Agenda for Winnipeg Gathering
A note on terminology: In Canada, the term “Aboriginal” is used to refer to all Native populations, including people who are either “First Nations (people of 100% native descent, affiliated with the 10 original provinces of the Canadian “south”), “Métis” (people who are part-Native, part-European), or Inuit and Dene (Native people who are from the Canadian “north,” i.e., Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunuvut). The term “First Peoples” can be used synonymously with Aboriginal. We have chosen to use the term Aboriginal rather than First Peoples to reduce confusion and because it is in keeping with the language used by our partners and hosts in Winnipeg.
Monday, May 19
5:00 pm Learning/Action Lab begins.
Location for reception/dinner: River Salon at Inn at The Forks, 75 Forks Market Rd, Winnipeg, MB.
5:15 Opening blessing.
5:30 Reception and welcome: Greeting from Ted/Justin.
6:00 Dinner: Provided by the Learning/Action Lab.
Tuesday, May 20
Meeting location: Manitoba Theatre for Young People, 2 Forks Market Rd, next door to hotel
8:30 Breakfast: Provided by the Learning/Action Lab.
9:00 Opening Circle.
9:30 Welcome: Brief welcome from host, review of agenda, general housekeeping, led by Marjorie Kelly and Ted Howard.
9:45 Panel: Making it Real – Overcoming Obstacles to Ownership (Moderator: Steve Dubb). This panel will discuss what it takes to bring people toward employment, asset building, and, ultimately, ownership. Panelists will represent all perspectives along this spectrum in Winnipeg from intervention, pre-employment work readiness, workforce training, and cooperative and enterprise management, as well as the perspective of the worker-owners themselves. The discussion will address the day-to-day challenges and what it really takes to make change in your community. Panelist will present for 10 minutes each and take questions from the group, followed by a longer period of direct engagement with participants. Panelists Include:
10:45 Break.
11:00 Breakout session with panelists: Self-organize into peer groups for direct engagement with panelists as an opportunity to deeply engage around shared challenges.
12:30 Lunch at Neechi Food Cooperative and Commons (http://neechi.ca/), 865 Main St, Winnipeg, MB: Neechi Food Cooperatives (Neechi means friend/sister/brother in Cree and Ojibwa) is an Aboriginal grocery and specialty store that opened in Winnipeg in 1990. It is truly a community store, based on the principles of an Aboriginal owned-and-operated worker co-operative. The new Neechi Commons offers a neighborhood supermarket, restaurant, fruit and vegetable courtyard and arts store. During our visit, in addition to a delicious lunch in their restaurant, we will have a conversation about their operations and economic development activities and learn about what it takes to do this work in First Nations communities.
2:15 Tour of and presentation at SEED Winnipeg (http://seedwinnipeg.ca/), 80 Salter St, Winnipeg, MB: (Moderator: Marjorie Kelly) Down the street from Neechi Commons, SEED Winnipeg offers asset building and cooperative development services to Aboriginal residents in the city. Together with the University of Winnipeg’s Community Renewal Corporation (UWCRC) they run Diversity Food Services, a social enterprise that provides food services to the University of Winnipeg and to the community while providing job opportunities for immigrants, people of Aboriginal descent, and others who are “hard-to-employ.” During our visit we will hear from Sherman Kreiner, Managing Director of UWCRC, and Cindy Coker, Executive Director, SEED Winnipeg, as well as a representative and employees from Diversity Foods, and participants in the business development programs offered by UWCRC.
4:30 Refreshments at Arctic Cooperatives (http://www.arcticco-op.com/), 1645 Inkster Blvd, Winnipeg, MB: Incorporated in 1972, Arctic Cooperatives provides support to a network of cooperative business enterprises that are located in Nunavut and Northwest Territories, with combined revenues of approximately $196.7 million in 2012. With over 900 people employed in the network, the co-op system in the north is a great example of Aboriginal community economic development in Canada. The 31 co-ops are independently owned and controlled Inuit and Dene businesses. Businesses include retail facilities, hotels, cable operations, construction, outfitting, arts and crafts production and property rentals. At Arctic’s offices, Andy Morrison, CEO, will greet us, along with other staff, while we view Inuit and Dene art and enjoy light refreshments.
5:30 Return to Hotel: Dinner on your own.
