Volume 12, Number 2, Winter 2022

EN:

This article relates lessons learned about Indigenous supplier engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores how the Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), and the National Indigenous Organization partnered to form a COVID-19 supplier taskforce to drive PPE and COVID-related service contracting opportunities to Indigenous suppliers to help businesses survive a prolonged economic shutdown. It was successful when both governments and organizations found a way to work together. Challenges included determining ways to support long-term working relationships and agreements, developing required tools and processes, and identifying contracting opportunities. This article describes the journey partners took under the leadership of Cando. Finally, the article concludes with actions taken by the taskforce to ensure that Indigenous suppliers have a place in Canada's economic recovery.

EN:

This research adds to the understanding, planning, and implementation of community health and wellness development in First Nation communities: transformative insights revealed through the Poverty Action Research Project. The article describes key learnings that respect different worlds and languages, thereby fostering and nurturing key relationships. Additional insights, related to community direction, cultural influences, and community-level descriptions of poverty are shared. As well, the local and often unique determinants of health and well-being, the role of external supports, the benefits of "bridging social capital", and the acknowledgment of community-based politics are highlighted. Six recommendations are made for policy change in support of distinctive poverty alleviation initiatives, acknowledging differing approaches to collaborative assessment, planning, and implementation.

EN:

The higher the level of education completed the higher the wage rates, the lower the rate of unemployment, and the higher the employment rates. Unemployment rates were significantly higher and participation and employment rates were significantly lower for Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals in Canada in 2020. This may be attributed to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. The rate of unemployment increased more for nonAboriginals than for Aboriginals in 2020. However, participation and employment rates decreased more for Aboriginals than for non-Aboriginals. Employment, unemployment, and participation rates are and historically have been more favourable for non-Aboriginals than for Aboriginals. As educational levels increase, employment measures and wage rates improve. Employment measures are examined by gender, age, province, and education, and for Métis, Inuit, and First Nations.