Reconciliation Begins with Me

Reconciliation and renewed relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples is a priority for practically every government in Canada. To support these efforts, IPAC offers a one-day course especially for public sector employees. It’s designed for those who want to start deepening their professional knowledge about the history and current state of Indigenous-Canadian relationships and contribute personally and professionally to renewing relationships. About the workshop Designed by public service experts for public servants and informed by Indigenous advisors, the workshop was developed as a collaborative effort between IPAC and the Canada School of Public Service in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action #57.

In a supportive setting, participants are:  

• introduced to the rich diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada and in their region, and the cultural competencies required to work well with them; gain essential knowledge about our shared history and the human, social and economic effects of past government policies and practices;

• begin to build a personal and professional plan for contributing to positive change. 

• Teaching support from a local Elder and inclusion of a local guest speaker help ensure the learning is relevant for your locale. The workshop is available in English and French. 

The workshop’s designer and lead English facilitator is Catherine MacQuarrie. Catherine is an Assistant Deputy Minister in the Government of Canada and a Metis woman born in Alberta and raised in Nunavut and the NWT. Currently she is IPAC’s Senior Executive in Residence, Indigenous Government Programs. Catherine has many years’ experience working for Indigenous organizations and for federal and territorial governments in a variety of departments, including 6 years with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada.