Responding to the Truth and Reconciliation

Commission of Canada: Calls to Action

Anupdateto‘MeetingtheChallengeofReconciliation:TheGovernmentoftheNorthwest

TerritoriesResponsetotheTruthandReconciliationCommission’sCallstoAction’

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 2017

TABLED DOCUMENT 330-18(2) TABLED ON MARCH 8, 2017

     

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MessagefromthePremierAchievingreconciliationisatleastpartoftheanswertomanyofthechallengesthatwefaceintheNorthwestTerritories(NWT).TheCallstoActionoftheTruthandReconciliationCommissionofferwaystoaddressthedamagecausedincludingintergenerationaltrauma,andmovetowardsourvisionofaterritorywhereallourpeople,communitiesandregionsshareinthebenefitsofahealthy,just,sustainableandprosperoussociety.WewanttoseeanNWTwhereourpeoplecanthriveandbehealthy,whereawell‐managedenvironmentcontributestooureconomicwellbeingandqualityoflife,andwhereastrongeconomyprovidesjobsandopportunitiesforourcommunities.TruthandReconciliationisaboutchangingattitudesandaddressinginequities.Governmentcannotachievethisalone,butwearecommittedtoplayingourpart.InSeptember2015,the17thLegislativeAssemblyissued‘MeetingtheChallengeofReconciliation–TheGovernmentoftheNorthwestTerritoriesresponsetotheTruthandReconciliationCommissionCallstoAction’.The18thLegislativeAssemblyhasfurthercommittedtosupporttheCallstoActionoftheTruthandReconciliationCommissionthatfallwithinthejurisdictionoftheterritorialgovernment,especiallyrelatedtoviolenceagainstindigenouswomenandgirls.TheGovernmentoftheNorthwestTerritories(GNWT)continuestomovetowardsreconciliation,particularlythroughtheactionsoutlinedin‘MeetingtheChallengeofReconciliation’.Manyoftheactionswithinthatdocumentareongoing,butthisupdateprovidessomehighlights,organizedbytheme,ofadditionalworkdone.Theseactionsarealsonotanexhaustivelist–theGNWThasengagedinavarietyofwork,longbeforethecallstoactionwerecompleted,tohelpachievereconciliation.Thatsaid,wehavemoretodo.2017isacommemorativeyear–150yearsofCanada,50yearsoftheGovernmentoftheNorthwestTerritories–anditisachancetofurthertheworkofreconciliation.

     

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A. ChildWelfare(TRCRecommendations1‐5and55i)

2016‐17Updates:MonitoringInvestigations AnewChildandfamilyservicesinformationsystemisbeingconfigured

andtested.Whenoperational,itwillprovideenhancedmonitoringcapabilitiesanddatareliability;

The2015‐2016DirectorofChildandFamilyServicesAnnualReporthasbeentabledandispostedatwww.hss.gov.nt.ca;

TrainingChildProtectionWorkers MandatoryintroductorytrainingforallChildProtectionWorkersinthe

NorthwestTerritories(NWT)hasbeenfurtherexpanded.ChildProtectionWorkersarerequiredto:

o completeAboriginalCulturalAwarenessTraining;o identifyandspeakwithlocaltraditionalknowledgeholderstolearn

aboutthespecificcommunity/regionthattheywillbeworkingin;and

o participateinapresentationonresidentialschoolandthelinksbetweenresidentialschoolandthechildwelfaresystemfromanElderandsurvivorofresidentialschool.

Inaddition,mandatorytrainingforChildProtectionWorkerSupervisorsisindevelopmentasacompaniontothemandatoryintroductorytraining.Improvedsupervisionleadstobetterchildprotectionpractice.

GNWTResponse:TheGNWTcommitstoworkingtoreducethenumberofAboriginalchildrenincare,as describedbytheTruthandReconciliationCommissionrecommendationsthroughthe ongoingimplementationoftheChildandFamilyServicesActandthrough‘Building StrongerFamilies’,ouractionplantotransformchildandfamilyservicesinthedirection ofamorecollaborativeandfamily‐centeredapproachtochildprotectionservices. 

