Effective Tools and Best Practices in
Human Resource Management for Aboriginal Communities
Conference: September 9, 10, and 11 2008
Optional Workshops: September 12, 2008
Radisson Winnipeg Downtown · Winnipeg, Manitoba
Day Two - Developing Effective Employment Policies
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
| 8:00 - 9:00 |
Registration and Continental Breakfast |
8:00 - 8:30 |
9:00 - 9:15
Opening Remarks from the Chair
David Leroux, HR Manager, Kamloops Indian Band
9:15 - 10:15
Accessing Business Development Bank of Canada's Aboriginal Programs
Wendy MacNair, Aboriginal Banking Manager, Business Development Bank of Canada
- Internships and summer employment opportunities
- Peer lending as an economic development initiative to support Aboriginal business
- SOAR: BDC's Aboriginal youth and business magazine
- Diversity in the workplace: key advantages
- Advancement
| 10:15 - 10:30 |
Networking Break |
10:15 - 10:30 |
10:30 - 11:30
Developing Policies to Encourage Aboriginal Participation in Today's Workforce
Stephen Crocker, Manager Aboriginal Initiatives, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
- Creating employment diversity programs and policies to attract, employ, and retain Aboriginal workers
- Understanding the growing Aboriginal demographic and its contribution to Alberta's workforce
- NAIT's Aboriginal employment program: looking ahead
11:30 - 12:30
Developing, Drafting, and Updating Your Employment Policies
Mark Luke, Partner Aboriginal Services, Myers Norris Penney LLP
- Understanding the need for policy and the importance of keeping policy up to date
- Step-by-step strategy for developing and updating policies
- Employee engagement and feedback: how to involve your staff in policy development and the importance of doing so
- Conducting program reviews and needs analysis
| 12:30 - 1:30 |
Luncheon Break |
12:30 - 1:30 |
1:30 - 2:45
Critical Policy Issues in Human Resource Management
Mark Luke, Partner Aboriginal Services, Myers Norris Penney LLP
- Employment termination policies and best practices
- Implementing policies and ensuring that the policies are respected
- Balancing human rights issues and Band by-laws
- Employee safety issues and behaviour issues in the workplace
- Preparing proper documentation
- Aboriginal law issues
| 2:45 - 3:00 |
Networking Break |
2:45 - 3:00 |
3:00 - 4:00
Effective Compensation Planning and Benefits Administration
Diane Panting, Vice-President, Aon Consulting;
President, Human Resources Management Association of Manitoba
- Creating a compensation plan for the Aboriginal community
- Developing a consistent scale of wages
- Incentive compensation options that reward and encourage performance
- Insurance and disability benefits: an overview and explanation
- Salary surveys that work
- Retirement plan options: comparing group RRSP and defined benefit pensions
4:00 - 5:00
Capacity Building and Training for Aboriginal Communities
Sandy Kownak, Policy Analyst, Administration, Nunavut, Tunngavik Inc.
- Long-term career planning and capacity building
- Improving public speaking skills
- Finding individuals who have taken mentorship programs
- Managing diversity in the workplace and enriching organizational culture
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