MOU galvanizes relationship with Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council

A partnership now nearly six years strong between the City of Brandon and the Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council has been galvanized and set on a course for long-term success following the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Aboriginal Economic Success between the two parties today.

The Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council (BUAPC) was established in December of 2010 by the Brandon City Council of the day to establish and foster an ongoing community conversation on matters of importance to Brandon’s Urban Aboriginal community. Since then, BUAPC’s diverse membership has brought community attention to the issues of aboriginal education, housing, healthy child development, economic development, employment, collaboration, and promoting a positive profile of Aboriginal people in the Brandon community.

Now, with a signed Memorandum of Understanding in place between the two parties, solid goals have been set to develop and implement an Aboriginal Economic Strategic Plan to improve Aboriginal education, labour market participation, and the availability of business initiatives; and to establish long- term collaborative actions to address existing education and employment gaps.

“In officially signing this Memorandum of Understanding, the City of Brandon is truly galvanizing its commitment to moving forward in a significant way issues of Aboriginal education, employment, and business inclusion,” Brandon Mayor Rick Chrest noted in celebrating the MOU. “To date, BUAPC’s work has been inspiring and driven. With this MOU now in place, I and City Council anticipate even greater things from our partner in Aboriginal economic success.”

“Signing this MOU marks a significant milestone for the Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council, as we commit to working collaboratively with our partners and citizens on keeping attention focused on important initiatives and supports for the Aboriginal community here in Brandon,” added Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council Aboriginal Community Coordinator Jason Gobeil. “This MOU now allows us to move forward positively, swiftly, and with official support from Brandon City Council and the City of Brandon.”

Gobeil noted that, as a number of community groups are represented within the composition of the Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council, a Commitment of Participation has also been signed by all BUAPC members to ensure their commitment to continue building on its successful initiatives to date.

The MOU between the two parties will remain in effect until May 31st, 2018, at which time it is anticipated it will be renewed. The finalized MOU document will be posted on the Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council website (www.buapc.ca) in the coming days.

[Release provided by the City of Brandon]

Signing

Above: signing partners of the MOU stand inside Brandon City Hall during the ceremony.

Below: [L to R (standing)] Jason Gobeil, Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council Aboriginal Community Coordinator; Brandon Mayor Rick Chrest

Signing

width=400pxAssiniboine Community College president Mark Frison was one of nine community partners that signed the MOU.