It is the objective of the Social Development program within WRTC to provide technical advice and support for the general and consistent application of the policies and procedures in the administration of the On-Reserve income Assistance Program in the WRTC Member First Nations such as;

• Acting as an advocate for the First Nations with respect to adequate and proper reimbursement of expenditures incurred within the IA program
• Recommending various alternatives to program delivery of the Income Assistance program
• Attending to any requests in regards to the IA Program by scheduling a visit/meeting or by email & telephone communication with the IA Administrator and Assistant
• Clarifying and directing any questions in regards to the Income Assistance Policy and Procedure Guide to the appropriate department at ISC if required
• Continuing to meet with the Income Assistance Administrators on a quarterly basis
• Requirements of advice and assistance to member First Nations income Assistance Administrators and Staff on any topics pertaining to the Income Assistance Program
• Help to develop a networking system between the Member First Nations that will be beneficial in the area of developing capacity
• Networking/Communication between the Income Assistance Program and the different programs such as Housing, Education and Employment & Training within the First Nations that will be beneficial in the area of developing communication skills amongst each other;
• Ensuring each First Nation Income Assistance Administrator and the Leadership understand and are updated on the Capacity Building Exercise process also known as a File Review;
• Ensuring all proper documentation in IA clients and their dependents file is provided by reviewing with IA Administrator/Assistant
• Provide and ensure that funding is limited to eligible expenditures and that program management is operating effectively for the benefit of the clients
• Participate in training when provided with the IA Software Systems to which the First Nation is using to create or update revised polices in Policy and Procedures Guide to better serve the First Nations Income Assistance Software program.
• Develop, promote and utilize the Wage Subsidy Program, formerly known as WOP and ASARET when the opportunities are available within the First Nation
• Provide any information on proposals pertaining to developing employability skills for Income Assistance clients
• Provide brief reports/information to the First Nation Leadership when requested in regards to the On-Reserve income Assistance Program
• Seek out and inquiry information such as training/workshops in regards to the development of any skills that is needed for the IA Administrator to better deliver the OnReserve IA program.
  Provide to Administrators and Assistants the support and resources to ensure their mental health is good and does not compromise their ability to administer the IA program

Social Development Advisors Technical Group (SDATG}

The Social Development Advisors Technical Group is the coordinating body, representing the seven Manitoba Tribal Councils, three political organizations (AMC, MKO and SCO), and the Independent First Nations of Manitoba, that work in partnership with the government and other organizations to spearhead the goal of First Nations self-sufficiency in social development.

We meet bi-monthly for two days to identify and address issues and promote involvements in program and service delivery on behalf of their member First Nations Income Assistance Administrators. The 2nd day of the SDATG/Bi-Lateral meeting, we meet with ISC Social Development Operations Specialists and other ISC staff to discuss any issues/concerns or any updates needed to be provided on the SDATG level to Income Assistance Administrators which might include reporting requirements, income assistance report updates or any other updated information pertaining to the Income Assistance Program.

Currently as SDATG Southern Chair, the WRTC Social Development Advisor is responsible for;

• Preparation of a detailed order of business and agenda for each meeting.
• Send official meeting notification to members 2 weeks in advance by email.
• Open meetings on time as designated.
• Conduct the meeting;
• Know the rules of correct procedure and use them skillfully.
• Conduct business in a manner that ensures the right of every member.
• Presides at SDATG/ISC meetings by:

Welcome members and introductions.
Keeping to the agenda.
Being aware of and informed of all topics to be discussed.
Keeping the conversation focused.
Motivating and encouraging other members to participate.
When debates occur, ensure important points are summarized.

• Act as liaison between the SDATG/ISC and other organizations and all government departments as required.

Circuit Rider Training Program (CRTP)

Background:
West Region Tribal Council (WRTC) has been the Circuit Rider Training Program Service Provider {CRTSP) for the First Nation Water & Wastewater CRTP since 1996/1997.

In 2007 WRTC established a partnership agreement with Indigenous Services Canada {ISC). With the support from ISC, WRTC created the First Nation Water & Wastewater Instruction Program (FNWWIP}, which amalgamated water and wastewater CRTP services and Circuit Rider Oversight Program ( CROP) for ISC and First Nations. The 2007 amalgamation of the CRTP and CROP allowed WRTC to bring together additional water and wastewater services under the umbrella of one management system. As a result of this transformation, we were able to provide a smooth integration of water and wastewater services across the Manitoba Region.

Strategic Plans:
The WRTC in partnership with ISC have ongoing proposed training plans with achievable targets of longterm goals to have certified water and wastewater professionals operating First Nation water treatment, wastewater treatment, water distribution, and wastewater collection systems.

FNWWIP
The WRTC-FNWWIP use Red River College Diagnostic Evaluations (retention exams) to determine the operators' strengths and weakness so that the Circuit Rider Trainers ( CRT's) can work towards addressing and improving any operator's skill levels and training needs.

Program Management
WRTC-FNWWIP Program Manager Ernie Blackbird.

I wantto take this opportunity to introduce myself as The FNWWIP Program Manager. I am a Proud First Nation Member of the Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation. I am excited and looking forward to providing management services for the West Region Tribal Councils First Nation Water and Wastewater Instruction Program.

In 1976 when Indian and Northern Affairs Canada dismantled local area offices and First Nations in Manitoba formed Tribal Councils as they are known today. The new Tribal Councils then started the process of administering these program advisory services. One of the program services provided by West Region Tribal Council {WRTC)- is the policy and governance advisory service.

