The Department of Social Development continues to train its child welfare staff on the recent federal legislation: An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, along with the province’s role and responsibility in reducing the number of Indigenous children in care.

In 2022, New Brunswick, as Chair of the Support Committee of the Ministers Responsible for Social Services, facilitated a presentation by Dr. Cindy Blackstock to Deputy Ministers. The focus of the presentation was on child welfare and relevant Canadian Human Rights Tribunal orders.

In 2023, a new learning module was added to Social Development’s Learning Management System. This module focuses on An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children, youth, and families. Its purpose is to familiarize all employees with the federal statutory requirements related to these communities.

The provincial government has also introduced new stand-alone child welfare legislation that recognizes the importance of the child or youth’s connection to their family, culture, language, religion, faith or spiritual beliefs and community, especially for Indigenous children and youth.

Social Development held engagement sessions with New Brunswick First Nations Child and Family Services agencies to inform the regulation-making process under the New Brunswick Child and Youth Well-Being Act.

The Department of Social Development continues to support family/kinship as the first option for children/youth.

Social Development has also introduced Professional Care Homes to provide full-time care to children with complex needs who are under the care of the Department of Social Development. The development of professional care homes aims to fill gaps that have been identified and strengthen child well-being. In a professional care home, children live with a family that has the knowledge and experience to understand the child’s complex needs. The family home is culturally appropriate for the child and clinical, traditional and community supports are an integral part of meeting the child’s complex needs.

The Department of Social Development continues to participate in a Federal/Provincial-Territorial forum that works bilaterally and trilaterally on data strategy efforts to realize proper and standardized reporting involving Indigenous children in care.

Social Development supported research related to the 2022 report titled “Review of Data and Process Considerations for Compensation Under 2019 CHRT 39”. This research was commissioned by Indigenous Services Canada with the backing of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society. Social Development facilitated collaboration between the research team and New Brunswick’s Directors of First Nations Child and Family Services to ensure their awareness and active participation in the process.

The Province provides a list of services being offered throughout New Brunswick, which assists the Jordan’s Principle Coordinators. New Brunswick has been an active partner for more than a decade.

In the Francophone education sector, there is an online module for diversity for Early Learning and Child Care Educators and Intervenors in which history, culture and language in respect of First Nations are included.

The First Nations communities and the school districts develop strategic plans for students living in a First Nations community and attending public schools. Objectives of these plans include reducing the academic achievement gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students and providing a quality educational experience that is relevant and recognizes cultural background.

In the Anglophone sector, the Mi’gmaq and Wolastoqey language curriculum levels 1 and 2 online versions have been completed to support access in smaller communities. Treaty education development partners inform the development of culturally appropriate curricula and resources regarding treaty education, residential schools, culture and history.

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development continues to build partnerships with First Nations community schools to provide a venue for on-going collaboration and a successful school experience for students transitioning to provincial schools, and to engage, inform and support First Nations community schools in the areas of provincial curriculum, assessment, professional learning, education support services, and early childhood education.

Under the Canada-New Brunswick Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, New Brunswick collaborated with First Nations organizations and communities to gain a deeper understanding of their needs and develop a comprehensive plan for early learning and childcare tailored to Indigenous children. To facilitate this important work, New Brunswick has appointed a First Nations Early Learning Specialist.

Supporting documents for the New Brunswick Early Learning and Child Care Curriculum Framework (English) have been developed and include culturally appropriate documentation developed in collaboration with First Nations programs. At the request of First Nations communities, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development works collaboratively with First Nations communities to share best practices to best support children and families.

Education Support Services has provided any documentation (with videos) to First Nations families in their mother tongue. They are also working on having their Essential Skills Program in the 13 most common languages spoken in New Brunswick as well as the Mi’gmaq and Wolastoqey languages.

In the Francophone sector, a new professional development program was introduced for Early Childhood Educators focusing on inclusion and diversity within the context of early childhood education. The module incorporates elements of First Nations culture and language and provides pedagogical resources to support educators in their practice.

In the Anglophone sector, the L’Nu Tell Me a Story program was initiated to honour and commemorate Indigenous culture. Through working in collaboration with an Indigenous Elder, educators, children and their families learn about music, songs, food and items of cultural significance to the Wabanaki people.

Exploring Literacies in Multiple Languages is developing professional learning modules to enhance educators’ understanding and provide effective strategies to create inclusive and enriching learning for all students. The focus is on acknowledging, promoting, and valuing the languages and culture of children and families including French, Indigenous, and home languages.

Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (PETL) supports institutions in addressing this recommendation through initiative funding and the Future Wabanaki Program to advance language programming at St. Thomas University and the University of New Brunswick, as well as the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design’s Wabanaki Visual Arts Program which offers a course in Wolastoqey and Mi’gmaq languages.

PETL promotes Indigenous language awareness by collaborating with the New Brunswick Public Library Service to grant New Brunswick citizens free access to published materials in Mi’gmaq and Wolastoqey.

As of June 2022, Service New Brunswick Vital Statistics will handle legal change of name requests for residential school survivors and their families by waiving the fees under the current legislation and registry system. This fee waiver applies to both legal name changes and new birth certificates and is set to be in effect for five years (from June 2022 to June 2027). Further details can be found in the government media release.

