The RCMP-Indigenous, Co-Development, Collaboration and Accountability office

Update

In March 2023, RCMP-Indigenous Collaboration, Co-development and Accountability (RICCA) completed phase one of two external engagement exercises facilitated by Indigenous contracting firm Kūwiingu-néewul Engagement Services (KES). The primary goal was (and remains) to create a way for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and organizations to comment on how RCMP-Indigenous Collaboration, Co-development and Accountability can enhance its role and address systemic barriers.

Kūwiingu-néewul Engagement Services has engaged with Indigenous organizations for phase two of the project to reflect on:

• a desire for Indigenous-led and localized training for RCMP members
• legislative reform and a modernized revision of the RCMP Act
• implementation of an RCMP Indigenous Human Resources Department
• recruitment and training to include Gender-based Analysis Plus
• localized cultural safety training for RCMP members

RCMP-Indigenous Collaboration, Co-development and Accountability is leading internal engagement on these areas of discussion.

Events

RCMP-Indigenous Collaboration, Co-development and Accountability is continuing to participate in events such as career fairs, cultural gatherings and community events.

• RCMP-Indigenous Collaboration, Co-development and Accountability attended the Odawa 44th Annual Powwow at the Canadian Police College in Ottawa on May 27 and 28, 2023. The event was well attended and RCMP-Indigenous Collaboration, Co-development and Accountability engaged with Indigenous peoples, and developed a strong connection with the Youth Job Connection Coordinator for the City of Ottawa
• RCMP-Indigenous Collaboration, Co-development and Accountability was invited to join proactive recruiters from the National Capital Region at the first annual career fair for Kitiganzibi Algonquin First Nation in Quebec on March 24, 2023
• RCMP-Indigenous Collaboration, Co-development and Accountability supported RCMP participation at Northern Lights Conference and Tradeshow in Ottawa in February 2023, to increase knowledge and strengthen relationships with Indigenous peoples. RCMP-Indigenous Collaboration, Co-development and Accountability was part of the tradeshow and highlighted the RCMP as an employer of choice in the North
• In March 2023, RCMP-Indigenous Collaboration, Co-development and Accountability promoted the RCMP as an employer of choice at the Seabird Career Fair in Agassiz, British Columbia and the Dreamcatcher's Youth Conference in Chase First Nation, British Columbia

Indigenous Career Navigator Program

Indigenous Career Navigators Program is an innovative Government of Canada response to the Many Voices, One Mind Report and the 2017 Indigenous Workforce Retention Survey findings. RCMP-Indigenous Collaboration, Co-development and Accountability is actively supporting Indigenous public servants within the RCMP in meeting their career objectives from a recruitment, professional development and career advancement perspective. The program offers supports such as CV and pre-screening writing, interview preparation, and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis mentorship opportunities. The program was developed by the Knowledge Circle for Indigenous Inclusion and the Indigenous Talent Resource Centre.

There are now over 60 trained Indigenous Career Navigators across all federal government departments, including RCMP-Indigenous Collaboration, Co-development and Accountability employees. Work is underway to continuously promote this support for First Nations, Inuit and Métis and to encourage the development of other Career Navigators. RCMP-Indigenous Collaboration, Co-development and Accountability will remain engaged with internal partners, including Indigenous Employee Networks, advancing collaboration opportunities to establish an Indigenous lens to Human Resources strategies.

Network engagement

RCMP-Indigenous Collaboration, Co-development and Accountability is committed to supporting Indigenous employee networks, which are valuable resources, and have attracted many First Nations, Inuit, and Métis employees to come and share experiences and ideas to promote healthy growth in the RCMP. Both the RCMP-Indigenous Employee Council (RIEC) and the Women's Indigenous Network (WIN) have been aligning themselves with internal priorities to contribute to meaningful cultural changes in the organization.

RCMP-Indigenous Collaboration, Co-development and Accountability hosted two Village Workshops: one on National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) and another in March 2023. The experiential workshop allows participants to explore their personal role in supporting the revival of the values that worked so beautifully in Indigenous villages for thousands of years. Participants also explore in-depth the effects of Residential Schools and Canada's assimilation policies. This workshop is geared to solutions rather than recrimination and is a great forum in which to ask questions.

RCMP-Indigenous Collaboration, Co-development and Accountability also offered four Healing Circles to the Indigenous Networks, Women's Indigenous Network and RCMP-Indigenous Employee Council at locations across Canada. The Healing Circles were hosted by RCMP-Indigenous Collaboration, Co-development and Accountability and facilitated by two Elders. The feedback from the attendees has been unanimously positive. Many attendees expressed how thankful they were for the Elder's guidance and felt a renewal of motivation for policing on reserve. Going forward, RCMP-Indigenous Collaboration, Co-development and Accountability will explore different ways to structure the Healing Circles, perhaps offering seasonal callouts to the entire country.

RCMP-Indigenous Collaboration, Co-development and Accountability employees also participated in the RCMP150 internal open house. This was an in-person networking opportunity for all employees as the RCMP commemorated its 150th anniversary and National Public Service Week.

Indigenous Language Act

Currently, RCMP-Indigenous Collaboration, Co-development and Accountability is developing a framework in response to the Indigenous Languages Act, Bill C-91, exploring various ways in which the RCMP can implement the Act and address solutions to barriers faced within Indigenous language revitalization. This work will be conducted through an interchange with an Indigenous organization and situated to address training, compensation and language visibility in the workplace.

Update

The RCMP-Indigenous Co-Development, Collaboration and Accountability (RICCA) office has completed five internal engagement sessions on recruitment with Indigenous employees to increase the representation of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in the RCMP, both as police officers and civilian staff. Employees provided thoughtful, lived-experience insight into recruiting. This information was provided to the National Recruitment Program to inform potential changes to policies and processes.

RICCA is engaging with Indigenous communities and organizations to better support reconciliation at the RCMP. The team is also continuing to assist with leader development of First Nations, Inuit and Métis employees.

RICCA is implementing a learning strategy that will enhance all RCMP employees' knowledge of First Nations, Inuit and Métis culture and histories. RICCA is also part of the RCMP's Intercultural Learning Strategy Working Group, which provides an Indigenous lens to RCMP learning and development programs in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action #57.

RICCA is continuing to build its team and has employees with diverse experience from inside and outside the RCMP, including employees with Indigenous lived experience.

Update

RICCA is working on recruitment projects to increase Indigenous representation in the RCMP. The projects will lead to a more diverse and inclusive recruitment process.

Efforts to recruit interested candidates from Indigenous communities and other federal departments will continue until the end of this fiscal year (March 31, 2022). RICCA is also working within the RCMP to create Indigenous focused staffing inventories and pools to support the organization in meeting and maintaining a representative workforce.

In September, RICCA hosted a learning panel for RCMP employees to recognize the historical first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and in response to Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Call to Action #57. The event included Indigenous community professionals and a retired RCMP member, elders and youth to share their journey and lived experiences related to advancing reconciliation.

RICCA is leveraging networks such as the Indigenous Lived-Experience Advisory group, the RCMP Indigenous Employee Council and the Women's Indigenous Network to seek ideas and inform staffing processes.

RICCA began outreach with other RCMP staff and other federal government departments to collaborate and align shared objectives. RICCA is collaborating with internal and external partners to continue advancing TRC # 57.