Wednesday, May 21
8:30am Breakfast: Provided by the Learning Action Lab at hotel using meal vouchers.
9:00 One-on-one with Urban Circle (http://www.urbancircletraining.com/home.htm), 519 Selkirk Ave, Winnipeg, MB: (Moderator: Jill Bamburg) Urban Circle Training Centre Inc. is a 23 year old community-based organization that specializes in pre-employment training and job placement for Aboriginal women and men. This morning we will visit their location and meet with their elders as well as graduates of their program to learn about their decolonization approach to personal healing to help indigenous people grow their own personal capacity. While there, we will meet with:
11:30 Lunch with Urban Circle. Provided by Learning/Action Lab.
12:15pm Return to meeting location.
12:30 Moving in to Year Two: (Moderator: Ted Howard) Brief discussion about where we are in the proposal process, next steps for the project overall, and what year 2 will look like.
1:00 Coaching break-out sessions.
2:00 Closing Circle: Report back and feedback.
3:00 Meeting Adjourns.
A note on terminology: In Canada, the term “Aboriginal” is used to refer to all Native populations, including people who are either “First Nations (people of 100% native descent, affiliated with the 10 original provinces of the Canadian “south”), “Métis” (people who are part-Native, part-European), or Inuit and Dene (Native people who are from the Canadian “north,” i.e., Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunuvut). The term “First Peoples” can be used synonymously with Aboriginal. We have chosen to use the term Aboriginal rather than First Peoples to reduce confusion and because it is in keeping with the language used by our partners and hosts in Winnipeg.
Monday, May 19
5:00 pm Learning/Action Lab begins.
Location for reception/dinner: River Salon at Inn at The Forks, 75 Forks Market Rd, Winnipeg, MB.
5:15 Opening blessing.
5:30 Reception and welcome: Greeting from Ted/Justin.
6:00 Dinner: Provided by the Learning/Action Lab.
Tuesday, May 20
Meeting location: Manitoba Theatre for Young People, 2 Forks Market Rd, next door to hotel
8:30 Breakfast: Provided by the Learning/Action Lab.
9:00 Opening Circle.
9:30 Welcome: Brief welcome from host, review of agenda, general housekeeping, led by Marjorie Kelly and Ted Howard.
9:45 Panel: Making it Real – Overcoming Obstacles to Ownership (Moderator: Steve Dubb). This panel will discuss what it takes to bring people toward employment, asset building, and, ultimately, ownership. Panelists will represent all perspectives along this spectrum in Winnipeg from intervention, pre-employment work readiness, workforce training, and cooperative and enterprise management, as well as the perspective of the worker-owners themselves. The discussion will address the day-to-day challenges and what it really takes to make change in your community. Panelist will present for 10 minutes each and take questions from the group, followed by a longer period of direct engagement with participants. Panelists Include:
- Sherry Smadella, Manager for Training and Education, Arctic Cooperatives
- Frank Parkes, General Manager, Neechi Commons
- Iain Brynjolson, Produce Manager and worker-owner, Neechi Cooperative Grocery
- Julie Harper, Education and Cooperative Coordinator, Eagle Women’s Lodge at the Native Women’s Transition Centre Inc.
- Participant/member with Eagle Women’s Lodge Co-op Project
10:45 Break.
11:00 Breakout session with panelists: Self-organize into peer groups for direct engagement with panelists as an opportunity to deeply engage around shared challenges.
12:30 Lunch at Neechi Food Cooperative and Commons (http://neechi.ca/), 865 Main St, Winnipeg, MB: Neechi Food Cooperatives (Neechi means friend/sister/brother in Cree and Ojibwa) is an Aboriginal grocery and specialty store that opened in Winnipeg in 1990. It is truly a community store, based on the principles of an Aboriginal owned-and-operated worker co-operative. The new Neechi Commons offers a neighborhood supermarket, restaurant, fruit and vegetable courtyard and arts store. During our visit, in addition to a delicious lunch in their restaurant, we will have a conversation about their operations and economic development activities and learn about what it takes to do this work in First Nations communities.