     

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SupportingParents TheDepartmentsofHealthandSocialServices(HSS)andEducation,

CultureandEmployment(ECE)continuetoimplementRightfromtheStart–EarlyChildhoodDevelopmentFramework;

In2016,theEarlyChildhoodDevelopmentBridgeActionPlanfor2016‐2017wasreleased;

TheimplementationofthefirstthreeyearsofRightfromtheStartwasevaluated.TheresultsofthisevaluationhavebeenusedtoguidethedevelopmentoftheEarlyChildhoodDevelopmentActionPlanfor2017‐2020,whichwillcontinuetoexpandonworktoimprovethehealthydevelopmentofallchildrenaged0‐5andfocusonculturallyappropriateoptionsforAboriginalparents.

AspartoftheActionPlan,HSShascreateda‘MadeintheNWT’BabyBag.Itcontainsusefulresourcesfornewparentsandmayinclude:ababycarrier,anursingbra,babywipes,achangepad,adigitalthermometer,babyshampooorsoap,andreceivingblankets.ResourcesaredistributedinInuviktomomswhostayattheTransientCentre;inYellowknifetomomswhostayattheVitalAbelBoardingHome;and,inHayRiverandFortSmithtofamiliesidentifiedthroughwraparoundserviceproviders.

InpartnershipwiththeHayRiverHealthandSocialServicesAuthority,theAboriginalHealthandCommunityWellnessdivisionhaspurchased“babybags”fromtheUniversityofCalgaryBabyBoxpilotprojectforsharingandtrainingopportunities.ThesewillbeutilizedfortheprogramsinHayRiverandFortSmith.

VitalAbelandInuvikboardinghomescontinuetobesupportedthroughcontributionfortheirpre‐natalprogrammingin2016‐2017.Theprogramprovidesexpectantmotherswitheducation,toolsandcontactstohelpwiththearrivaloftheirnewborns,

RightfromtheStartcontinuestosupportAboriginallanguagelearning.IpadminisaredistributedtonewparentsandprimarycaregiversthroughouttheNWT,fromtheInuvikTransientCentre,theYellowknifeVitalAbelBoardingHomeandinHayRiverandFortSmith.EachofthesesitesalsofacilitatesaccesstoapplicationsfortheIpadMiniInitiativeforNewParents.

Thereare8NWTAboriginallanguageAppsincludedontheIpadMinisthataredistributed.Duringthepilotphase,theappsandadditionalresources

     

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tosupportparentingandhealthwereevaluated.Trainingsessionsontheuseoftheitemsisconductedinaculturallysensitiveandcaringmanner.

In2015‐2016,programstandardsweredevelopedtosupporttheHealthyFamilyProgram,avoluntary,intensive,earlyinterventionhomevisitingprogramdesignedtoimprovethelivesofyoungchildrenbypromotingnurturingparent‐childrelationshipsandknowledgeofearlychildhooddevelopment.

A2014‐2015ChildandFamilyResourceProgramsandServicesmodelpilotinN’diloandTulitabyECE,hasresultedinanexpansionoftheHealthFamilyPrograminTuktoyaktuk.TheHealthyFamilyProgramisnowdeliveredin16communitiesacrosstheNWT.

Basedonfeedbackreceivedthroughouttheprogramstandardsdevelopmentprocess,theneedtoreviewtheHealthyFamilyProgramwasidentified.Consultationswithkeyearlychildhooddevelopmentstakeholdersandpartnerswillbecoordinatedintheupcomingyear.ThediscussionswillinformthereframingoftheHealthyFamilyProgramtoreachbeyondhomevisitation.Thegoalistomovetoamoreencompassingapproachthatemphasizespartnershipsandismoreeasilyexpandabletoallcommunities,largeandsmall.Inaddition,anevaluationframeworkiscurrentlyunderway.

     

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B. Education(TRCRecommendations6‐12and55iiandiii)

2016‐17Updates: In2015theoverallgraduationratefortheNWTwas67%.ForAboriginal

students,thegraduationratewas56%.2016graduationrateswillbeavailableinJanuary2017.EffortstoimprovestudentsuccesscontinuethroughtheNWTEducationRenewalInitiative.

NWTstudentscontinuetoparticipateinNorthernStudies10.Teachertrainingforthiscourse,includingthemoduleaddressingthehistoryandlegacyofresidentialschools,washeldin2015.

