To better serve & support Indigenous People.
Cross Cultural Awareness Training.
CCAT is a 4 -day series, suitable for every workplace, non-profit organization, club, team, or school. Training increases learners’ skills, knowledge and attitudes on the history and experiences which impact Indigenous people within Canadian society.
Register here for an upcoming session:
The Benefits of CCAT.
- Build a deeper understanding of Indigenous Peoples, cultures & values
- Establish respectful, trusting relationships
- Expand on organizational policies & procedures to ensure inclusiveness for all staff & community members being served.
- Improve recruitment, outreach & retention of Indigenous employees
- Improve workplace interactions and foster inclusiveness
- Increase learner self-awareness
Contact us at culturalworker@banac.on.ca and let us know your needs so that we can provide a quote on the customizable training options available throughout the year.
Learn more about the objectives and learning outcomes of CCAT.
Purpose of the training
Although there have been many 1-day cultural sensitivity programs, communities throughout the region felt we needed to develop a more comprehensive program.
Stereotypical and inappropriate attitudes are still being demonstrated toward Indigenous people, resulting in a negative impact that resonates throughout our community and diminishes confidence and trust.
Training Objectives
This Cultural Awareness Training Program is a train-the-trainer course designed to increase the learners’ skills, knowledge, attitudes, and values of the history, experiences and events which have influenced the relationship of Indigenous people within Canadian society.
The learner will:
- Engage in activities which relate to historical and contemporary lifestyles of Indigenous people.
- Engage in experiential learning activities to further their understanding of Indigenous culture and history.
- Be provided reading materials and lectures to expand their knowledge base of the Original peoples cultures.
- Explore attitudes and values as they relate to the Original Peoples experiences of historical events.
Learning Outcomes
This four-day course is intended to create a learning process that will allow participants to gain insight into the history of this land locally and regionally from an Indigenous perspective. The scope of this project is not intended to be exhaustive but rather the beginning of a journey where participants will have a knowledge base from which to grow.
Upon completion of this four-day journey the learner will be able to:
- Confidently engage with Indigenous students and or clients through their increased awareness of Indigenous culture and experiences.
- Utilize interactive learning processes specifically focused on Indigenous people in Canada.
- Identify significant events in Indigenous relations with Canada.
- Relate new information to previous knowledge and experiences.
- Recognize attitudes and values which promote and further awareness and understanding of the role Original People play in contemporary society.
Course Outline & Overview
Introduction to Cultural Competency
Too often we are bombarded with frightening statistics enumerating the social and economic challenges faced by Indigenous people and communities in Canada today. Rather than view these statistics in isolation, Kelly believes that they are better processed when considered through a lens of cause and effect.
Beginning prior to contact and moving into modern society, Kelly will take participants through an introduction to Indigenous culture that compares what was here, what was brought here, and how those very different world views collided as the country of Canada was formed.
Participants will leave with a better understanding of Indigenous culture, a better awareness of the challenges faced by Indigenous people and communities, and an introduction to relationship building to address the history of assimilation and inequities. The concepts of Trauma Informed Care will be introduced, to assist health care professionals in providing more efficacious supports to Indigenous peoples.
Building on your competency – Part 2
This session builds on the Introductory Session to provide a richer knowledge base, and more tools for people working in Indigenous communities. This presentation assumes some level of cultural competency and allows participants to examine their own experiences and paradigms. Participation in Introduction to Cultural Competency is required for a certificate.
The session begins with small group work entitled “What Would You Have Done”. Real life scenarios are provided for participants to discuss and to examine true interactions with First Nation/Indigenous communities and people.
After a short recap of the learnings of Day One, information is then shared on a number of different topics: Diversity in Indigenous communities, Political structures in First Nation communities today, Resurgence of Ceremony – what does it mean when clients mention sweat lodges, pipe ceremonies, etc., Protocols and Relationship Building, Safety.
The workshop wraps up with additional small group work where participants can utilize the information they have learned that day to replicate healthy interactions with Indigenous people and communities.
Allyship
One of the most difficult things to do in this age of reconciliation is to be a true Ally. This workshop will help you along that journey. Starting in ceremony, the workshop will allow you to examine the true essence of an ally and to look at your own preconceived values and tenants that shape your attitudes to allyship.
Concepts such as two-eyed seeing and Indigenous world views will also be discussed. Participants can expect a safe and comfortable examination of allyship; how to use your own privilege to support those without.
Gatekeeping: How to Support Self-Identification of Indigenous Clients
Gathering data on is imperative to addressing the inequities in Indigenous Health in our region. It is also necessary to identify Indigenous clients and patients in order to provide them with culturally specific options of care.
This short workshop was created to support those who are faced with asking strangers if they wish to self-identify as Indigenous: clerks, front line workers, intake workers. The session will examine why we ask, what we should ask, who should we ask, and what to do if we’re challenged.
Certificates will be issued for completion of introduction to cultural competency, cultural competency part 2, allyship and how to support self-identification of indigenous clients.
Fees
In our efforts to bring this training to as many groups as possible, we are looking into various options for fee structures that work for everyone, while also budgeting for our training staff. Depending on your organization, fees may be waived, or minimal.
Connect with us to learn more or sign up.
Contact our Cultural Worker at 705-627-0399 or email at culturalworker@banac.on.ca . Stay tuned for more trainings being offered through BANAC – follow us on Facebook.
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