June 21, 2005
WINNIPEG – IBM Canada Ltd. and the Province of Manitoba today announced important developments on several initiatives on the far-reaching agreement they announced last fall aimed at increasing the participation of Aboriginal people in Manitoba’s economy.
That agreement was part of a broader national program IBM Canada unveiled at that time to work closely with Aboriginal communities, increase opportunities for Aboriginal-owned businesses and ensure greater participation of Aboriginal peoples in the Canadian economy.
“We’re pleased that our partnership is beginning to deliver effective programs that will help to make a difference in our communities,” said Manitoba Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Oscar Lathlin. “This is a first step, and it is an excellent example of the benefits of government, business and the Aboriginal community working together.”
Today IBM and the Province of Manitoba announced:
IBM Canada will provide a K-12 Education Solution Grant valued at $64,000 for the Pembina Trails School Division in Winnipeg in partnership with the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre and Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth. The goal is to develop a hands-on science program that integrates mathematics and shares teaching and learning resources between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities.
IBM Canada will provide technology and program materials worth $30,000 for youth and adult programs, providing greater exposure to technology on the Sandy Bay, Fairford and War Lake First Nation communities in Manitoba. The objective is to create an environment that engages youth and other community members on a long-term basis. The environment will be managed by the White Buffalo Spiritual Society and Patel Vocational School and will run on an ongoing basis.
IBM will lead the development of an IT career booklet targeted to Aboriginal people that will give Aboriginal readers an appreciation of the type of work that is available in the information technology industry.
In order to increase the possibility that communities will foster the development of technology-focused communities, the province and IBM will explore ways to create and deliver IT sensitivity education and IT planning methodology to communities to help them broaden their community and business planning effectiveness to include information technology opportunities.
The province and IBM will also work with partners to explore ways to implement remote learning initiatives using advanced technology and IBM’s expertise in virtual classroom models and transformational consulting to transform the learning environment for Aboriginal people in remote communities and urban centres.
“IBM Canada’s intent is to make a real difference for Aboriginal people in Canada,” said John Longbottom, Market Development Executive, IBM Canada. “Today’s announcement with the Province of Manitoba is a great step in that direction.”
IBM Canada’s Aboriginal Program expands its involvement with Aboriginal communities. It has made over $1 million in donations of technology to K-12 and community organizations that are Aboriginal in nature, or that serve the Aboriginal community, since 2002.
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