Miziwe Biik

Please visit the Aboriginal Business Resource Centre, 167 Gerrard St. East, 2nd Floor. Call for more information: 416.591.2310 and ask for Kenn Ross.

Our logo is available in 3 colours and in both raster and vector file formats. miziwebiik_logos_raster.zip contains JPGs ranging in size from 800×728 to 300×273 DPI. miziwebiik_logos_vector.zip contains the vector format files such as EPS (Suitable for professional printing) and EMF clipart, which can be inserted into any MS Word or Corel WordPerfect document.

• Miziwebiik_logos_raster.zip
• Miziwebiik_logos_vector.zip

The full report is available as a PDF download. What follows is the Executive Summary:

This report details the research, findings and recommendations of a capacity building project for Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training. The goal of this project was to develop a plan that may guide the future direction of the organization.

The recommendations and implementation plan in this document were formed out of consultation and dialogue with Miziwe Biik staff and board, Miziwe Biik clients, Toronto Aboriginal organizations and community members and other key stakeholders in the city (i.e. employers). Consultants gathered this information through individual interviews, questionnaires, retreats and focus groups from September 2000 to June 2001. In total, (and not including Miziwe Biik staff and board) one hundred and sixty six people participated in the capacity building project research. This report is the synopsis of five previous reports which document the findings from each stage of the capacity building project.

In addition to providing feedback on ongoing Miziwe Biik business, research participants were asked to consider a number of proposed initiatives for Miziwe Biik, and to offer suggestions as to programming for specific groups.

In terms of client barriers to gaining and keeping employment, participants identified client needs related to poverty and life skills.

The main issues related to existing programs and services had to do with a lack of awareness/information on part of community about some programs. This was especially true of the newer programs such as the Partnership Development Advisor and the Aboriginal business network. Participants pointed out that project parameters, approval and evaluation criteria for community based projects are also unclear at times. More promotion and outreach on the part of Miziwe Biik is required.

The length of training programs came up, as did the need to develop standards and accreditation. Participants asked if there could be more follow-up with graduates, and if Miziwe Biik could develop a grievance procedure for trainees.

There were requests for more employment counsellors and for those with expertise in various areas such as youth and the arts.

Participants were enthusiastic about the purchase of a new building, agreeing that the current space is too small. They liked the idea of an Aboriginal entrepreneurs’ service centre, an Aboriginal Training Institute and a Personnel Agency.

There was strong support for specific programming for youth and students, artists, single parents and women and people with disabilities.

Recommendations related to all of these issues can be found on page 41.

The Miziwe Biik Internet Circle is a project funded by Industry Canada to assist communities in the area served by Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training establish public internet access sites. As a result, public sites have been established with eight aboriginal organizations in the Greater Toronto Area.

Check out the website here – http://www.mbcampus.ca/