The Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres and Grand River Employment and Training

(0 – GI) OFIFC – GREAT Initiative

What is the OFIFC – GREAT Initiative ?

O – GI is part of the government of Canada’s Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy (AHRDS), Which is designed to help Aboriginal people prepare for, obtain and maintain employment.

Who administers the Initiative ?

The O – GI is a unique partnership between the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres (OFIFC) and Grand River Employment and Training (GREAT)

The OFIFC represents the collective interests of twenty-eight member Friendship Centres located in towns and cities located throughout the province of Ontario.

GREAT is community organization that delivers innovated and cultural-based employment and training programs and services to Six Nation members, wherever they may reside.

The partnership has been in place since 1999, when it was successful in a formal bid to administer employment services for urban Aboriginal people in Ontario.

Who delivers the Services ?

O – GI has a network of 12 Local Delivery Mechanisms  (LDMS) that administer program intervention dollars to O – GI’s 24 employment units.  These units are primarily located in Friendship Centres around the province.  The Bonnechere Algonquin Community in Petawawa is your local LDM.

Who is eligible for  O – GI ?

Although  O – GI provides basic services to everyone, only Aboriginal people who are not eligible for funding through other agreements can access  O – GI funding.             This includes:

·        Non-Status individuals who do not consider themselves Métis or who have no affiliation to a First Nation or Inuit Community.

·        Status Indian who have no connection to a band.

·        Status or Non-Status out of province Aboriginals.

Where funding is requested from individuals who are affiliated with First Nation, Métis or Inuit groups, O – GI refers these to appropriate agreement holders.

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O – GI  Staff

Maria Pelletier (Employment Referral Training Officer)