Aboriginal Canada Toolkit - User Guide
Contents
- Introduction
- Overview
- Using the Toolkit
- A Good Place to Start
- Keeping it all Together
- Criteria for Product Selection
- For Further Information
- Product Descriptions
This User Guide was created to explain the diverse components of the Aboriginal Canada Toolkit.
Reading the User Guide will help you to understand the rationale for creating and distributing this
kit to Missions.
The Aboriginal Canada Toolkit was developed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade (DFAIT) in collaboration with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). It is
the first specialized kit developed in the spirit of the Canada in a Suitcase Program, which was
developed in response to requests from Missions to provide a source of general information
products about Canada for public affairs initiatives at Missions.
The materials provided in the Aboriginal Canada Toolkit are general and intended to assist the
user to speak knowledgeably and present on various topics related to the Aboriginal Peoples in
Canada. As well, the materials serve as samples of products that may be of use for presentation
and/or distribution.
In the future, update packages of selected supplementary material may be sent out to be used in
addition to the tools currently provided.
Much like the experience of a Jack-in-the-Box, the user may be pleasantly surprised, or
unpleasantly startled, by the amount of materials encountered upon opening the Toolkit.
This section is designed to offer a bit of guidance in exploring the materials. It is suggested that
the user begin looking at some of the general overview materials and then progress to items on
specific topics, such as those found in the fact sheets.
- The Aboriginal Awareness Workshop Participant's Workbook
Who are the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada? This publication provides concise
explanations of the cultures, history, politics and contemporary issues related to
Aboriginal Peoples in Canada. The research and writing of the workbook were
undertaken by an Aboriginal contractor on behalf of INAC. Also included is an
essential glossary of terms.
- First Nations in Canada
Provides an excellent and concise historical overview of various topics and events
from Aboriginal pre-history to the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.
Chapter one provides descriptions of the six major cultural regions of First
Nations in Canada.
(out of print, but available online at the following address:)
http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/pub/fnc/index_e.html
http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/pub/fnc/index_f.html
- General Information on Aboriginal people/ Information générale sur les
Autochtones : CD-Rom produced by INAC.
Explore the slide show presentation on the CD-Rom. The information is current
and provides an overview of who the Aboriginal Peoples in Canada are, their
historical and contemporary relationships with the Government of Canada and
some of the contemporary challenges facing Aboriginal Peoples and the
Government of Canada.
In addition, click on the link to the fact sheet 'Frequently Asked Questions About
Aboriginal Peoples'
Please avoid the temptation to break up the kit. Contact information is provided in the
Product Description section of the User Guide. Additional copies of any of the materials
may be ordered from the address provided.
An intact kit, with an updated User Guide, will serve to orient new Public Affairs Officers
and other staff at Missions to the availability of the full range of public affairs support
materials offered through the Aboriginal Canada Toolkit.
The Toolkit may also be used as a promotional package in its entirety. Limited extra
copies are available from AGA.
The contents of the Aboriginal Canada Toolkit cover a variety of media, from print to CD-Rom. As
Missions have access to varying degrees of technology and resources, the materials in the Toolkit
are necessarily varied in format.
A further consideration is that the materials provided do not suppose any prior knowledge of
Aboriginal Peoples in Canada and are necessarily general to meet this expectation.
Where possible, all materials in the Toolkit were provided in English and French. If, at the time of
kit distribution, an item was not available in either of the languages, information on how to order
this item is provided.
The types of products selected for inclusion in the kits fall into one of three major categories:
- items suitable for mass handout to foreign publics;
- items suitable for presentation to selected individuals and/or organizations; and
- items included as reference materials or tools for public affairs officers to help them in the
planning and conduct of local initiatives.
Cost is a major consideration in deciding what to include in the Toolkit. The products come from a
variety of sources, including DFAIT, other federal government departments, private (commercial)
sources and custom products created specifically for the Program.
In addition to product descriptions of materials included in the Toolkit, the User Guide also
provides suggestions and recommendations for tools which could not be included, due to size,
weight and/or cost limitations.
We urge you to write to AGA in Ottawa with any comments, criticisms or suggestions regarding
the Aboriginal Canada Toolkit. Please feel free to contact us for further guidance in public affairs
initiatives using the Aboriginal Canada Toolkit.
The Aboriginal Canada Toolkit is managed by:
The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Aboriginal and Circumpolar Affairs Division (AGA)
Comments may be sent to:
Kim Hayden
Culture and Communications Officer
All items included in the Toolkit are described in this section. As part of the Aboriginal Canada
Toolkit, we may be adding new samples and updated product descriptions from time to time. We
welcome any suggestions regarding products to be considered for inclusion in the Aboriginal
Canada Toolkit.
Products are organized under the following categories:
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