Professional development and training for public servants
Learn how the Government of Canada is responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 57.
Based on data provided September 2023.
57. We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.
What's happening?
The Canada School of Public Service (the School) launched the Indigenous Learning Series in 2016 and the Indigenous Learning Business Line was created in 2019 with a mandate to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 57.
The School continues to develop learning products on Indigenous realities such as major historical events, the relationships between the Crown and Indigenous Peoples, treaties and Aboriginal rights, and the diverse perspectives of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
Since 2016, the School has:
- conducted internal and external engagement sessions to seek input and work collaboratively with Indigenous communities and academics in addition to public service partners
- established a governance structure to ensure content is truth-based and reflective of Indigenous perspectives: the Circle of Elders and Knowledge Keepers, the Indigenous Learning Sharing Network (external partners) and the Interdepartmental Committee on Indigenous Learning
- launched multiple online and in-person learning products, including:
- 14 courses
- 15 job aids
- 37 videos
- the audio series "Sitting by the Fire"
- released Reconciliation: A Starting Point, a mobile app that is available for both Apple and Android devices and on the School's learning platform
Since 2019, the School had organized up to 10 learning events a year focusing on the themes of recognition, respect, relationships and reconciliation
Consult the Indigenous learning products page to learn about the courses, job aids, videos and podcast offered by the School.
Recent progress
The School continues to develop resources for public servants to advance Call to Action 57.
The School launched a new course on being a humble leader which is part of the Leadership Reflection Series.
The School is also offering 3 new courses for executives to address colonial practices and systemic barriers, Crown-Indigenous relations, policy co-development, and recruitment and retention:
- Building Meaningful Relationships with Indigenous Peoples (includes an immersive cultural experience)
- Reflecting on Canada's Colonial History
- Supporting Indigenous Talent
In addition, the School produced Video Testimonials: Indigenous Employees. This new video suite amplifies the voices of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis public service employees who talk about their cultures, their challenges, their languages, their dreams, and their perceptions as Indigenous persons and public service employees today. By listening to their stories, public servants can contribute to building bridges of understanding.
In 2021 and 2022, Indigenous Learning partnered with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Indigenous and non-Indigenous experts to hold 10 events with a total participation of close to 28,000 people. These events focused on a wide range of current and pertinent topics including:
- reconciliation
- cultural safety
- Canadian policies towards Indigenous Peoples and their impacts
- lived experience of First Nations, Inuit and Métis
Events for 2022 to 2023 include:
- Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the UN Declaration Act
- International Decade of Indigenous Languages: Gikinoo'amaadiwinan (Learning from Each Other)
- Strengthening Relationships with Indigenous Peoples Through the Consultation and Accommodation Process
- CSPS Virtual Café Series: A Fireside Chat with Dr. Alika Lafontaine
- Inspiring Leadership Through Indigenous Cultural Practices
- Marking the 2022 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- The Shared Responsibility of Implementing the Inuit Nunangat Policy
- Supporting Indigenous Talent
- What You Think You Know About the Métis Is Probably Wrong
- Advancing Reconciliation by Addressing Inequality
- Overcoming Adversity and Reclaiming Power as Indigenous Women
- Relationships, Engagement and Consultation: The Essentials for Reconciliation
- Amplifying Indigenous Voices to Advance Reconciliation
Job aids:
- Understanding Consultation and Engagement in a Time of Reconciliation
- The Reconciliation Path
- Government Policies and the Impacts on Indigenous Peoples in Canada
- First Nations Storytelling
- The Impact of Colonialism on Indigenous Peoples in Canada: A Historical Timeline
Videos:
- The 10 Principles at Work at Justice Canada
- Our Rights: Indigenous Youth on the United Nation Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Call to Action 57: A Duty of Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples for all Public Servants
- Video Testimonials: Indigenous Employees
- Territorial Acknowledgement
- Best Practices and Lessons Learned in Indigenous Procurement
- Exploring Identity
- Parks Canada's Métis Reconciliation Projects: Sharing the Métis Story
- Revitalizing Indigenous Languages
- Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the UN Declaration Act
- The IT Apprenticeship Program for Indigenous People: Overcoming Employment Barriers
- The Indigenous Career Navigator Program
- The United Nation Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Explained
- Finding Health Equity for First Nations Children
- National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (partnered event with Prairie Regional Council)
- Celebrating Louis Riel Day: Métis Realities
- The Shared Responsibility of Implementing the Inuit Nunangat Policy
To access the full list, visit the School's Indigenous learning products.
Next steps
The School will continue to develop tools and resources for public servants as it believes that the implementation of Call to Action 57 is an ongoing process rooted in reconciliation. To achieve this goal, the school will continue to work with Indigenous partners and organizations and other departments and organizations that support the development of adult educational products related to Indigenous realities.
To view upcoming events, visit the School's Learning catalogue.