Build strategic partnerships to support the development and delivery of sector-specific anti-racism training in essential areas such as health, law, education, engineering, and government services.

Barrier: Foundational training needed in most sectors

First Voice has identified a central barrier to developing and delivering sector-specific antiracism training: many sectors lack foundational knowledge of Indigenous Peoples, their histories, and current realities. Newfoundland and Labrador has a history of erasing the presence of Indigenous Peoples in the province, which has led many people in positions of leadership to believe that no Indigenous people exist within their sector. Even those who are aware of the current Indigenous presence in the province often have little understanding of the current realities Indigenous people face. Sector-specific antiracism training cannot be effective without this foundational knowledge and adequate resources to ensure the training reaches all workers. Foundational training can better equip the sector to work with Indigenous clients and share accurate information about Indigenous Peoples of the province, laying the groundwork for effective sector-specific training.

First Light: Restructuring training to support sector-specific training initiatives

First Light is currently in the process of restructuring its Indigenous Cultural Diversity Training which will provide a process for organizations wishing to develop sector-specific training. This will involve a structured process by which organizations can build foundational knowledge and, if adequate funding is secured, support partnerships to co-develop sector-specific training sessions.

Association of Early Childhood Educators & First Light: Partnership to develop sector-specific training and resources

The partnership between the Association of Early Childhood Educators NL (AECENL) and First Light (see Call for Change 2) is a leading example of a sector-specific organization working with an Indigenous organization to ensure workers in the field have foundational knowledge on Indigenous Peoples. It also shows how sector-specific training and resources can be developed to equip those in that field to work more effectively with Indigenous clients. It is equally important for ensuring that members of the organization are able to share accurate information about Indigenous Peoples in the province with non-Indigenous clients.

Royal Newfoundland Constabulary: Taking foundational steps to support training

In collaboration with First Light, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) has committed to fully funding the delivery of full-day training for 160 of its members on the histories and cultures of Indigenous Peoples in Newfoundland and Labrador, including the history and ongoing impact of residential schools. The rollout is planned to begin in late Fall 2024 in the Northeast Avalon region, which includes RNC Provincial Headquarters in St. John’s.

First Voice: Working towards sector-specific training in the justice system

First Voice formed the Indigenous Justice Action Circle which first met in November 2023. Antiracism training in the Justice system is one of the early priorities for this Action Circle. 

First Light has submitted a proposal to the Department of Justice and Public Safety to increase cultural and system navigation support for Indigenous inmates at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary (HMP) and the Clarenville Correctional Centre for Women (CCCW), which includes proposed funding for training of staff at both institutions. If approved in the upcoming budget cycle, staff will receive foundational training, which can then lead to sector-specific training for correctional facility staff.

For the Department of Education:

• Prioritize Call for Change 1, which would ensure all young residents in the province are exposed to accurate information about Indigenous Peoples in Newfoundland and Labrador. This will support foundational knowledge in the general population and build support for sector-specific training.

For professional associations:

• Prioritize building foundational knowledge among professionals working in essential areas by providing adequate training on the histories and cultures of Indigenous Peoples in Newfoundland and Labrador.

For employers:

• Implement policies mandating that all new hires complete foundational training on Indigenous histories, cultures, and sector-specific content as part of the onboarding process.