2:15 Tour of and presentation at SEED Winnipeg (http://seedwinnipeg.ca/), 80 Salter St, Winnipeg, MB: (Moderator: Marjorie Kelly) Down the street from Neechi Commons, SEED Winnipeg offers asset building and cooperative development services to Aboriginal residents in the city. Together with the University of Winnipeg’s Community Renewal Corporation (UWCRC) they run Diversity Food Services, a social enterprise that provides food services to the University of Winnipeg and to the community while providing job opportunities for immigrants, people of Aboriginal descent, and others who are “hard-to-employ.” During our visit we will hear from Sherman Kreiner, Managing Director of UWCRC, and Cindy Coker, Executive Director, SEED Winnipeg, as well as a representative and employees from Diversity Foods, and participants in the business development programs offered by UWCRC.
4:30 Refreshments at Arctic Cooperatives (http://www.arcticco-op.com/), 1645 Inkster Blvd, Winnipeg, MB: Incorporated in 1972, Arctic Cooperatives provides support to a network of cooperative business enterprises that are located in Nunavut and Northwest Territories, with combined revenues of approximately $196.7 million in 2012. With over 900 people employed in the network, the co-op system in the north is a great example of Aboriginal community economic development in Canada. The 31 co-ops are independently owned and controlled Inuit and Dene businesses. Businesses include retail facilities, hotels, cable operations, construction, outfitting, arts and crafts production and property rentals. At Arctic’s offices, Andy Morrison, CEO, will greet us, along with other staff, while we view Inuit and Dene art and enjoy light refreshments.
5:30 Return to Hotel: Dinner on your own.
Wednesday, May 21
8:30am Breakfast: Provided by the Learning Action Lab at hotel using meal vouchers.
9:00 One-on-one with Urban Circle (http://www.urbancircletraining.com/home.htm), 519 Selkirk Ave, Winnipeg, MB: (Moderator: Jill Bamburg) Urban Circle Training Centre Inc. is a 23 year old community-based organization that specializes in pre-employment training and job placement for Aboriginal women and men. This morning we will visit their location and meet with their elders as well as graduates of their program to learn about their decolonization approach to personal healing to help indigenous people grow their own personal capacity. While there, we will meet with:
- Elder Stella Blackbird from Keeseekoowenin First Nation in Mantitoba
- Elder Audrey Bone - Keeseekoowenin First Nation
- Eleanor Thompson - Founder and Director of Development, Urban Circle
- Sharon Slater - Co-Director, Urban Circle
- Kim Embleton - Co-Director, Urban Circle
- Yvonne Landon - Financial Administrator and Graduate of Urban Circle
- Haven Stumpf - Intake Coordinator and Graduate of Urban Circle
- Patti Wandowich - Administrative Assistant and Graduate of Urban Circle
11:30 Lunch with Urban Circle. Provided by Learning/Action Lab.
12:15pm Return to meeting location.
12:30 Moving in to Year Two: (Moderator: Ted Howard) Brief discussion about where we are in the proposal process, next steps for the project overall, and what year 2 will look like.
1:00 Coaching break-out sessions.
2:00 Closing Circle: Report back and feedback.
3:00 Meeting Adjourns.
Logistics
Airport Information
Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson Airport (YWG): http://www.waa.ca/
Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson Airport (YWG) is the only airport that serves the city and is about a half hour away from downtown Winnipeg and The Forks. The best way to get to and from the airport is by taxi or sedan services. The cost to downtown is roughly $18 in a taxi or $32 in a sedan. The airport is also serviced by Winnipeg’s extensive public bus system but takes closer to an hour and requires at least one transfer to get to and from the hotel where we will be staying. The cost for a one-way fare is under $3. To get exact fares and find out the best bus route, visit: https://winnipegtransit.com/.
Customs and Currency
Since we will be traveling across international borders to get in to Canada, not only is a passport required, but you will also have to clear customs entering Canada and when returning to the United States. For more about what you can bring in to Canada and bring back in to the United States, visit this website: http://canada.usembassy.gov/traveling_to_canada/entering-canada.html. Because of customs and security clearance it is best to allow yourself more time at the airport – arriving 2 hours in advance of your flight is what is recommended for international travel.