TheHistoryandLegacyofResidentialSchoolsawarenesstrainingwasalsoofferedtoallteachersnewtotheNWTinAugust2015andAugust2016.

Thenew2016‐2019EducationRenewalActionPlanandbudgetwererecentlyapproved.Theareasforactioncontinuetofocusoninitiativesfocusedon

1)Language,CultureandIdentity,2)StudentandEducatorWellbeing,3)TeachingandLearning,and4)SystemAccountability.

ThisworkencompassesthedevelopmentoftheNorthernStudies20and30courses,legacyofresidentialschoolingawarenessin‐servicingforallNWTeducatorsandECEstaff,aswellasanumberofwellnessrelatedinitiativesrelatedtotheTRC.Accountabilityprocessesincludewellnessindicatorsalongsidemorecommoneducationsystemsuccessindicators,includingaroundstudentachievement,attendance,andgraduationrates.

HSSandECEformedaworkinggrouptomoveforwardontheinformationsharingpiecesnecessarytodevelopanintegratedearlychildhoodservicesdeliverymodel.

GNWTResponse:TheGNWTcommitstoworkingactivelytoclosetheeducationgapbetweenAboriginal andnon‐Aboriginalstudents,andsupportstheobjectivesoftherecommendationsby theTruthandReconciliationCommissionunderthistheme.

     

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ECEandHSSareparticipatinginaninterdepartmentalworkinggrouptostrengthenthedepartmentalstaffs’knowledgeofdifferentinitiativesintheareaofprogramsandservicesforchildrenwithdevelopmentalissues.Tosupportearliereffortstomoveforwardoninformationsharinginacollaborativemanner,thisworkinggroupisnowalsofocusedonimprovedinformationsharing,includingdevelopmentofacommonconsentformtoallowinformationtobesharedbetweeneducationauthoritiesandhealthcareprofessionals,aswellasdevelopinganintegratedservicesdeliverymodelthatwillprovideateamofsupporttochildrenwithcomplexneedsandtheirfamiliesintheearlyyearsaswellastheJuniorKindergartentoGrade12educationsystem.TheDepartmentofJusticesupportedHSSandECEindiscussionsaroundacommonconsentformandInformationSharingAgreement,incompliancewithGNWTlegislation.

PostsecondaryEducation NWTStudentFinancialAssistanceprovideseligibleAboriginalstudents

withaBasicGranttoassistwiththecostoftuition,booksandlivingallowance,aswellasaSupplementaryGranttoassistwiththecostoflivingexpenses,basedonthesizeofthestudent’sfamily.Approximately1,100Aboriginalstudentsaresupportedannually.

WorkingwithOtherGovernments AnewFederal‐Provincial‐Territorial‐IndigenousForumhasbeenformed,

andthenegotiationoftermsofreferenceandscopeofdiscussioncontinue.OntarioandCanadaareco‐chairingthisnewforum.

     

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C. LanguageandCulture(TRCRecommendations13‐17and62iii)

2016‐17Updates: TheGNWTisupdatingtheNWTAboriginalLanguagesPlan–ASharedResponsibility(2010).TherenewedFrameworkandActionPlanwillincludeanaccompanyingMonitoring,EvaluationandAccountabilityPlan.

SevenAboriginalgovernmentsdeveloped5yearRegionalAboriginalLanguagePlansandhiredRegionalAboriginalLanguageCoordinatorstoleadandmanagetheregionalAboriginallanguagerevitalizationinitiatives.Currently,theplansareinthethirdyearofimplementation.

TheAboriginalLanguagesandLearningSecretariat(ALLS)isworkingtoenhancetheprotection,revitalizationandpromotionofAboriginallanguagesthroughouttheNWT.

ThreeprioritiesoftheALLSaretoimplementandmonitorthefollowinginitiatives:

o TherenewedNWTAboriginalLanguagesPlan–ASharedResponsibility;

o theAboriginalLanguagesandCultureBasedEducation(ALCBE)Directive;and

o the5‐yearRegionalAboriginalLanguagePlans. TheALCBEDirectivewasreviewedin2014.Thereviewfoundthe

Directivesound,butidentifiedareasthatrequiredimprovement.TheDirectiveiscurrentlyundergoingrenewaltoaddresstherecommendationsofthereview.TherenewedALCBEDirectiveandphased‐infundingmodelandaccountabilitystructurewillbeimplementedonatransitionalbasisin2017‐18,withfullimplementationtakingplaceinthe2018/19schoolyear.

