For Employers Who Ask:

• Why should we hire Aboriginal peoples?
• How can my company achieve success in Aboriginal employment?
• What is Aboriginal awareness and how does it help establish relationships?
• Where can we find people and resources to help us succeed?

Here Are Some Answers

The AWPI Employer Toolkit

  The AWPI Employer Toolkit is designed to help you:

• Become more knowledgeable about Aboriginal employment issues;
• Find models, tools and resources to enhance your skills as an employer of Aboriginal peoples;
• Get in touch with people and organizations who can help you make a difference in Aboriginal workforce participation.

  The Toolkit depicts national and regionally-specific information to address the demographic and economic diversity of Aboriginal peoples across Canada.

The AWPI Employer Toolkit is designed for our partners:

• small, medium-sized and large employers;
• senior executives;
• line managers;
• human resource professionals; and
• Aboriginal organizations, educational institutions, etc.

  AWPI's mandate is to increase the participation of Aboriginal peoples in the labour market. Our work is based on the principles of partnership-between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples-and is founded on mutual respect, innovation and the pursuit of excellence.

  Outlined below are four common questions that many employers ask about Aboriginal employment. Several key issues have been identified along with the types of solutions that can be found in the toolkit.

Employers who ask: "How can my company achieve success in Aboriginal employment?" Should know that: Increasing Aboriginal workforce participation takes commitment, planning and effort Senior management plays a fundamental role in this process Taking action in Aboriginal employment practices (policies, procedures, programs, partnership agreements and communications) leads to profitable results Leading employers in Canada are successful and can help your company do the same And Use the AWPI Employer Toolkit to: Benefit from checklists of ideas on how to get started and how to develop a "best practice" approach Hear from leading executives in Canada on their role in Aboriginal employment Understand the challenges to Aboriginal recruitment, retention and advancement-and find ways to overcome them Learn from steps that leading employers in Canada take to increase Aboriginal workforce participation

Employers who ask: "What is Aboriginal awareness and how does it help establish relationships?" Should know that: The Aboriginal population is very diverse in terms of history, culture and location; it is unique and has a lot to offer Effective relationships must be founded on mutual understanding and respect And use the AWPI Employer Toolkit to: Access tools-glossaries, milestones in Aboriginal history, maps-to help build Aboriginal awareness within your company Get pointers on how to establish relationships with Aboriginal communities

Employers who ask: "Where can we find people and resources to help us succeed?" Should know that: Resources are available across the country-ask the AWPI Regional Coordinator in your area Web sites, libraries and other resources will help with Aboriginal employment And use the AWPI Employer Toolkit to: Find contact lists on Aboriginal organizations, recruitment services, sources of Aboriginal awareness training and programs geared to Aboriginal employment Access lists of resource materials-through the Internet and in off-the-shelf format-to increase awareness and understanding of Aboriginal employment

The AWPI Employer Toolkit is available from your AWPI Regional Coordinator.