A comedy event hopes to help employers make their workplaces more welcoming to Indigenous people.
John DeGiacomo is the Executive Director of Anishinabek Employment and Training Services, and explains they’re hosting a virtual workshop featuring Indigenous improv group Tonto’s Nephews.
The event is in collaboration with Indigenous Employment Works and Magnus Theatre.
DeGiacomo explains it will help employers place where they fall on a seven-stage scale called the Indigenous Inclusion Continuum.
AETS says the event will also teach workplaces how to pinpoint what improvements need to be made to better their engagement and relationships with Indigenous peoples, businesses and organizations.
“Given these interesting times, this is a unique way, a very engaging and artistic approach, to talk about a serious topic, and do it through the voices and hearts of these comedians,” he says.
“Ensuring that workplaces are diverse, inclusive and promote career growth for Indigenous Peoples must be a priority. The Indigenous population is young and growing, and is largely an untapped resource for staffing with up to a 31% unemployment rate. AETS believes that hiring and enabling Indigenous Peoples in the workplace is essential to our region and country’s future economic success,” says DeGiacomo. “It also provides an opportunity for employers to contribute meaningfully to reconciliation.”
The event is taking place via REMO and ZOOM, and includes a pre-show networking event sponsored by Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce and a main show event hosted by Magnus Theatre.
The event is happening on March 25th, and registration is open until March 15th.