GNWTResponse:TheGNWTcommitstoworkingactivelytonurtureandpromoteAboriginallanguageuse inpartnershipwithAboriginalgovernmentsandcommunitiesthroughtheOfficial LanguagesAct,andsupportstheobjectivesoftherecommendationsbytheTruthand ReconciliationCommissionunderthistheme.TheGNWTencouragesthefederal governmenttotakeappropriateactiontoensurethatAboriginallanguageprogramming isadequatelyfunded.

     

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Land‐basedlearningopportunitiesandculturecampscontinuetobemadeavailabletoAuroraCollegestudents.

DeliveryoftheAboriginalLanguageandCulturalInstructorProgramthroughAuroraCollegeintheSahturegionisgoingwellanditisanticipatedthat6studentswillgraduateintheSpringof2017.

LegislativechangestotheVitalStatisticsActandtheChangeofNameActhavebeenproposedtoenablereclamationofsinglenames,ifdesired,sincelegislationcurrentlyrequirestwonamesonabirthcertificate.Onceimplemented,residentswillbeabletoregistertheirnameinanAboriginallanguage,astherestrictionofromanalphabet‐onlynamesisremoved.TheVitalStatisticsActBillwasintroducedtotheLegislativeAssemblyonJune24,2016.

TheDepartmentofHealthandSocialServicesissupportiveofwaivingthefeetofileachangeofnameapplicationtoreclaimnameschangedbytheresidentialschoolsystemandtoissueanewbirthcertificateinthatnamewithoutcharge.

TheGeneralIdentificationCardRegulationsandtheDriver’sLicenceRegulationsundertheMotorVehiclesActhavebeenamendedtoprovidetheRegistrarofMotorVehicleswiththeauthoritytowaivethefeerequiredfornamechanges,forclientswishingtoreclaimnamesthatwerechangedundertheresidentialschoolsystem.

     

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D. Health(TRCRecommendations18‐24and55iv)

OnAugust1,2016Bill44:AnActtoAmendtheHospitalInsuranceandHealthandSocialServicesAdministrationActcameintoforceandputintoplacetheNorthwestterritoriesHealthandSocialServicesAuthority(TerritorialAuthority).ThisnewintegratedsystemwillimprovecareandservicesforNWTresidents.Structureswithinthenewsystem,includingRegionalWellnessCouncils(RWCs)andtheTerritorialBoardofManagementwillensureresidentsinallregionsoftheNWThavebetterinputoncaredeliveryattheregionalandterritoriallevel.RWCshavebeenestablishedforthefollowingsixregions:

o FortSmith,o Dehcho,o Yellowknife,o Sahtu,o HayRiver,ando BeaufortDelta.

StantonTerritorialHospitalwillnothaveadistinctRWC.Asaterritorialfacility,itwillgovernedbytheTerritorialBoardofManagement.TheplansforbringingtheHayRiverHealthandSocialServicesAuthorityintothepublicservicewillcontinuetoberefined.TheproposedamalgamationoftheBoardsofManagementwillnotincludetheTCSA.TherewillbenoconsequentialamendmenttotheTłıchoCommunityServicesAgencyAct.

MembersandchairsforRegionalWellnessCouncilswereannouncedinJune2016.Selectionsofregionalwellnesscouncils,totheextentpossible,reflectabalanceineachregion,includingyouth,elders,Aboriginalandnon‐Aboriginal,smallcommunityandregionalcentre.

Standardizationofprocesses,systems,andtheremovingofbarriersinthesystemwillhelpensureconsistentcareandservicesforallNWTresidents.

TheTerritorialAuthorityhasanexcellentleadershipteamthathasbeguntofocusonmakingchangesinkeypriorityareasincluding:

GNWTResponse:TheGNWTwillcontinuetoaddressthepopulationhealthdisparitiesbetweenAboriginalandnon‐Aboriginalpeople,inpartnershipwiththefederalgovernmentandwithAboriginalgovernments.

