The University of Western Ontario, along with The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), are hosting the third Aboriginal Policy Research Conference (APRC) in Ottawa this week.
“This Conference provides a valuable forum to showcase the latest research findings of leading experts on Aboriginal issues,” says the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians.
“The federal government is proud to support gatherings like this, so that the knowledge generated by the experts is shared, discussed and ultimately translated into effective policies that improve the quality of life of Aboriginal peoples.”
The week-long conference will bring together Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal researchers and policy makers from Canada and abroad, showcasing the wide range of high-quality research that has recently been conducted on Aboriginal issues in order to inform evidence-based policy making.
Western’s Senior Media Relations Officer, Jeff Renaud, will be in Ottawa for the week and will be blogging each day from the conference.
“The Aboriginal Policy and Research Conference will ensure that evidence-based research is available to drive effective and appropriate policy, program and legislative processes,” says Western Professor Jerry White. “As a Co-Chair of the Conference, I am particularly honoured to be a part of such a significant event. We are confident that this research will contribute to the betterment of Aboriginal people’s lives, worldwide.”
The main body of the conference will include over 130 workshops with over 250 researchers. Some workshop themes include:
• Building a First Nations Economy: Land into Trust Mechanisms
• Approaches to Aboriginal Economic Development: An International Comparison
• Issues in Corrections and Justice
• Indian Residential School Settlement and Healing
• Improving Education Outcomes: Culturally Aware Curriculum
• Urban Aboriginal Relations and Program Development Issues
“This conference comes at a critical time for Canada and for Aboriginal peoples. In an era of economic uncertainty, it is imperative that policy design and program implementation is done in a manner that truly reflects the needs and realities of the intended beneficiaries of such processes,” says NAFC Executive Director and APRC Co-Chair Peter Dinsdale.
For more information, visit the APRC to find a detailed program and schedule.