Bridging the Generational Gap

and Conflict ResolutionAFOA 10th Anniversary National Conference

Westin Hotel, OttawaThursday March 4, 2010

Joseph E. BrantManager, the Indigenous Communications Department

First Nations Technical InstituteTyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ontario

Did you know

Traditionals?

• anticipate security and stability• command and control leadership• “change” means something’s wrong• uncomfortable with new technology

• job changes rare• enviable work ethic

Contemporaries

current age:

30 - 45

What does this mean

for ourworkplaces?

1900s : Manufacturing economy

2000s : Service/Information

economy

Create / InventConnectSellProduceGrowHuntLift

versus

Aboriginal generational perceptions of youth

“They have to work hard to achieve success.”“They need to be given encouragement and support.”“Substance abuse remains a very huge challenge.”“They should be taught that all their decisions will

affect their life—right from the start.”“They need to take responsibility for themselves and

take advantage of all the opportunities that are available to them.”

Texting

Do you understand any of these abbreviations?

MTF

NP

BAU

PCM

PTMM

CM

CYE

SOTMG

F2F

Consider ...

1.Building your own personal brand online, or it will be built for you.

2.Understand that each day the world moves toward being more open ...so be honest!

3. Your resume doesn’t have to be one page4. Building credibility is not easy: time,

effort and focus

• Open communication• Cross-generational mentorship• Motivating co-workers/employees• Embracing feedback• Encouraging creative solutions• ... a little fun, too.

Actively engage in ...

Alternatively ...

1.Forget the problems.2.Focus on the signs of hope.3.Find the bright spots.

References"Crossing Boundaries Research Initiative." Web log post. UWinnipeg Research News. 5 May 2005.

Web. 22 Feb. 2010. <http://blog.uwinnipeg.ca/research/2005/05/crossing_boundaries_research_i.html>.

Dorsey, Jason Ryan. Y-Size Your Business: How Gen Y Employees Can Save You Money and Grow Your Business. Wiley, 2009. Print.

From Digital Divide to Digital Opportunity. Final Report. Ottawa: Crossing Boundaries National Council (Aboriginal Voice National Recommendations), 2005. Print.

Gravett, Linda, and Robin Throckmorton. Bridging the Generation Gap: How To Get Radio Babies, Boomers, Gen Xers, and Gen Yers to Work Together and Achieve More. New York: Career, 2007. Print.

Herring, Susan C. “Questioning the Generational Divide: Technological Exoticism and Adult Constructions of Online Youth Identity.” Youth, Identity, and Digital Media. Edited by David Buckingham. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Series on Digital Media and Learning. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 2008. 71-92. Doi: 10.1162/dmal.9780262524834.071

Hui, Stephen. "Q&A: Grand Chief Edward John on First Nations' Internet connectivity." Straight.com. 16 July 2009. Web. 22 Feb. 2010. <http://www.straight.com/article-241175/qa-grand-chief-edward-john-first-nations-internet-connectivity>.

References, cont’dHui, Stephen. "Q&A: Grand Chief Edward John on First Nations' Internet connectivity." Straight.com.

16 July 2009. Web. 22 Feb. 2010. <http://www.straight.com/article-241175/qa-grand-chief-edward-john-first-nations-internet-connectivity>.

Hui, Stephen. "Q&A: Indigenous blogger Dustin Rivers on using Internet technology." Straight.com. 16 July 2009. Web. 22 Feb. 2010. <http://www.straight.com/article-241176/qa-indigenous-blogger-dustin-rivers-using-internet-technology>.

"Igniting Change" profiles. Say Magazine AFN-INTES 2009 edition. Mar. 2009. Print.

Kopecky, Arno. "Generation divide shows in First Nations leadership speeches." Web log post. The Hook. The Tyee, 22 July 2009. Web. 22 Feb. 2010. <http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/Aboriginal-Affairs/2009/07/22/First-Nations-speeches-young-leaders/>.

Lancaster, Lynne C., and David Stillman. When Generations Collide: Who They Are. Why They Clash. How to Solve the Generational Puzzle at Work. New York: Collins, 2003. Print.

Mignone, Javier, and Heather Henley. "Impact of Information and Communication Technology on Social Capital in Aboriginal Communities in Canada." Journal of Information, Information Technology, and Organizations 4 (2009): 127-45. Print.

References, cont’d"Miscellaneous Notices." Canada Gazette. Government of Canada, 15 Sept. 2007. Web. 22 Feb.

2010. <http://www.gazette.gc.ca/archives/p1/2007/2007-09-15/html/misc-divers-eng.html>.

Price, Kella B. "Generational Divide: Managing and Motivating the Multigenerational Talent of the Workplace." PowerPoint presentation. via Slideshare.net. Price Consulting Group, 2009. Web. 22 Feb. 2010. <http://www.slideshare.net/kellaprice/generational-divide-managing-motivating-multigenerational-talent-of-workplace>.

Smillie-Adjarkwa, Christine. Is the Internet a Useful Resource for Indigenous Women Living in Remote Communities in Canada, Australia and New Zealand to Access Health Resources? Rep. National Network for Aboriginal Mental Health Research, 2005. Web. 22 Feb. 2010. <research.arts.yorku.ca/nhnf/DigitalDivide.pdf>.

“Why Education Needs Social Media.” Web log post. emergent by design. 11 Nov 2009. Web. http://emergentbydesign.com/2009/11/11/why-education-needs-social-media/

Please note: all personal interviews were confidential.