Promote and support the establishment of full-time, paid Indigenous advisory positions in essential areas such as health, law, education, engineering, and government services.

Arts NL, The Rooms, Memorial University, & NL Health Services: Positions added, not all filled

In September 2023, The Rooms hired a full-time Indigenous Cultural Liaison. This staff member is currently working with education staff to revise school programs at The Rooms and is working with community consultants from Nunatsiavut to update sections of the Level 3 Museum exhibition, in addition to other projects to create and co-create several programs at The Rooms in partnership with Indigenous artists and academics. 

In July 2023, Arts NL added a position for Indigenous Outreach Officer. Memorial University currently includes a position for Vice-President (Indigenous) and, in the Division of Population Health and Applied Health Sciences of the Faculty of Medicine, a position for Indigenous Health Coordinator.

In June 2024, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services posted a position for Director of Indigenous Health and Cultural Safety. This position has not been filled.

Needs identified: Respectful inclusion and support for Indigenous advisors

To fully enact this Call for Change, more respectful inclusion and support are needed for individuals in Indigenous advisory positions.

Many organizations now want to add an Indigenous-specific role on advisory boards. Indigenous representatives on advisory boards are often the only Indigenous person in the group, with the majority being non-Indigenous. This means that their Indigenous perspective is likely to be at odds with the majority of members on certain issues. First Voice has heard that Indigenous representatives on advisory boards often feel their contributions are not given equal consideration and are sometimes told they are being “too difficult” or “not diplomatic”. Organizations wanting to add an Indigenous advisory position should expect that a diversity of participants will result in a diversity of perspectives and consider how they hope to respond to this diversity of perspectives in respectful and inclusive ways.

Further, advisory positions often draw on lived experiences and community knowledge of harms done to Indigenous peoples. Positions which inherently draw on a person’s understanding and direct experiences of trauma require that trauma-informed supports be made consistently available. Organizations with Indigenous advisory positions should work with Indigenous people to consider what kinds of support may be needed to ensure the wellbeing of all such advisors.