2007

Accomplishments over the past year.

2006

EAGLE Urban Transition Centre institutes a Diabetes Awareness and Prevention Strategy

EAGLE Urban Transition Centre announces an upcoming Winnipeg Aboriginal Service Provider Forum

Winnipeg Police Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police opens a Justice Resource Centre within the EAGLE Urban Transition Centre

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2005

AMC opens EAGLE Urban Transition Centre to help First Nation people make the move

The quantity of First Nation/Aboriginal people that have seeked services and support from the staff has been an accomplishment. Statistically, during the past 2006-2007 year, over 600 people received service support. Out of the 600 plus, approximately 450 people were new clients with the remaining identified as previous clients or general inquiries. Approximately 90% have been First Nation clients, the remaining have been Metis, Inuit or Non-status.

Also, the new and on-going partnerships gained and maintained throughout the year, is viewed as an accomplishment of the EUTC organization.

Some of the partners include:

AMC/MTS/EUTC - to explore opportunities for the potential future development & implementation of various initiatives in Manitoba Telecom Services that would enhance the participation of First Nations people, communities and businesses in the economy of Manitoba.

AMC/MB Hydro/EUTC - to explore opportunities for the potential future development & implementation of various initiatives in Manitoba Hydro that would enhance the participation of First Nations people, communities and businesses in the economy of Manitoba.

AMC/IANE/EUTC - The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, The Inter-provincial Association on Native Employment Inc. and the EAGLE Urban Transition Centre agreed to meet and work towards removing attitudinal and institutional barriers which impeded Native peoples' equal opportunity for training and employment recognizing the importance of "local hiring clauses and agreements".

MUNHA/EUTC - in partnership to initiate discussion with other different levels of governments, Aboriginal social housing organizations, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal program and services delivery organizations, the private sector, and other stakeholders to be identified to develop a comprehensive housing strategy and to address housing issues for specific, and with respect to First Nations citizens, Métis citizens, Inuit people, and other Indigenous people.

One of the strategies discussed is a plan on utilizing the surplus housed situated at the Kapyong Barracks for short and long term housing. It was deemed that Kapyong Barracks can be utilized to alleviate the housing shortage that the City of Winnipeg is currently facing, identifying housing needs for Aboriginal people and to identify the strategies and initiatives to address those needs.

MHRC/EUTC - Manitoba Human Rights Commission and EAGLE UTC formulated an informal working partnership that would address equality, harassment and racial issues that First Nation/Aboriginal people face in society in general. As everyone has the right to equality of opportunity, individuals are sometimes denied equality when they are subjected to harassment because of a group which they belong.

MAET/EUTC - A partnership was formed between EAGLE UTC and Manitoba Advanced Education and Training to answer a growing need of educational and training issues in Aboriginal communities throughout Manitoba. After initial discussions about the need for Essential Skills and PLAR information and training for local first-point-of-contact advisors and counsellors in the fields of education and employment, the partnership became a Steering Committee involving professionals from various organizations including EAGLE Urban Transition Centre. Together, this committee created and implemented a vision and response called Igniting the Power Within.

EUTC/WPS/RCMP - The on-going partnership between the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Winnipeg Police Services, in conjunction with the EAGLE Urban Transition Centre, is deemed unique of it's kind across Canada. The EUTC's JRC will serve as the primary service delivery agent with the "Joint Police Services" providing community service for justice and legal issues for aboriginal people living in the city of Winnipeg. The Justice Resource Centre staffed by constables from both "police forces" allow urban First Nation/aboriginal people the opportunity to seek judicial or legal resource support in an environment that is conducive to a friendly-atmosphere setting.

In conclusion, with the on-going counselling, advocacy and referral support, the EUTC service delivery structure for transitional support has been an accomplishment in itself. With services being provided to over 600 First Nation/Aboriginal people and families over this past year, the staff has been very pleased to assist so many and will certainly continue to assist as many people as need be. It is our belief within our organization, as First Nation people, and as gifts of the Creator to world, we have an obligation as human beings to always provide support to those in need or to each other.

January 26, 2006

On January 17, 2006, the EAGLE Urban Transition Centre delivered it’s 1st Diabetes Awareness and Prevention Strategy Workshop.

As Aboriginal people are quite aware, diabetes in Aboriginal communities is at a critical level. To address and attempt to curtail diabetes among Aboriginal people, the EUTC will continue to deliver the workshops within the EUTC, as well as, other urban service provider locations as needed.
The objective of the DAP Strategy is to promote a culturally appropriate on-going program to address the high prevalence of diabetes and its complications among Aboriginal peoples by:

1. increasing awareness on the different types of diabetes, its risk factors, symptoms, prevention and treatment.
2. promoting the effective management of diabetes through healthy nutrition (Traditional Foods) and lifestyles.
3. providing and create a support group to enhance awareness and understanding of diabetes to Aboriginal persons with or who are affected by diabetes.

By promoting a health and prevention program about diabetes, EUTC’s counsellors will facilitate and alternate diabetes workshops on a monthly basis to groups of 5 or more participants/clients.
Our hope is by using an Aboriginal approach and culturally appropriate program we expect to enhance the knowledge and understanding about the different types, risks, prevention and treatment of diabetes among the Aboriginal peoples.

To find the next Diabetes Awareness and Prevention Strategy workshop, contact Darlene Letandre at 954-3050.

January 26, 2006

The Eagle Urban Transition Center is pleased to announce that they will be hosting the Winnipeg Aboriginal Service Provider Forum on Tuesday, February 28, 2006.

The Winnipeg Aboriginal Service Provider Forum will offer urban Aboriginal service providers with an opportunity to discuss program and service issues, housing, youth, education and health related issues. The conference will also focus on the types of Aboriginal services and programs that are currently in place within the city of Winnipeg for Aboriginal people.

More specifically, the objectives of the conference are:

1. to establish an information sharing forum to discuss the current urban First Nation/Aboriginal program and service delivery landscape;
2. to provide an opportunity to engage the participation of existing Aboriginal Service providers on the development of the EAGLE Urban Transition Centre;
3. to provide an opportunity for Urban First Nation/Aboriginal Service Providers to identify potential partnerships which will allow urban First Nation/Aboriginal groups to create their own success;
4. to identify areas requiring further action on the part of urban First Natioin groups, other levels of government in order to move forward on an Urban Aboriginal Strategy; and
5. to increase awareness of all urban Aboriginal programs and services currently being funded by federal, provincial and municipal governments.

The conference is expecting to have 150 participants from the many different Aboriginal organizations, urban service providers and the various levels of government.

For more information, contact the conference coordinator Mike Thomas at 954-3050.

January 26, 2006

The RCMP and the Winnipeg Police Service, in conjunction with the EAGLE Urban Transition Centre, understand the difficulties faced by aboriginal people in relocating to a large city such as Winnipeg.

In some instances, legal matters remain unresolved and make the relocation process all the more difficult.  Furthermore, aboriginal people in general have been very reluctant to seek advice from police services on legal matters. As a result, both “police services” have jointly created a Justice Resource Centre within the EAGLE Urban Transition Centre. The RCMP and the Winnipeg Police Service will assist in providing guidance and an understanding in ways of dealing with these unresolved matters within a neutral and comfortable environment.

The JRC will be staffed on location by one member from police services. The members are:

Constable Miles Chartrand - an 18 year member of the RCMP, also a band member from the Pine Creek First Nation.

Constable Edith Turner - a 12 year member of the Winnipeg Police Service, also a band member from the Grand Rapids First Nation.

Constable’s Chartrand and Turner, combined have a diverse background in various aspects of policing.  Also, they will provide a pro-active service, not only as a liaison for aboriginal people, but to provide services such as; victim services, crime prevention, drug and gang awareness, and the judicial process.

All information will remain strictly confidential.

If you require further information, or would like to utilize the service, please do not hesitate to contact either of us.  Constable Chartrand can be reached at 954-3062, and Constable Turner can be reached at 954-3064. 

December 15, 2005

In December 15, 2005

A Grand Opening was held for the newly created service organization, the EAGLE Urban Transition Centre, located at #501, 286 Smith Street.

As an arms-length organization of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, the primary purpose of the EUTC is to provide support for First Nation / Aboriginal individuals and families moving into the City of Winnipeg. There are many challenges that First Nation and Aboriginal people encounter in their transition to the urban environment, which can present a multitude of problems on arrival.The EAGLE Urban Transition Centre was created to address these problems and their affects on individuals and families.