Support the recruitment and retention of Indigenous people into essential industries and professions such as health, law, education, engineering, and government services.

Barrier: Need for training and workplace policies

First Voice has identified a number of barriers to addressing this Call for Change. Workplaces which have not taken foundational steps to improve their working conditions and HR practices in regards to Indigenous people may not be adequately prepared to launch recruitment and retention initiatives. 

The main identified barrier to retention of Indigenous individuals is that workplaces are often not inclusive or culturally safe, meaning Indigenous workers are at risk of discrimination once hired. Addressing this requires workplaces to provide antiracism training for their existing employees and/or for licensing bodies to require such training.

These barriers are all related to other Calls for Change. First Voice and the Indigenous Health Action Circle are exploring collaborative solutions to these issues in the specific area of healthcare services.

Law Society: Launches scholarship

In 2023 the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Indigenous Education and Action Committee (IEAC) launched a scholarship for Indigenous law students who are pursuing a Juris Doctor degree, a Master of Laws degree, or a Ph.D. in law. Up to three scholarships in the amount of $5,000 are awarded annually. Two recipients received the scholarship in 2023 and three recipients received the scholarship in 2024.