While more than 1,000 paddlers take to the waters for Qatuwas 2014, the People Gathering Together Festival, 15 people are getting work experience preparing for the cultural event, thanks to B.C. Job Creation Partnership funding.

The Heiltsuk Tribal Council has received $81,000 in provincial funding to give community members work experience, which will benefit the community before, during and after the cultural celebration. The Qatuwas 2014 festival takes place from July 13-19, 2014.

Partnership participants are building bleachers, kiosks and signage, harvesting and preparing traditional First Nations cuisine and making traditional ceremonial gifts in preparation for the festival. During the festival, approximately 5,000 visitors will be welcomed to the community, many of whom will arrive by water. More than 100 ocean-going canoes from north and south coastal First Nations will undertake Tribal Journeys to Bella Bella for the festival that celebrates canoe culture of Coastal First Nations.

Job Creation Partnerships are a component of the Employment Program of BC’s Community and Employer Partnerships fund for projects that increase employability and sharing labour market information throughout the province. Projects that provide opportunities for people who are often disadvantaged in the workforce, such as Aboriginal people, people with disabilities and youth, are encouraged.

To date, more than 340 job seekers have benefited from work experience and approximately 100 projects have been funded.

Quotes:

Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation Don McRae -

“This partnership with the Heiltsuk Tribal Council gets 15 people some terrific work experience, benefits a community and celebrates Aboriginal culture all at the same time. Tribal Journeys is really something we can all celebrate, providing opportunities for people who are often disadvantaged in the workforce.”

Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation John Rustad -

“As a government, we’re committed to helping Aboriginal people get the skills and training they need to secure jobs in the future. The Qatuwas ‘People Gathering Together' Festival partnership is great for the community, great for the workers and great for B.C.”

Heiltsuk member and project manager Kathy Brown -

“The agreement between the ministry and the Heiltsuk Tribal Council opens the door for those unemployed and lacking skills to gain new skills by preparing for a large event being hosted in Bella Bella, Tribal Journeys. It is good when organizations and groups come together to support one another to allow for growth and opportunity.”

Participant Myrna Jackson -

"This was an amazing opportunity which I could not pass up. I am honoured and proud to work with the Qatuwas 2014 Tribal Journeys group to help create a historic legacy for our people.”

Quick Facts:

• In 2014/15, the ministry has committed to investing $331 million in employment and labour market programs under the Employment Program of BC.
• The Employment Program of BC is funded by the Province of British Columbia as well as the Government of Canada through the Labour Market Development Agreement.
• The Community and Employer Partnerships program is featured in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint that helps align training and education with in-demand jobs and provides more support to people who are struggling to gain a foothold in the job market or who face unique challenges.
• Funding supports 85 WorkBC Employment Services Centres throughout the province and the four components of the Community and Employer Partnerships fund:
  • Job Creation Partnerships
  • Labour Market Partnerships
  • Project-Based Labour Market Training
  • Research and Innovation

Who is eligible?

• Businesses
• Non-Profit Organizations
• Municipalities, Agencies or Territorial Governments
• Bands/tribal councils
• Public Health and Educational Institutions

Learn More:

For more information on Community and Employer Partnerships: www.workbc.ca/CEP

Find a local WorkBC Employment Services Centre: www.workbccentres.ca

Learn more about the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation: www.gov.bc.ca/sdsi

For photos of participants in action: http://ow.ly/z4j6Y, http://ow.ly/z4kJn

Media Contacts:

Grant Kerr
Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation
250 387-5635