CAHRMA

Human Rights Defenders – Indigenous Youth Engagement Workshop

by Leave a Comment

Canadian Human Rights Commission

“Human Rights Defenders”
Indigenous Youth Engagement Workshop

Youth Workshop Agenda Download

Workshop Overview

CAHRMA - National Aboriginal InitiativeThe Canadian Human Rights Commission is partnering with the Canadian Aboriginal Human Resource Management Association to host an Indigenous Youth Engagement Workshop on the topic of human rights awareness.

The workshop aims to introduce around 60 young participants to human rights concepts and laws and to encourage them to become “Human Rights Defenders” in their daily lives and communities. The attendees will have the opportunity to pilot the “Human Rights Defenders” game and to take part in other interactive activities.

To begin, former National Chief Ovide Mercredi will welcome the young participants by talking to them about the meaning of leadership. After lunch, a very special guest speaker, Ms. Tasha Spillet, will talk to the young audience about her own experiences and the importance of standing up for your rights. This will be followed by remarks from CAHRMA’s representative, Diane Carriere, who will explain how good human resource practices help to protect human rights.

At the end of the day, during the closing circle, the workshop hosts from the Canadian Human Rights Commission will seek input about human rights challenges from a youth perspective.

Word from the National Aboriginal Initiative’s Director – Sherri Helgason

Sherri HelgasonI am very pleased to work with our colleagues at CAHRMA to host this workshop. I am looking forward to hearing from Indigenous youth as they help us to pilot the Human Rights Defenders game, and to listen to their perspective on human rights challenges and opportunities. Above all, I hope that we all learn from each other and enjoy the workshop.

Aboriginal Engagement

by 2 Comments

Aboriginal EngagementAboriginal Engagement in Human Resource Management

There’s a (relatively) new HR Association in Canada, the Canadian Aboriginal Human Resource Management Association (CAHRMA). It was formed three years ago and is aimed at Aboriginal peoples, but is not exclusive to them. The Association was formed because many Aboriginal communities did not have a good understanding of the human resource function and, in fact, many times did not have anyone designated to handle HR. The problem with that is they were getting themselves into trouble and there was a significant cost in time, effort and legal costs associated with their lack of knowledge. CAHRMA has stepped in to help them get their HR function established, set up policies and to provide training and education. This helps them catch up with the world around them and start to compete for employment possibilities. This is not an Aboriginal issue, it is a Canadian issue. In order for Canada to get stronger and compete on a global basis, we need our Aboriginal communities involved and engaged in our economy and helping to make Canada stronger.

Many of our Aboriginal communities are at a disadvantage right from the start due to the geographic location of their communities. If there are no major centers or significant sources of employment close by, it makes it very difficult for them to build and sustain any significant level of employment within their community. The generally accepted rule of thumb for starting up a new business is location, location, location. But the Aboriginal communities are not in a position to relocate. The world of the internet has opened up some possibilities for these communities because a web based business does not have to be close by. CAHRMA has recognized this and is helping communities to reach out through the web and send resumes as well as check job opportunities in other locales. CAHRMA is also helping the communities to set up strong HR practices that support and strengthen the business process to increase both the employment and success of the community.

There are many success stories but we need more. Many of the people who helped found CAHRMA are not Aboriginal. They are senior HR professionals who understand how necessary it is to engage our Aboriginal neighbours and assist them in becoming active, successful partners in a strong and growing Canada. If you want to know more, check out www.cahrma.ca. Better yet, why not get involved in building this segment of our society and get engaged in building a solution.

R. David Wynne, MBA, CHRP, IPMA-CP

AMC Endorsement

by Leave a Comment

AMC Endorsement via 2012 Resolution

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, recognizing the importance and necessity of sound Human Resource Management principles and practices being implemented in First Nation communities, passed a resolution in 2012 endorsing CAHRMA. Below is the text of the AMA’s endorsement.

Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Annual General Assembly
Swan Lake First Nation
Headingley Property – Outdoors
June 19. 20, 21, 2012

Certified Resolution

RE: Support for Canadian Aboriginal Human Resource Management Association (CAHRMA)

WHEREAS, First nation governance requires the development of a strong and stable workforce. Human Resource Management provides the required human resources to effect the strategies and management practices that will enable sustainable success of First Nation governments;

WHEREAS, Human Resource Management is the organizational function that deals with issues related to people such as compensation, hiring, performance, management, organization development, safety, wellness, benefits, employee motivation, communication, administration, and training;

WHEREAS, the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) funding arrangements require effective First Nation Human Resource operating policies and procedures;

WHEREAS, most First Nation communities have little or no effective Human Resource operating policies and procedures;

WHEREAS, currently there is no First Nation Human Resource organization that creates effective Human Resource tools designed to compliment and support the economic development and enhancement of business strategies that will assist First Nation communities in becoming self-sufficient in the global economy; and

WHEREAS, the Canadian Aboriginal Human Resource Management Association (CAHRMA) is a First Nation led organization that provides specialized, community-focused association that empowers First Nation people to enhance their human resource strategies and management practices.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Chiefs-in-Assembly support and promote First Nation led initiatives that will strengthen and unite First Nation governance.

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, that the Chiefs-in-Assembly support the CAHRMA in its development and efforts to enable leaders and human resource practitioners to enhance and empower their communities with the knowledge that will assist in the enhancement of their business acumen and value-added services to their their organizations and communities.

A copy of the resolution can be downloaded here.

Assembly of First Nations Support

by Leave a Comment

Assembly of First Nations

The following resolution in support of the Canadian Aboriginal Human Resource Management Association (CAHRMA), was adopted by the Assembly of First Nations on the 19th day of July, 2012 in Toronto, Ontario.

ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JULY 17, 18 & 19, 2012, TORONTO, ON   Resolution no. 15/2012

TITLE: Support for exploring a proposed Canadian Aboriginal Human Resource Management Association (CAHRMA)

SUBJECT: Governance, Human Resources & Skills Development

MOVED BY: Chief Dennis Cameron, Tootinaowaziibeeng First Nation, MB

SECONDED BY: Chief Eli Mandamin, Shoal Lake First Nation, MB

DECISION: Carried by consensus as part of an Omnibus Motion, Moved by Chief Maureen Chapman, Skawahlook First Nation BC & Seconded by Chief Marcel Head, Shoal Lake First Nation, SK

WHEREAS:

A. First Nation governance requires the development of a strong and stable workforce. Human resource management provides the required human resources to effect the strategies and management practices that will enable sustainable success of First Nation Governments.

B. The Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) funding arrangements require effective First Nations Human Resource operating policies and procedures.

C. Currently it is unclear how support for First Nations is acquired to assist in creating effective tools that deal with organizational staffing issues such as compensation, hiring, performance management, organization development, safety, wellness, benefits, employee motivation, communication, administration, and staff training.

D. The Canadian Aboriginal Human Resource Management Association (CAHRMA) is a proposed First Nation-led organization that would be a specialized, community-focused national association to empower First Nation people towards enhancing their human resource strategies and management practices.

E. Human Resource Management is the organizational function that compliments and supports the economic development and enhancement of business strategies that will assist First Nation communities in becoming self-sufficient in the global economy.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Chiefs-in-Assembly:

1. Support and promote First Nation-led initiatives that will strengthen and unite First Nation governance, and efforts to enable leaders and Human Resource Practitioners to enhance and empower their communities with the knowledge that will assist in the enhancement of their business acumen and value-added services to their organizations and communities.

2. Recommend that the Canadian Aboriginal Human Resource Management Association (CAHRMA) provide a business plan and background information to First Nation leaders, communities and regional technical support.

3. Recommend that CAHRMA representatives meet with the First Nation Technical Working Group on Human Resources Development and the respective First Nation networks to discuss this initiative and report to the Chiefs-in-Assembly on recommended services and next steps.

Resolution adopted on the 19th day of July, 2012 in Toronto, Ontario

SHAWN A-IN-CHUT ATLEO, NATIONAL CHIEF

CAHRMA is…

Vision Our vision is to be a driving force to build better work environments for the Aboriginal communities to facilitate profitable and sustainable companies and offer a source – the association, to Aboriginal peoples across Canada, providing HR practitioners with similar … Read More

History of CAHRMA

A History of CAHRMA in Canada The creation of CAHRMA started back in the mid 1990’s when Diane Carriere was recognized for her work with Aboriginal engagement within corporations. She was asked to create an Aboriginal Initiative within the Human Resource Management Association … Read More

Follow us…

Membership

Explore Membership Options