The purpose of these protocols is to inform staff members and build capacity to respectfully and appropriately collaborate with First Nations communities and Indigenous partners.

These protocols were developed by the Indigenous Engagement team who were guided and advised by a number of First Nation/Indigenous community members, including Elders. Once all the protocols were developed, an overarching policy and procedure were drafted so that these protocols could be part of our agency’s administrative manual. Despite this we are keenly aware that having the protocols reside within an overarching policy does not replace the need to ensure that they are utilized in an appropriate and respectful fashion that goes beyond "policy”.  

The protocols and policy/procedure were finalized this summer, and we have an Indigenous Engagement Officer who is offering some staff workshops on the protocols, and who is available to meet with teams and staff members to explain them in more detail, including the teachings behind them.