Engagement
KES was selected by the RCMP – Indigenous Collaboration, Co-Development and Accountability (RICCA) office to identify changes necessary to address Human Resource (HR) processes; to increase First Nation, Inuit and Métis representation in the police force, to increase Indigenous cultural competence and unconscious bias training amongst RCMP members, and to improve interactions of RCMP employees with Indigenous communities and peoples within the context of reconciliation.
KES worked on this legislative project to gather specific input from Indigenous stakeholders—both communities and organizations—to forge a critical path toward reconciliation through a human resource lens. This work aimed to increase Indigenous representation in the RCMP and cultivate a workforce which is knowledgeable of First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures, histories and realities, and to support a culturally safe work environment by establishing a trusting relationship with communities served.
KES took part in helping the RCMP to modernize its structures to enable Indigenous peoples to build capacity and support their vision of self-determination. Through dialogue with Indigenous communities, organizations and individuals, KES helped the RCMP to develop strategic priorities that help contribute to safer and healthier Indigenous communities and support evolving partnerships with First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.
KES promoted an open forum for engagement where stakeholder feedback was sought to identify insights and uncover underlying factors that create barriers for Indigenous peoples working in any capacity for the RCMP. Various conversations were difficult and sensitive, and KES’s facilitation team was required to navigate these challenging circumstances.
Through these meetings – which were scheduled and facilitated by KES, we were able to both increase stakeholder awareness of RICCA’s desire to change HR processes to reflect a more inclusive and modern police service as well as help build trust by actively seeking perspectives from outside the organization in various locations across Canada.
KES Facilitated a series of in-person sessions across Canada. As much of the RCMP’s jurisdiction is rural, KES sought to engage individuals in as many rural areas as possible. KES made a point to meet with various First Nations, organizations, and communities when in each location—as an example, while in Whitehorse, KES held four formal sessions, and attended Kwanlin Dün First Nation’s open house. KES hosted a variety of meetings in the following places.
- Whitehorse, Yukon
- Iqaluit, Nunavut
- Rankin Inlet, Nunavut
- Thompson, Manitoba
- Norway House, Manitoba
- Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador
