PSAC-NCR-Aboriginal Action Circle
Minutes from the Action Circle of Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Regular Meeting

In attendance: Rena-Maria Young, Shirley Tolley, Marie-Louise Larocque, Tony Nicolas, Les Maiczan, Joe Perrier, Albert Dumont (Elder)

Regrets:John Sullivan, Ed Cashman

1. Tony called the circle to order at 5:35 p.m.

2. The Circle welcomed Special Guest, Algonquin Elder Albert Dumont of Kitigan Zibi First Nation, Quebec.

3. Albert opened our meeting with a prayer.

4. Round-Table Introductions

5. Agenda item # 1

- Election of New Chair
Motion by Rena-Maria for Tony as Chair, seconded by Joe

All were in favour of this motion. Unanimously carried.  
Note:  Rena-Maria will be attending the PSAC NCR Council Meeting this Saturday January 27, 2006 as AAC Rep to the NCRC.

6. Agenda item # 2

- Budget 2007
Regional funds of $3,000 and addition funds of $1,500 for a total of $4,500
Motion to have any surplus funds from 2006 to be floated to 2007 outreach, which includes Odawa Pow Wow.
Motion by Tony and seconded by Les.
All were in favour of this motion. Unanimously carried.  

  7. Agenda item # 3

- Health and Safety
Tony briefed the Circle on his planned attendance at the PSAC National Health and Safety Conference, to be held in Ottawa, on Feb. 19-21

Points of discussion were:

• Health and Safety awareness, recruitment and raising interest in becoming involved amongst all PSAC members.
• Aboriginal Health and links to H&S.
• 13 resolutions were voted on at the conference
• Some speakers at the conference were very well spoken on an academic level, but not hands on at operational level.

8. Agenda item # 4

- Training and Learning Development
Tony and Les encouraged the Circle to take training and to encourage other Circle members as well. The new PSAC Education schedules were passed out and the following training was discussed:

• Local Officer Advance Training course
• Alliance Facilitator training
• Union Development Program, the French course starting in 3 weeks in 1 week sessions.
• Aboriginal Union Developmental Course, to be sponsored by NAIM. The Circle discussed the failure of the first try to give this course which was to have taken place last year.

Through this discussion the circle members reached the following plan of action to have this training succeed:

• The Aboriginal Development Course is a 2 day workshop course and would be offered in Maniwaki at the Chateau Loge on the last week-end of April or on one of the first 2 week-ends in May. The choice of dates will be made after canvassing of AAC members.
• AAC members estimated in attending workshop are 25 attendees, 3 facilitators, and Elder Albert Dumont.
• A bus will pick up members registered for the course at 233 Gilmour on the Thursday or Friday evening and return on Sunday after lunch to 233 Gilmour.
• Shirley will call the Chateau Loge in Maniwaki for availability, cost, etc.
• Tony will gather together all AAC membership lists including the Dec. 20 Annual Gathering attendees list and divide the lists to all AAC members in attendance at this evenings meeting.
• Each Circle member receiving their list will call each person on the list and ask if they would be interested in attending the workshop, giving a brief description, were it will be held, week-end dates of last week-end in April, or one of first 2 week-ends in May, and answer any questions or concerns.
• All reporting back to Tony by Feb.7, 2007

9. Agenda item #5

- AAC Recruitment, Recruitment lists, Allies and Allies lists
Tony spoke to the Circle of the work he was doing and how he was going about compiling a list of NCR PSAC Aboriginal members and plans on recruiting them.

10. Agenda item #6 - Other

• Odawa Pow Wow May 2007 - AAC Kiosk. Albert was consulted and asked for his guidance if this would be respectful for us to do? Albert thought this would be acceptable to have a Kiosk.
• A discussion on having an Aboriginal Hospitality Room at the National Bargaining Conference to be held in Ottawa.

10. Agenda item #6

- Terms of Reference
Tony would like to have discussion at the next meeting.

Motion to adjourned by Marie-Louise and seconded by Rena-Maria. Adjourned at 7:30.

Next meeting is Wed. Feb. 28, 2007