Environment & Diversity Project Intern Training Workshops in Full Swing

The Environment & Diversity Project internship program is in full swing, with six interns working in each of our six collaborative member (partner) organizations, workplans in place and a training schedule organized. We've placed these passionate and bright young professionals into each of the partner environmental NGOs to work with under represented communities and help them focus on reaching new audiences; at the same time, the interns benefit from capacity building activities led by Sustainability Network such as a customized professional development training program and networking opportunities with sector leaders. In addition, project leads in each of the six collaborative member organizations provide mentorship and guidance to our new young team.

So far our training program has included some great workshops specifically tailored project goals and to the interns' needs. In February we held a full-day orientation and team-building event with interns and their supervisors; in April we had our first project check-in and a social media training session with Cassie Barker; and just today interns participated in a facilitation workshop led by Nidhi Tandon and Kathleen Padulo. Next month we'll be hosting a First Nations Awareness training workshop with Kathleen and the second workshop on social media with Cassie. A summer workshop is also in the works, and will focus on anti-racism.

And don't worry - we haven't forgotten about workshops for our network! Last year we held two board diversity training sessions and and ethnic media and communications workshop, and in January we held a First Nations Awareness workshop - click on the links to find some valuable resources!

Plans are in the works for a new workshop series this fall - stay tuned!

Reports Highlight Unique Challenges, Experiences and Perspectives of Aboriginal Peoples in Canada

Two reports about Aboriginal peoples in Canada recently came across my desk that I'd like to recommend to our network:

Aboriginal Communities in Profile: Ontario

This is a report from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) that provides in-depth analysis of the demographic trends of Aboriginal communities in Ontario. For highlights, check out OTF's press release; and click here for the full report.

Urban Aboriginal Peoples Study

Published by Environics Institute and also supported by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, this study is a departure from a reporting of the "facts" and instead focuses on the "values, experiences, identities and aspirations of urban Aboriginal peoples." Read the report and visit the project website if you want to learn more about and understand the experiences and perspectives of Aboriginal peoples living in urban centres.

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Looking for more resources? Access facilitator presentations, handouts and web links by checking out Sustainability Network's First Nations Awareness Workshop held this past January.

Do you have resources to share? Post a comment and include a link!