Increase Awareness of Indigenous Cultures within the Justice Sector

Completed

Way Forward Commitment:

In 2018-19, our government will ensure targeted justice-sector workers receive cultural sensitivity training to ensure a better understanding of Indigenous cultures and traditions, challenge common misconceptions about Indigenous people, and improve the interactions and experiences of Indigenous people with the justice system.

What We’ve Accomplished:

  • Throughout 2018-19, the Department of Justice and Public Safety has continued to build upon efforts to provide cultural sensitivity training to justice sector workers.
    • In 2018-19, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Intercultural Competency Workshop and Intercultural Competency Workshop (Intermediate) were successfully completed by staff in the following areas: Supreme Court, including the Unified Family Court and the Court of Appeal; Provincial Court; Court Security; Family Justice Services; RNC (Patrol Division; Labrador West; Corner Brook); Victim Services; Corrections (Her Majesty’s Penitentiary; Bishop’s Falls Correctional Centre; West Coast Correctional Centre; Labrador Correctional Centre; Corner Brook Lock-up); Adult Probation; Office of the Chief Medical Examiner; Civil Law; Executive; and Policy and Strategic Planning.
    • Additionally, staff from Victim Services, RNC, RCMP, Newfoundland and Labrador Youth Centre, Her Majesty’s Penitentiary, Adult Probation, Executive, and Policy and Strategic Planning completed Indigenous Cultural Diversity Training provided by First Light in February 2019. The last two classes of Sheriff’s Officers have also received training from First Light, and new Correctional Officer recruits are also receiving training.
    • This builds upon training successfully completed by justice sector workers in the last few years, including training provided to all Crown Attorneys through the St. John’s Native Friendship Centre in September 2017, and training completed by Victim Services and the Newfoundland and Labrador’s Youth Centre.