Community Futures Treaty Seven: Disability Employment Summit

For the past two days Sunrise Healing Lodge’s Inpatient Services Supervisor has been in attending the Community Futures Treaty Seven: Disability Employment Summit and Career Fair. The event was organized by Community Futures Treaty Seven, and featured speakers and presenters such as Dr. Linda Many Guns, Sean McEwen (Calgary Alternative Support Services), and Johnathon Red Gun (Community Futures Treaty Seven). There were attendees from many employment agencies such as Prospectand Aboriginal Futures, government workers from the provincial and federal levels, clients who have accessed employment through organizations such as Aboriginal Futures and Calgary Alternative Support Services, and many other organizations.

The main focus was on how to reach employers to best support hiring and retention of diverse jobseekers (Indigenous, minority, etc.) and jobseekers with disabilities. There was also discussion of the barriers faced by these diverse jobseekers, benefits to inclusive hiring practices, and accessing the services that can provide workplace accommodation and support to employees with disabilities.

Sean McEwen also spoke about optimizing social media presence, and the use of technology, communication and marketing to benefit both agency and client. Dr. Many Guns’ presentation focused on Cultural Imperatives and Behaviorisms among First Nations people, and how these behaviorisms can affect the way Indigenous clients make decisions, react to opportunities, and approach education and employment.