This program provides advice and assistance for WRTC First Nations in the following areas:

• Development of band custom election and citizenship codes
• First Nation local by-laws to address issues affecting the First Nation
• Membership and residency codes
• Interpretation of Treaty agreements and Indian Act policies
• Provide advice on other WRTC programs
• Interpret Indigenous Services Canada {ISC) agreements
• Provide assistance for WRTC member First Nations on the program funding available through ISC.
• Help facilitate WRTC community workshops and public meetings

Contact WRTC office for more information @

Office 204- 622-9450

Fax 204-638-8062

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The education advisory services will continue to work in an advisory capacity to advocate and support to enhance the education initiatives to our eight First Nation member communities. Todate each of the communities has utilized various approaches in developing their own education systems. Some are practicing local control, while others have chosen to maintain partnerships with provincial school divisions in our WRTC area. (Mountain View School Division, Frontier School Division, Manitoba First Nation Resource Centre).

However; all have the continuing need for professional education services including policy guidelines, training, networking, partnerships, student visits, student orientations, secondments, and for advice in the various areas of educational programs.

As well, the West Region Tribal Council Education Advisory Services will continue to support the goals and mandate of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Education Directorate to help strengthen its objectives, goals and efforts for the benefit of our eight First Nation(s) communities within the Province of Manitoba.

On behalf of WRTC advisory services we look forward to our future generations for further enhancement and advancement of our education programs to-date.

"Education is a nation building tool, culturally we are strong-Lets work together in strengthening our nation"

Fire Safety program consist of providing Public Education and Fire Safety Awareness, to all West Region Tribal Council Community Membership. The program is also flexible in providing and assisting Fire Training Basics, Ground Search and Rescue Practices and other Fire/Emergency related programs Provide support in creating and updating Emergency Management Plans for WR TC Communities. The Fire Safety program also assists community Fire Chiefs in updating risk assessments, fire department inventory, Fire related proposals and best fire training practice to support community fire programs.

If you should have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact me at either email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone at: 1-204-448-2700.

Thank You, Darcy C. Houle Fire Services Officer West Region Tribal Council Inc.

Established in 1979 by the duly elected Chiefs of (8) First Nation Communities; Ebb & Flow, Gambler, Keeseekoowenin, O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi, Pine Creek, Rolling River, Skownan, and Tootinaowaziibeeng.

Purpose is provide technical advisory and inspection services to develop healthy, safe and sustainable housing utilizing best practices and building code standards in the areas of construction, renovations, administration and management.

Services are provided based on Housing Councillors, Housing Managers and Administrators requests for advisory or inspection services.

Itinerary is sent to each community monthly for community representatives to review and confirm meetings to conduct housing business.

Funding is provided by Indigenous Services Canada and requires workplans and an Annual Report of housing activity and outcomes.

Established mandate via resolutions at the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in Assembly on June 03, 2018. WRTC secured the services of a Tribal Housing Advisor in August of 2018. The area serviced is Ebb & Flow, Gambler, Keeseekoowenin, O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi, Pine Creek, Rolling River, Skownan, and Tootinaowaziibeeng.

Purpose is to support the First Nations to enhance capacity and existing governance structures through a phase approach to Housing Capacity Enhancement to Strategic Planning. The THAs support the community with processes and information for the best practices in areas of; Contracting, Inspections, Ministerial Loan Guarantee toolkits and Project Management. THAS also represent the WRTC in planning sessions with the MIHCEMI Working Group network development.

Services are provided on requests from Housing; Councillors, Managers and Administrators for assistance and advisory services.

An itinerary is sent to each community monthly for Housing staff to review and schedule dates to meet and conduct MIHCEMI business.

Funding is provided by Indigenous Services Canada and requires Annual workplans and Reporting of Housing activities and results.

West Region Tribal Council Inc. (WRTC) was established in July 1979 and is incorporated as a non-profit organization.

The West Region Tribal Council Inc. (WRTC) is accountable to approximately 6,000 First Nation members under the leadership of eight (8) First Nations with the mandate to facilitate in the transfer of local control and responsibility of programs and services to member First Nations. Advisory and technical expertise is provided in all areas of band program management and accountability to ensure effective local control is achieved.

We provide the following advisory services to Eight (8) First Nations in Manitoba:

• Housing
• SCIS Membership
• Social Development • Tribal Housing
• Fire Safety
• Education
• Goverance & Policy.
• First Nation Government
• Water & Waste Water
• Training Programs

Chief Wayne Desjarlais (Chairman)
Ebb & Flow, First Nation

Chief Derek Nepinak
Pine Creek, First Nation

Chief Kerwin Chaboyer
O-chi-chak-ko-sipi, First Nation

Chief Cameron Catcheway
Skownan First Nation

Chief David Ledoux
Gambler First Nation

Chief Wilfred Mckay
Rolling River, First Nation

Chief Barry Mckay
Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve

Chief Dwayne Blackbird
Keeseekoowenin, First Nation

Promoting First Nation Government, self-determination & independence of the members of the West Region Tribal Council

Treaty #2

• Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation
• Ebb & Flow First Nation
• O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation
• Skownan First Nation

Treaty # 4

• Pine Creek First Nation
• Rolling River First Nation
• Gambler First Nation
• Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve

• By encouraging the development of First Nation Government at a pace decided upon by each First Nation
• By assisting with the establishment of overall policies and strategies in harmony with the changing needs of the members of the Tribal Council
• By providing assistance to the First Nation in planning and budgeting for their needs that encourages Community Building and Capacity
• By assisting in transferring authority, responsibility, and accountability from the Federal Government to the Councils of the First Nations;
• By providing a mechanism by which the communities assist each other in all aspects of development.
• The Tribal Council shall enhance the authority of the First Nations within its jurisdiction and will not interfere or attempt to organize in a manner that would detract from those authorities.
• The Tribal Council shall do all other lawful things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objectives.