Nbisiing Cultural Competency Training

Offered in an Indigenous traditional way, the Sharing Circle, this Indigenous cultural awareness course is designed to build cultural competency and introduce concepts of cultural safety in working with First Nations, Métis and Inuit.  This immersive and interactive course provides learners with a lived-experience perspective on Indigenous culture, nationhood, the history of Indigenous peoples, including the history and legacy of colonialism, the Indian Act, Residential Schools. This course will also offer a pathway to Reconciliation, focussed on the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.  Nbisiing will provide invaluable and unique insight into the importance of Indigenous spirituality, Indigenous traditional knowledge, and ways of life.

Course topics include:

  • Traditional Opening
  • Land Acknowledgements
  • Time Immemorial
  • Indigenous Nationhood
  • Culture Clash
  • Treaties and Treaty Making
  • The Indian Act
  • Residential Schools
  • 60s Scoop
  • Being Trauma Informed
  • A Pathway to Reconciliation
  • Truth and Reconciliation
  • The TRC’s Calls to Action
  • UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
  • Culture, strength and resiliency
  • Indigenous cultural frameworks
  • Traditional Indigenous values
  • Contemporary History, 1950-present
  • Working with Indigenous peoples
  • Engaging rights-holders and local Indigenous communities
  • The Duty to Consult
  • Effective Community Engagement
  • Cultural Safety
  • Bias and Contemporary Stereotypes
  • Allyship
  • Two Row Wampum and 8th Fire Teaching
  • Closing Words and Advice

Training options:
  • Full day, immersive training
  • 6-hour course – instructor-led, virtual delivery
  • 4-hour Indigenous Awareness course – instructor-led, virtual delivery
  • Customized training, based on your needs

Includes a pre-session assignment (pre-reading and personal reflection), a wealth of online resources, and post-session/de-briefing assignment.

Feedback from Nbisiing Cultural Competency Training:

“This was the most exceptional training experience of all the public service courses I have taken.”

“This was a fantastic training. A huge thank you to the facilitators for dealing with a very painful and sensitive topic in an enlightening and positive way, even making us laugh at times with Bob’s engaging style!  Well done. I will definitely be recommending this course to others.”

“This course was amazing, loved the circle method of training as it made everyone actually pay attention. The real life experiences presented was very real and a great way to learn. The facilitators were wonderful as they spoke about lived experiences and true knowledge they knew and not something so textbook.”

“This is the best course I have taken in my 19 years with the City. This course should be mandatory to all public service employees. Can’t wait for more. The facilitators are amazing people and great facilitators.”

“Invaluable experience!  Expansive knowledge and understanding of course content. The perfect balance between hands on experiences and detailed information. Listening, sharing and participation was welcome and encouraged. Sharing felt natural and not forced or coerced.”

— Various Training Participants