Canada uses the Canadian Dollar rather than the American Dollar and they have different values. As of May 8 2014, 1 Canadian Dollar was equal 92 cents US. Please be aware that sales tax in Canada is high. Expect to add 13 percent to the bills of most everything that you buy. To buy goods and services in Winnipeg, you will have to exchange U.S. dollars for Canadian dollars or withdraw money from an ATM in Canada to pay with cash and you will most likely be charged a minimal conversion fee by your bank when using a debit or credit card (which are accepted most places that they are accepted in the United States). If you do not regularly travel outside of the United States, it is advisable to call your bank in advance so that they do not put a freeze on your card for fear of suspicious activity.
Hotel Information
We have set aside a block of rooms for our whole group at the Inn at the Forks on the national historic site of The Forks in downtown Winnipeg. Our opening reception and dinner on Monday, May 19 starting at 5pm will be held in the River Salon on the second floor of the hotel.
The Inn at the Forks
75 Forks Market Rd
Winnipeg, MB
Contact: 204.942.6555
http://www.innforks.com/
Meeting Space and Location
Our meetings on the morning of Tuesday, May 20 and the afternoon of Wednesday, May 21 will be held at the Manitoba Theatre for Young People, right next door to the hotel. It is a colorful contemporary building on an intersection diagonally across the street from the “Explore Manitoba” building.
The Manitoba Theatre for Young People
2 Forks Market Road
Winnipeg, MB
Contact: 204.947.0394
http://www.mtyp.ca/contact.cfm
The area of The Forks, where our hotel and meeting space are, is one of Winnipeg’s most popular tourist attractions with many parks, restaurants, museums and shops. Located at the junction of the Assiniboine and Red rivers, The Forks was originally a trading post for early Aboriginals and, later, European fur traders and riverboat workers, railway pioneers and other immigrants. It is not far from the downtown Winnipeg business district. You can find out more about The Forks at http://www.theforks.com/.
Site Visits and Bus Service
We will visit three locations on Tuesday afternoon starting shortly after 12 noon and returning to the hotel by 6 pm. We will also be spending Wednesday morning from 9 am until shortly after noon at yet another location (please see the agenda for more details). A bus will be provided for all visits. We will mostly be going to organization’s offices and meeting spaces, but we will also be visiting a grocery store and doing some short walking tours, so dress comfortably and wear shoes that are good for walking.
Expense Arrangements
Please note that as participants in the Learning/Action Lab you are responsible for your own hotel, transportation, and food costs. As part of the Lab, the sponsors will be providing certain meals (as specified on the Agenda) and paying for these. Other food costs are your responsibility.
Weather
Winnipeg has very harsh, cold and snowy winters and a late spring, with temperatures usually between 5 and 10 degrees colder than Northern U.S. cities such as Minneapolis, MN. Please be sure to check the weather in advance, but at the moment the forecast for our time there shows highs in the mid-50s to low-60s with lows in the 40s with some chance of precipitation. Be sure to bring layers and dress accordingly.
Transportation Information
Winnipeg has an extensive network of public buses, operated by Winnipeg Transit. Fares are generally under $3 to go anywhere within the city and free transfers are available. You can purchase a book of ten tickets for just over $20. Winnipeg Transit also offers a free downtown Spirit Shuttle bus that covers Portage Avenue, Broadway, and the Forks. You can find maps, hour, determine fares, and plan routes for both the bus system and the free shuttle at https://winnipegtransit.com/.
If you are looking for a taxi in Winnipeg, here are a few services:
Unicity Taxi Duffy’s Taxi
Dispatch: 204.925.3131 Dispatch: 204.325.0101
http://www.unicitytaxi.mb.ca/ http://www.duffystaxi.com/
Map
Link to Interactive Map: https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=z6iPBDzZy9E4.kYgW-DcteSz4
Airport Information
Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson Airport (YWG): http://www.waa.ca/
Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson Airport (YWG) is the only airport that serves the city and is about a half hour away from downtown Winnipeg and The Forks. The best way to get to and from the airport is by taxi or sedan services. The cost to downtown is roughly $18 in a taxi or $32 in a sedan. The airport is also serviced by Winnipeg’s extensive public bus system but takes closer to an hour and requires at least one transfer to get to and from the hotel where we will be staying. The cost for a one-way fare is under $3. To get exact fares and find out the best bus route, visit: https://winnipegtransit.com/.
