Metis focus on business services during open house

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Aboriginal people reach their dream of getting a satisfying job with help from three Aboriginal services, visitors were told at the Metis Week open house Nov. 14.

Aboriginal Counselling and Employment Services 2000 Society (ACES 2000), Apeetogosan (Metis) Development Inc. and Pinnacle Business Services Ltd. share the same building on the city's north-west side.

ACES 2000 is a career development service for Aboriginal people. "At every approach in dealing with clients, we (ACES 2000 staff) do a service needs determination in four employability dimensions: employment maintenance, career decision-making, skill enhancement and job search," said Kristopher Gladue, placement officer for ACES.

The Medicine Wheel is also an integral part of the approach, where clients' spiritual, emotional, physical and mental health are considered. ACES' special needs co-ordinator can address some physical and mental health concerns.

But the centre's specialty is career counselling. Employment maintenance includes issues that may be a barrier to employment (such as health concerns, childcare, substance abuse), said Gladue.

Career decision-making assesses clients' suitability for the job they want.

The skill enhancement sector provides clients with funding to attend a training program if they need it.

"Job search is my specialty as the placement officer. I assist clients to refine their job search strategies and identify potential employers and important information," Gladue said.

At any time, any counsellor available can help clients prepare their resumes. Clients can also do a self-serve search by checking out the job board, Internet job banks, and resource library containing information in the four focus areas, said Gladue. ACES 2000 is a non-profit organization. Its services are free.

If working for an employer is not a satisfying idea, Aboriginal people have an opportunity to open their own businesses. Apeetogosan Development Inc. provides financial assistance services, literally next door.

"We want to let everyone know that we recognize and celebrate Metis Week," said Apeetogosan's general manager George Vass.

Apeetogosan was incorporated in 1984 to deliver business loans to the Metis and non-Status Indian people in Alberta. They lend money required for establishing new or expanding existing profitable businesses if the entrepreneur has a professional business plan and cash equity of at least 10 per cent of the total cost of the project, said Vass.

Pinnacle Business Services Ltd., owned by Apeetogosan, is a business advisory organization. "We are bridging the knowledge gap between the lender and entrepreneurs," said Ken Balcom, senior business consultant of Pinnacle services.

Pinnacle conducts an initial interview with the business client at no cost. After general ideas of the business are discussed, they assess marketing and financial aspects and put together a final business plan. "We think out the idea, plan it in words and numbers. Then the professional business plan goes to the lender for approval," said Balcom.

Pinnacle also provides after-care coaching on operating the business, marketing plans, accounting and bookkeeping. Sometimes Pinnacle saves people who don't have enough skills from going into business and failing, Vass said.

Ellen Vey has just established Create-A-Mat Inc. with help of Pinnacle and Apeetogosan. Vey makes thick fabric mats with pictures for children and logo doormats for companies and homes. She said hand-making mats has been her hobby for years. She is finalizing her renovations and equipment and is hoping to be in production in December. She said Pinnacle training made her search for a greater variety of clients. "I really enjoyed everyone I've dealt with. They were very supportive," Vey said.