     

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o ChildandFamilyServices,o MentalHealthandAddictions,ando QualityandSafety.

TheGNWTwillhavetheopportunitytoconsolidatefinanceandprocurement,settingthestagetoachieveimmediateefficiencies,andimproveabilitytotrackandmaintaincosts.OverthenextthreeyearstheGNWTwillseeeachoftheseareasaddressedandchangesmadetohelpimprovecareandservicedeliveryandmakethesystemmoreefficient.Stakeholderoutreachandcommunication,includingAboriginalandCommunitygovernments,willcontinuethroughoutthetransitionprocess.

ACommunitySafetyStrategythatwaspilotedbytheDepartmentofJusticeiscurrentlyintheevaluationphase.LessonslearnedfromthestrategywillbeincorporatedwhenimplementingcurrentandfutureCommunityJusticeandPolicinginitiatives.Thecommunityengagementapproachtothesafetystrategyprovedtobesuccessfulinidentifyingandassessingexistingresourcesinthecommunityaswellashealthandsafetyissuesthatfacethesecommunities.Buildingcommunitycapacitytoaddresstheseissuesremainsapriority.

AdecentralizedteamofCommunityDevelopmentandWellnessPlannerssupport ongoingcommunitywellnesswork.Thisworkincludeshelpingwith18CommunityHealthyLivingFairsbetweenJuly2016andFebruary2017toraiseawarenessonhealthyliving,tofocusoncommunitywellnessandexpandhealthnetworks.Thesewillbeeventsforthewholecommunitywithfocusonsharinghealthandwellnessideas,alongwithpromotionoffitness,nutritionandtraditionalliving,etc.Thecommunitiesare:Ndilo,LutselK’e,FortResolution,HayRiverReserve,Enterprise,Kakisa,FortProvidence,TroutLake,Wrigley,NahanniButte,FortLiard,JeanMarieRiver,Tulita,Délįnę ,FortGoodHope,ColvilleLake,TsiigehtchicandFortMcPherson.TheworkincludesassistingcommunitieswithrefreshingtheirCommunityWellnessPlansduringthe5‐yearblockfundingagreement(2013‐2018)withHealthCanada.ThisbeganwithfacilitatortrainingworkshopsheldinNormanWells,Inuvik,YellowknifeandFortSimpsoninthefallof2016.

The2015PublicPerformanceMeasuresReportcanbefoundathttp://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/sites/default/files/nwt‐hss‐public‐performance‐measures‐report‐2015.pdf.The2016reportisexpectedtobeavailablebyearlyNovember2016at:http://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/publications

     

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FundingforHealingfromtheHarmsCausedbyResidentialSchools

AnNWTOntheLandCollaborativeFundhasbeenestablished,andwillensurethatapprovedprojectsservemultiplecommunitiesandprovidedirectmentalwellnessservices,provideearlywarningcrisissignals,andseektoblendorbalanceclinicalapproacheswithtraditionalandculturalvaluesandmethodologies.PartnersintheFundincludetheGNWT,TidesCanada,thePEWIndigenousLeadershipInitiative,TNCCanada,theJ.W.McConnellFamilyFoundation,DominionDiamondCorporation,NWTRecreationandParksAssociation,andcommunityadvisorsfromacrosstheNWT.TheOntheLandHealingFundsupportsAboriginalGovernmentstodeliverylandbasedhealingprogramsformentalhealthandaddictions.Thisisakeycomponentoftheoverallcontinuumofservicesformentalhealthandaddictions.Thefundingisongoingwithapproximately$1millionavailabletosupportprograms.HSSisworkingwithon‐the‐landleaderstodevelopanevaluationframeworktobuilduponevidencethaton‐the‐landprogramsareanemergingbestpracticeforhealing.

AconsultantwashiredtoexaminecurrentAboriginalwellnesspracticesatStantonhospital,bestpractices,andrecommendationsforastand‐aloneAboriginalwellnesscentreorwithinthehospital.FundinghasnotyetbeenidentifiedfortheconstructionofanAboriginalwellnesscentre.

