Making inclusive environments for Indigenous Canadians is an important step in reconciliation. It is a way to honor the unique experiences, histories, and cultures of Indigenous peoples and to create spaces where each and every person can feel welcome and respected.
There are many ways to make environments more inclusive for Indigenous peoples. Here are some suggestions on the steps that workplaces can take:
1) Educate Management about Indigenous Canadian Culture
One effective way to make workplaces more inclusive is to make efforts to educate management about Indigenous Canadian culture and teaching how to respect them. This includes learning about the experiences and perspectives of Indigenous peoples, as well as the unique history and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
Encourage management to learn about the unique experiences and perspectives of Indigenous peoples in Canada on their own as well. This can be done through books, films, articles, and other resources.
2) Know the Existing Indigenous-Friendly Workplace Programs
There are a number of Indigenous-friendly workplace programs available for employers to consider, such as the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program. The ISET program helps Indigenous people get training and find employment. It also helps employers connect with Indigenous job seekers.
There are many other existing Indigenous-friendly workplace programs that organizations can take advantage of to help them become more inclusive. It’s best to collaborate with experts and instill these programs in the workplace.
3) Share Knowledge and Principles of Indigenous Culture
Sharing knowledge and principles of Indigenous culture is a great way to help employees learn more about the importance of inclusion. It can also help them better understand the unique challenges Indigenous people face.
The best way to do this is to collaborate with Indigenous organizations, leaders, and elders. They can help share their knowledge and expertise with employees, deepening their understanding and working towards reconciliation.
4) Have Indigenous Awareness Training Policies
While we discussed the importance of training management, it’s important to tackle and educate the rest as well. Indigenous awareness training policies can cover topics such as the importance of inclusion and how to be an ally.
These policies can be developed in collaboration with Indigenous organizations and leaders to ensure they are culturally relevant and effective. They are a great way to ensure that employees will be respectful and inclusive of Indigenous people.
5) Offer Upskilling Programs to Indigenous Workers
To ensure that Indigenous workers are able to find and keep good jobs, it is important to offer them upskilling programs. These programs can help them to learn new skills and improve their qualifications, climbing the corporate ladder.
Upskilling programs can be offered by employers, Indigenous organizations, or educational institutions. They can be designed to meet all the specific needs of Indigenous workers and can be tailored to their individual learning styles with the right effort.
Conclusion
There are many ways to make inclusive environments for Indigenous Canadians. It is important to learn about the diverse cultures and traditions of Indigenous people and to create spaces that are respectful and welcoming.
Looking for corporate indigenous workshops? Gwizhii Institute of Learning in Canada specializes in indigenous reconciliation, working collaboratively with clients to tailor-make workshops, training, policy, and much, much more. Contact us today!