Length: 3 hours
Audience: All employees, specifically of interest to Policy Practitioners, Analysts, Communication and Engagement Leads
Facilitator: Mark Sheridan and Lori St. Onge
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 9:00 a.m.
Location: Virtual
This course provides government professionals with foundational knowledge and practical tools to apply an Indigenous perspective in policy or policy development. The training emphasizes cultural awareness, Indigenous protocols, reconciliation principles, and the appropriate use of consultation and engagement processes. Emphasis is placed on aligning policies with reconciliation commitments, legal obligations, and best practices when applying an Indigenous lens to decision-making.
Applications in the Workplace:
- Apply reconciliation principles, the Honour of the Crown, two-eyed seeing, and the duty to consult when developing or revising policies, programs, or legislation.
- Identify when Indigenous consultation is required versus when engagement is appropriate to inform policy decisions.
- Understand cultural protocols and government guidelines when interacting with Indigenous communities and organizations.
- Coordinate with the Indigenous Relations Secretariat at the earliest stages of policy development.
- Assess potential impacts of policies on Indigenous rights, interests, and communities before decisions are finalized.
- Collaborate across departments to ensure a consistent, whole-of-government approach to Indigenous relations.
Outcomes that Benefit the Government Employee:
- Increasing confidence and clarity in meeting Indigenous-related legal and policy obligations.
- Saving time and resources embedding Indigenous considerations early rather than adding them later.
- Strengthening professional competence and cultural awareness.
- Enhancing collaboration across departments through shared understanding, common language, and coordinated approaches.