AboriginalHealing AnewIndigenousAdvisorybodyisbeingestablishedtoreplacethe

StantonElders’CouncilwhosetermendedinAugust2016whentheStantonTerritorialHealthAuthorityamalgamatingintotheTerritorialHealthandSocialServicesAuthority.ThisgroupwillberesponsibleforadvisingtheGNWTonmattersrelatedtotheplanningofanAboriginalwellnesscentre,findingwaystoaccommodatetraditionalhealingandensuringthehealthandsocialservicessystemisculturallysafe.

Allcorrectionalfacilitieshavetraditionalliaisonofficerswhoprovideone‐on‐onecounsellingandculturalceremoniessuchasfeedingthefireceremonies,smudgingandsharingcirclesTheseofficersalsotakeoffenderstotraditionalpickingsites(i.e.sweet‐grassandratroot).Offendersalsohaveopportunitiestoparticipateincommunitysweatswitheldersandstaff.

     

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HealthCareProfessionals AllGNWTemployeesarerequiredtotaketheAboriginalCultural

AwarenessTrainingwhichprovidesGNWTemployeeswithinformationandcontextforthecommunitiesandregionsweliveinandresidentsweserve.ItscontentisnorthernspecificandprovideshistoricalinformationongovernmentandAboriginalrelationships.ThetrainingisforGNWTemployeesandisalsoavailableforviewingbythegeneralpublic(https://my.hr.gov.nt.ca/courses/aboriginal‐cultural‐awareness‐training.Diversityandinclusionarecrucialaspectsofastrongandstablepublicservice.ThistrainingincreasesunderstandingaboutAboriginalculture,enhancesawareness,andpromotesaspiritofinclusion.ThistrainingalsoreaffirmsAboriginalvaluesandpartnershipsasakeyfoundationoftheGNWT,basedonrespect,recognitionandresponsibility.

TheTruthandReconciliationCommissionCallstoAction,issuedin2015,calledforallhealthsystemstoensureculturalsafetytraining–theNWThealthandsocialservicessystemwasalreadyonthispath.WehavehighlightedIndigenoushealth,theneedtoimproveIndigenoushealthoutcomes,andtheimportanceofculturalsafetyandculturalcompetencesince2013.TheAboriginalHealthandCommunityWellnessDivisionattheDepartmentwasalsoestablishedin2013todedicateresourcesandgivefocustoconcernsaboutthecaregiventoIndigenouspatientsandclientsandtobetteraddresshealthoutcomedisparitiesthatexistbetweentheaboriginalandnon‐aboriginalpopulationsoftheNWT.HSShasalsosoughtadvicefromnationallyrecognizedexpertsoverthepastthreeyears.Departmentstaff,leadersandeldershavevisitedotherjurisdictionsthathavedevelopedbestpractices(Alaska,Yukon,Ontario).TheMinisterofHSShaswrittentotheChairofnewNWTHealthandSocialServicesLeadershipCouncildirectingthataculturallycompetentsystembeapriority.TheMinisterhasalsoinvitedAboriginalgovernmentstodesignatestafftoworkwiththeDepartmentondesigninganIndigenousAdvisoryCouncilforthenewNWTHealthandSocialServicesAuthority.Theirinputwillbecriticalinensuringwegetitright.TheMinisterhaskeptAboriginalleadersinformedandsoughttheirviewsatgatheringsinApril2015andMay2016,atAssembliesandatgovernment‐to‐governmentmeetings.

TheDepartmentisreceivingsupportfromtheCanadianFoundationforHealthcareImprovementtodevelopafive‐yearactionplan.

     

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E. Justice(TRCRecommendations25‐42and55v,viandvii)

APanTerritorialProjectledbytheGNWThascollectedasignificant

amountofdatainallthreeterritories,andapreliminaryreporthasbeendeveloped.Theterritorieswillnowfocusonconnectingthedataandeachwilldevelopanevidencebasedcrimepreventionprojectorinitiative.TheNWThasidentifiedtraumainformedapproachestofutureprogramdevelopmentasthefocusoftheirproject.

The“NewDay”programwassuccessfullypilotedandevaluatedwithplansnowbeingdevelopedtoimplementtheprogramin2017.

