Aboriginal Peoples and the federal Public Service

As a Manager:

• What can you do to improve the representation of Aboriginal peoples within the federal Public Service?
• What do you need to know about Aboriginal peoples to ensure your workplace is welcoming to employees from diverse backgrounds?
• What tools and resources are available to help you recruit, retain and develop Aboriginal employees for a truly representative and inclusive federal Public Service?

Recruitment

Where do you start?

• Include an Aboriginal person on your Selection Boards and familiarize yourself with Chapter 5 of the PSC's Manager's Handbook on Staffing and Recruitment: http://www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/staf_dot/mgr-gestion/guide/chap5_e.htm
• Consult the inventories at the Public Service Commission of Canada and locate Aboriginal candidates who are interested in seeking employment with the federal Public Service.
• Learn about Aboriginal issues, liaise with Aboriginal community groups, organizations and businesses to enhance your outreach activities. Check out the Aboriginal Canada Portal: http://www.aboriginalcanada.gc.ca

Retention

What can you do?

• Check out "Building the Future", the web-based TBS search tool on employment equity positive practices within the federal Public Service. http://www.hrma-agrh.gc.ca/ee/index_e.asp
• Complement your orientation program for new employees with a special component for Aboriginal employees and be open to flexible work arrangements to accommodate and encourage balance between family and professional life.
• Establish an Aboriginal mentoring/coaching program and a buddy program for Aboriginal employees.
• Check with your departmental Employment Equity Coordinator to see if your department has an Aboriginal Employee Network or Committee to promote networking for your Aboriginal employees. For smaller departments, establish a network in partnership with other departments in your area.
• Encourage all team members to participate in Aboriginal programs and activities and to learn more about Aboriginal history, culture and traditions:

Circle of Nations Learning Centre at Natural Resources Canada - Ottawa, Ontario (613) 992-7323

Kumik at Indian and Northern Affairs Canada - Gatineau, Quebec (819) 953-2913

Iskotew Lodge at Health Canada - Ottawa, Ontario (613) 957-3216

Dodem Kanonhsa' at Indian and Northern Affairs Canada - Toronto, Ontario (416) 952-9272

Aboriginal Awareness Week: http://www.aaw-ssca.gc.ca

June 21: National Aboriginal Day: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/nad/index_e.html

Career Development

What else can you do?

• Ensure Aboriginal employees develop personal learning and career plans; for example, offer Aboriginal employees workshops on career counselling, resumé writing, and job interview techniques
• Encourage Aboriginal employees to take French or English language training for career mobility and advancement within the federal Public Service.
• Ensure Aboriginal employees have information on training opportunities such as the Career Assignment Program (CAP) and the Management Trainee Program (MTP): http://www.hrma-agrh.gc.ca/mtp-psg/index_e.asp 

Additional Resources

For more information:

• The Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative (AWPI) has shown that Aboriginal employment is a complex issue requiring flexible approaches: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ai/awpi/index_e.html
• Another source of information for all employees to learn more about Aboriginal ceremonies and traditions is: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ccaps/spirit_e.htm
• The Career Opportunity System (COS) is available to federal Public Service employees who are looking for assignments and to federal managers seeking candidates for assignments. http://www.jctc.gc.ca
• Check out the employment equity tools and resources on the Public Service Commission of Canada's Web site. http://www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/ee/tools_resources_e.htm
• To find other related Web sites that are community based, non-governmental or private, search the Internet and use key words such as: Aboriginal Employment; Aboriginal Career; Aboriginal Recruitment; or Aboriginal Retention.

Should you require more information about this publication, please contact the Employment Equity Branch, Public Service Human Resources Management Agency of Canada

Tel: (613) 952-6204 
Fax: (613) 952-2857
ee@hrma-agrh.gc.ca

http://publiservice.hrma-agrh.gc.ca/ee/index_e.asp

http://www.hrma-agrh.gc.ca/ee/index_e.asp