre.
On behalf of the Assembly of First Nations, I wish to offer congratulations on today’s grand opening of the First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC) in Ottawa.
The FNIGC is the premier information, research and training centre mandated to provide the most significant and credible data on First Nations in Canada. The FNIGC will provide data using the highest standards of data research practices, while respecting the First Nations principles of ownership, control, access and possession (OCAP).
Good data is essential to reveal the critical socio-economic challenges facing First Nations and also, equally important, to point the way forward. The research and information provided by the FNIGC will support policy development and informed decision-making at all levels about the health and social wellness of First Nations peoples and communities. The Centre will also play a critical role in supporting the exercise of First Nations jurisdiction over information and building the research and information management capacity of First Nations.
As the new home to the First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey – the only national level, health and holistic survey solely governed by First Nations, the FNIGC will benefit from an established example of excellence in health research. We look forward to the long-awaited results of RHS Phase 2 to be released at a national conference in Ottawa, March 1-3, 2011.
I wish you much success in carrying out your important work to strengthen, inform and facilitate strong, healthy and vibrant First Nations communities.
Respectfully,
Shawn A-in-chut Atleo
National Chief