Customs and Currency
Since we will be traveling across international borders to get in to Canada, not only is a passport required, but you will also have to clear customs entering Canada and when returning to the United States. For more about what you can bring in to Canada and bring back in to the United States, visit this website: http://canada.usembassy.gov/traveling_to_canada/entering-canada.html. Because of customs and security clearance it is best to allow yourself more time at the airport – arriving 2 hours in advance of your flight is what is recommended for international travel.
Canada uses the Canadian Dollar rather than the American Dollar and they have different values. As of May 8 2014, 1 Canadian Dollar was equal 92 cents US. Please be aware that sales tax in Canada is high. Expect to add 13 percent to the bills of most everything that you buy. To buy goods and services in Winnipeg, you will have to exchange U.S. dollars for Canadian dollars or withdraw money from an ATM in Canada to pay with cash and you will most likely be charged a minimal conversion fee by your bank when using a debit or credit card (which are accepted most places that they are accepted in the United States). If you do not regularly travel outside of the United States, it is advisable to call your bank in advance so that they do not put a freeze on your card for fear of suspicious activity.
Hotel Information
We have set aside a block of rooms for our whole group at the Inn at the Forks on the national historic site of The Forks in downtown Winnipeg. Our opening reception and dinner on Monday, May 19 starting at 5pm will be held in the River Salon on the second floor of the hotel.
The Inn at the Forks
75 Forks Market Rd
Winnipeg, MB
Contact: 204.942.6555
http://www.innforks.com/
Meeting Space and Location
Our meetings on the morning of Tuesday, May 20 and the afternoon of Wednesday, May 21 will be held at the Manitoba Theatre for Young People, right next door to the hotel. It is a colorful contemporary building on an intersection diagonally across the street from the “Explore Manitoba” building.
The Manitoba Theatre for Young People
2 Forks Market Road
Winnipeg, MB
Contact: 204.947.0394
http://www.mtyp.ca/contact.cfm
The area of The Forks, where our hotel and meeting space are, is one of Winnipeg’s most popular tourist attractions with many parks, restaurants, museums and shops. Located at the junction of the Assiniboine and Red rivers, The Forks was originally a trading post for early Aboriginals and, later, European fur traders and riverboat workers, railway pioneers and other immigrants. It is not far from the downtown Winnipeg business district. You can find out more about The Forks at http://www.theforks.com/.
Site Visits and Bus Service
We will visit three locations on Tuesday afternoon starting shortly after 12 noon and returning to the hotel by 6 pm. We will also be spending Wednesday morning from 9 am until shortly after noon at yet another location (please see the agenda for more details). A bus will be provided for all visits. We will mostly be going to organization’s offices and meeting spaces, but we will also be visiting a grocery store and doing some short walking tours, so dress comfortably and wear shoes that are good for walking.
Expense Arrangements
Please note that as participants in the Learning/Action Lab you are responsible for your own hotel, transportation, and food costs. As part of the Lab, the sponsors will be providing certain meals (as specified on the Agenda) and paying for these. Other food costs are your responsibility.
Weather
Winnipeg has very harsh, cold and snowy winters and a late spring, with temperatures usually between 5 and 10 degrees colder than Northern U.S. cities such as Minneapolis, MN. Please be sure to check the weather in advance, but at the moment the forecast for our time there shows highs in the mid-50s to low-60s with lows in the 40s with some chance of precipitation. Be sure to bring layers and dress accordingly.
Transportation Information
Winnipeg has an extensive network of public buses, operated by Winnipeg Transit. Fares are generally under $3 to go anywhere within the city and free transfers are available. You can purchase a book of ten tickets for just over $20. Winnipeg Transit also offers a free downtown Spirit Shuttle bus that covers Portage Avenue, Broadway, and the Forks. You can find maps, hour, determine fares, and plan routes for both the bus system and the free shuttle at https://winnipegtransit.com/.
If you are looking for a taxi in Winnipeg, here are a few services:
Unicity Taxi Duffy’s Taxi
Dispatch: 204.925.3131 Dispatch: 204.325.0101
http://www.unicitytaxi.mb.ca/ http://www.duffystaxi.com/
Map
Link to Interactive Map: https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=z6iPBDzZy9E4.kYgW-DcteSz4
Please note: A Map of The Forks with a list of restaurants and sites is available for free at the front desk of the Inn at the Forks.