Maamawi, minonakiiwin ga zhitoomin ji shkewziyaang wii Ogimaakangeying, nakeying enenjgewaat edbendaagzijig.

Promoting Self-Sufficiency Among Our Members
Serving our First Nation communities since 1990.

Provide direction, guidance and support to member First Nations Chiefs, Councils, staff and community members in community based business projects; Provide analysis of government (First Nation, federal and provincial) legislation, regulations and policies that affect OTC member First Nations.

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Program Guidelines

· Training Purchases
· Wage Subsidies
· Summer Student Employment
· Workshops for Youth
· Employment Counselling
· Self Employment Assistance
· Referrals to other Employment or Education Programs
· Career Decision Making
· Labour Market Information
· Resume Writing
· Job Finding Skills
· Apprenticeship Support
· On-the-job Training


 

Programs

Otter Program

Ogemawahj Tribal Training & Economic Resources

  • To assist OTC First Nation members who are long term unemployed, eligible for EI or on social assistance with in-school training, on-the-job training, work experience or a combination of both
  • To provide skills enhancement opportunities for OTC First Nation members
  • To provide Summer Employment Experience to OTC First Nation Secondary and Post Secondary students that have just completed a full academic program and will be entering another full academic program

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Application Forms

Please complete, print and bring the following forms to your first appointment.

Client Eligibility

To qualify for an ISETS program, a person must:

  • Be a member of an OTC First Nation
  • Resident in Ontario
  • Be unemployed, on social assistance or EI
  • Consideration will be given to clients who are underemployed and/or clients whose employment is at risk due to changes in the labour market, insufficient employment skills or certification.

Training Eligibility

  • Training to provide employable and/or transferable skills
  • Applicant will have a high probability of achieving employment when these skills are acquired
  • Training should lead to the Applicant’s self-sufficiency and career aspirations
  • To be eligible for training allowances, there must be the ability to monitor attendance and progress by OTTER staff

Eligible Training

  • Adult Basic Education/Upgrading is eligible. Upgrading to meet post secondary entrance requirements may be considered.
  • Industry Training (i.e. renewable training/short term tickets) may be considered on a one-time basis, provided other eligibility requirements are met
  • Apprenticeships (client must re-apply for each year of the apprenticeship)

Eligible Training Providers

  • Recognized and accredited training delivered by private, post-secondary and industry institutions
  • Delivery agents recognized by industry
  • Non-profit organization, business or unions may be eligible under each program’s specific criteria

Program Overview

  • Organizational Requests to Train Community Members
  • Individual Client Requests for In-Class and/or On-The-Job Work Experience · Training
  • Job Creation Program
  • Targeted Wage Subsidy Program
  • Youth at Risk Program
  • Youth Development Program
  • Summer Career Placement Program

Process To Apply

  • All applicants must complete the OTTER intake and assessment process
  • Applicants must complete a Participant Information Form (PIF) and 
  • Consent Form
  • Funding depends on budget availability
  • OTTER has an appeals process in place

Eligible Costs

  • Tuition and Books/Supplies
  • Living Allowances
  • Travel/Parking
  • Wages/MERC
  • Disability related supports
  • Upgrading
  • Other costs may be considered depending on program requirements

Department Contact

Andrea Edgar

Employment and Training Coordinator

[email protected]
Office: 705-329-2511 ext. 211

Andrea Edgar is a member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation.  Andrea has a two-year certificate in Business Administration/Accounting from Georgian College in Barrie. Additionally Andrea is a recent graduate of the  Public Administration and Governance through First Nations Technical Institute and Ryerson University.  

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Andrea’s career began after the completion of her certificate course at Georgian when she accepted an Office Manager position with a metal stamping company located in the former Industrial mall in Rama. She moved onto working for the Finance team at Casino Rama when it was still undergoing construction and not so long after was offered and accepted a position within the Governance offices at Rama. Andrea spent fifteen years working for the First Nation in the capacities of the Accounts Receivable Clerk, the Housing Loan Collateral Fund Officer and finally the Housing Officer providing a variety of property management services to community members.

During downtime Andrea likes to spend time researching travel of all sorts for clients of her home based travel business.

Andrea is the Employment and Training Coordinator with Ogemawahj Tribal Council. Her work includes providing OTTER program delivery services to the five OTC member First Nations carrying out duties as described in the ten year ESDC ISET Agreement.

Brandon Stiles

Employment Officer

Brandon is Anishinaabe (Ojibway) from the Chippewas of Georgina Island and Rama First Nations in South Central Ontario.

He has a background in employment services, environment management and Indigenous social development and has been working in Indigenous social services since 1998.

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He has been a successful manager, program coordinator, event planner and proposal writer and is a certified Career Development Practitioner, Essential Skills Practitioner and Job Club Coach.