TheCorrectionsservicecontinuestoworktowardbuildingacurriculumaroundthetraditionalfirstnationsbasedaddictionsprogramthathasbeencreatedandnowfacilitatedattheSouthMackenzieCorrectionalCentre(SMCC).Onceacurriculumisestablishedandprogrammanualsare

GNWTResponse:TheGNWTiscommittedtocontinuingworktowardsreducingthenumberofAboriginal peopleincustody,andwillparticipateinnationaleffortstomonitorandevaluate progress.Thisisalong‐standingandcomplicatedissue‐addressingitrequiresthe activecollaborationofmanyentitiesincludingallGNWTsocialprogramdepartments, AboriginalGovernments,andcommunitiesatlarge.TheGNWTsupportstheTRCcallforfederal,provincial,andterritorialgovernmentsto implementandevaluatecommunitysanctionsthatproviderealisticalternativesto imprisonmentforAboriginaloffenders.TheGNWTcontinuestoexplorewaystobestaddresstheneedsofoffendersaffected byaddictions,mentalillness,FASDandothercognitiveimpairments.Thisincludes approacheswhichplaceafocusontheindividual‐andwhichaimtoaddresstheir underlyingissues–whileidentifyingandbuildingontheirstrengths.TheGNWTnotesthatitisimportanttorecognizetheindependenceofthejudiciaryin theconsiderationorimplementationoftheTRCrecommendations.

     

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created,thisprogramwillbeexpandedandevaluatedinothercorrectionalfacilitiesintheNWT.

TheWellnessCourtanditssupportingprogramarecurrentlyavailableinYellowknife.Workcontinuesonpolicyandprogramframeworkandestablishmentoflinkagestosupportsandprogramminginthecommunity.In2016‐17,theWellnessCourtprogramaddedasecondbedattheBaileyHousefacilityinordertoincreasetheabilitytoofferoffendershousingtosupporttheirwellnessplan.

TheDomesticViolenceTreatmentOption(DVTO)CourtanditssupportingPARTNERprogramarecurrentlyavailableinYellowknifeandHayRiver.DVTOCourtalsositsinBehchokö,andresidentscanattendthePARTNERprograminYellowknife.ResidentsofK’atl’odeecheandEnterprisemayalsoparticipateintheHayRiverprogram.In2016‐17,theDepartmentofJusticeisexaminingthefeasibilityoffurtherexpandingtheDVTOCourttoothercommunities.AnydecisiontoexpandtheDVTOCourtwouldultimatelybemadebythejudiciaryoftheTerritorialCourt,andwouldneedtotakeintoconsiderationtheavailablyofothersupportsandprogramminginanycommunitybeingconsidered.

AnIntegratedCaseManagementPilotprojecthasindicatedthathousing,anditsassociatedissues,isthemostcommonneedforclients.Aworkinggroupisanalyzingthefactorsthatcontributetohousingneedsanddiscussingoptionstoholisticallyaddresstheissue,aswellaseachdepartment’srole.

IntheNWT,8communityorganizationsprovidelocal/regionalVictimServicesprograms.Programcoordinatorsandvolunteersprovidevictimsofcrimewithinformation,assistance,supportandreferrals.

TheNWTVictimServicesprogramrecentlyreceivedrenewedfundingfromtheDepartmentofJusticeCanada’sVictimsFundforfiscalyears2016‐2021tocontinuedeliveringservicestoNWTresidentsaffectedbycrime.

SincetheYouthCriminalJusticeActcameintoforceonApril1,2003,countsofyouthincustodyhavedecreased.In2002‐03,theaveragecountintheNWTwasapproximately45.AsofApril25,2016,therewere4.(CanadianCenterforJusticeStatisticsBeyond20/20–Youthcorrectionalservices,averagecountsofyoungpersonsinprovincialandterritorialcorrectionalservices,annual–forNWTonly.)

     

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G. RoyalProclamationandCovenantofReconciliation(TRCRecommendations45‐46)

Ongoing–TheGNWTcontinuestomakethenegotiationand

implementationofAboriginalrightsagreementsapriority.TheGNWTiscurrentlyengagedinthenegotiationofAboriginalrightsagreements,andparticipatesalongwithitstreatypartnersintheimplementationoffiveland,resourcesandself‐governmentagreements.

OnSeptember1,2016,theDélįnęFinalSelf‐governmentAgreementcameintoeffect,creatingthefirstcommunity‐basedAboriginalpublicgovernmentintheNWT.TheGNWTwillworkcollaborativelywithCanadaandtheDelınęGot’įnęGovernmentontheimplementationoftheagreement.

TheleadershipofmanyAboriginalGovernmentsandmembersoftheExecutiveCouncilcontinuetomeetbilaterallyonaregularbasisasapartofIntergovernmentalCooperationAgreements.

TheDepartmentofAboriginalAffairsandIntergovernmentalRelationscontinuestoimplement‘Respect,RecognitionandResponsibility’.

GNWTResponse:TheGNWTrecognizesthataRoyalProclamationofReconciliationcouldreaffirmthenationtonationrelationshipbetweenAboriginalpeoplesandtheCrown,andserveto furtherreconciliation.TheGNWTappreciatesthataRoyalProclamationwouldserveas alastingtestamenttotheimportanceofreconciliationandshouldbecarefully considered.

     

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K. ProfessionalDevelopmentandTrainingforPublicServants(TRCRecommendation57)

AllGNWTemployeesarerequiredtotaketheAboriginalCultural

AwarenessTrainingwhichprovidesGNWTemployeeswithinformationandcontextforthecommunitiesandregionsweliveinandresidentsweserve.ItscontentisnorthernspecificandprovideshistoricalinformationongovernmentandAboriginalrelationships.ThetrainingisforGNWTemployeesandisalsoavailableforviewingbythegeneralpublic(https://my.hr.gov.nt.ca/courses/aboriginal‐cultural‐awareness‐training.Diversityandinclusionarecrucialaspectsofastrongandstablepublicservice.ThistrainingincreasesunderstandingaboutAboriginalculture,enhancesawareness,andpromotesaspiritofinclusion.ThistrainingalsoreaffirmsAboriginalvaluesandpartnershipsasakeyfoundationoftheGNWT,basedonrespect,recognitionandresponsibility.

GNWTResponse:TheGNWTisalreadyactivelysupportingthisrecommendation.

     

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M. EducationforReconciliation(TRCRecommendation62‐65)

TheGNWTisworkingwiththeNationalCentreforTruthand

Reconciliation,thegovernmentsofNunavutandtheYukon,theBritishColumbiaTeachersFederation,andtheEdmontonCatholicSchoolBoard,todevelopteachingmaterialsthataddresstheissueofchildrenwhodiedatresidentialschools.

AboriginalgovernmentscontributetotheSkills4SuccessInitiativethroughtheparticipationoftheirAboriginalSkillsandEmploymentTrainingStrategy(ASETS)managerswhoaremembersoftheSkills4SuccessAdvisoryGroup.

TheGNWTisparticipatingintherenewalofallK‐12curriculumwithAlberta,whichhasmadetheinclusionofindigenousperspectivesandhistory,includingthehistoryandlegacyofresidentialschoolsasacentralmandate.TeachersnewtotheNorthwestTerritoriestakepartinafulldayawarenesscourseonthehistoryandlegacyofresidentialschoolsaspartofaNewtotheNorthTeachersConference.

GNWTResponse:TheGNWTisalreadyactivelysupportingthisrecommendation.

     

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P. MissingChildrenandBurialInformation(TRCRecommendation71‐76)

TheCulturalPlacesProgrammanagestheNWTAboriginalGravesDatabase,whichcompilesinformationonburialsitesfoundoutsidecemeteries.Informationrelatedtoresidentialschoolburialsitescanbemaintainedsecurelyinthisdatabase.Whenappropriate,burialsitesfoundoutsidecemeteriescanalsoberecordedasarchaeologicalsitesandprotectedfromdisturbanceundertheArchaeologicalSitesRegulations.ThesignificantresourcesthatwouldberequiredforaresearchprojecttosystematicallyidentifyanddocumentunrecordedresidentialschoolburialsitesintheNWTarenotcurrentlyavailable,butexistingprocesses,asnotedabove,canbeusedtomaintaininformationandprotectsitesastheycometolight.

GNWTResponse:GNWTiswillingtoworkwithAboriginalpartners,andthefederalgovernmenttocreatearegistryandmapsofburiallocations.TheGNWTsupportstheobjectivesoftheserecommendations.