New Brunswick Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Centre of Excellence developed and launched a unique model called “Dreamcatcher” to ensure a culturally appropriate delivery of services to First Nations clients and families.

Vitalité Health Network hired a First Nations Regional Access Coordinator to oversee the coordination and effectiveness of steps taken to improve access to mental health and addiction services as well as primary care for First Nations. Vitalité Health Network is engaged in an ongoing and dynamic Community Health Needs Assessment process to identify community strengths and gaps to guide the identification of priorities that will allow the community to improve the health status of the population.

Vitalité Health Network developed a mandatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training course specifically for managers. The course includes an Indigenous Peoples module and aims to create a more inclusive environment by promoting acceptance and understanding and contributes to the retention and recruitment of Indigenous individuals within the healthcare field.

Horizon Health Network hired an Indigenous Relations Coordinator to implement the Indigenous Strategic Framework, to increase cultural safety through employee training and other initiatives and to incorporate traditional healing practices and knowledge into care.

Smudging ceremonies are available across Horizon when requested. Work is also underway to allow smokeless options for patients who are unable to transfer to a designated smudging space in hospitals. Sacred medicines (sage, cedar and sweetgrass) are available for patient use in eight out of eleven hospitals with plans to expand this to other facilities.

Horizon Health Network has begun regional work to improve discharge planning and communication between Horizon hospitals and First Nations health centres.

Health authorities are taking steps to educate their employees on residential and day schools and to increase employees’ cultural competencies. Fox example, a project called "Braiding First Nations' Culture" is intended to enhance the cultural competencies of Vitalité’s employees and builds ties with First Nations communities across the province. A learning plan has been developed allowing network employees to acquire skills, knowledge and openness toward improving cultural competencies.

Information on activities related to this Call to Action has not yet been reported.

The Government of New Brunswick (GNB) has a working group regarding Indigenous programs and policy, in order to address gaps and areas of concern (such as overrepresentation).

GNB provides a Probation Officer and Victim Services Coordinator to support the Elsipogtog Healing to Wellness Court. The court incorporates Indigenous practices and culture in addressing the root causes of crime, such as mental health and addictions. Eligible participants take responsibility for their actions and comply with a treatment program as ordered by the court. The Department of Justice and Public Safety provided a letter of support for the John Howard Society’s Intercultural Youth Initiative, an evidence-based program that aims to address risk factors to offending among at-risk youth through culturally aware and proactive supports like mentoring, experiential learning, social engagement, and personal skills development. The program will help empower youth to build on competencies and life skills to prevent problematic behaviours such as substance abuse, bullying, violence, and poor school attendance. The program is available to Indigenous youth served by the department and enrolment costs are covered by Justice and Public Safety.

The Changing Directions model for chronic repeat offenders (pilot began in 2018) includes a large component of Indigenous community engagement and the development/contracting of culturally appropriate intervention for clients. The program is now operational in four regions: Saint John/St. Stephen, Fredericton, Moncton and Miramichi.

Under the First Nations Policing Program, New Brunswick has Community Program Officers who provide a non-uniformed, alternative service delivery method by civilian members to implement programs that focus on prevention and reduction of crime through education, intervention and sustainable community engagement.

A new Pre-Sentence Report (PSR) template is now used for both youth and adults which speaks directly to addressing Gladue factors which are critical in the appropriate sentencing of Indigenous people. It includes a community narrative and a healing plan that is intended to bring a culturally specific element to rehabilitation. Training on Gladue principles has been completed by several units within Justice and Public Safety, including Crown Prosecutors, court staff and policing. This training aims to enhance understanding of reconciliation and the systemic discrimination experienced by Indigenous people in the criminal justice system.

Restorative justice is an option that is designed to connect clients who identify as Indigenous to Indigenous communities. Correctional staff, Probation Officers, and Victim Service Coordinators receive Indigenous cultural and traditional awareness training. Further work is underway to increase training of front-line staff, policy advisors and decision makers. Awakening Cultural Identity and Spirituality (ACIS) is a program for adult provincial offenders. In partnership with the John Howard Society of New Brunswick. ACIS provides an Indigenous Liaison service across the province, linking traditional Elders with offenders requesting culturally distinct services for effective reintegration.

Crown prosecutors or police may refer an individual to an alternative measures program where they feel alternative measures are sufficient to hold a person accountable for the offence committed without undermining the administration of justice or public confidence in the criminal justice system.

The Department of Justice and Public Safety has been engaged with First Nations and Justice Canada concerning funding to establish an Indigenous Court Worker program in New Brunswick. Justice and Public Safety matched funding from Justice Canada to support an Indigenous-led process to assess needs and recommend an appropriate delivery model. An initial needs assessment report was completed and presented to Justice and Public Safety and Justice Canada in June 2023.

Restorative justice is an option that is designed to connect clients who identify as Indigenous to Indigenous communities.

The Government of New Brunswick (GNB) provides a Probation Officer and Victim Services Coordinator to support the Elsipogtog Healing to Wellness Court. The court incorporates Indigenous practices and culture in addressing the root causes of crime, such as mental health and addictions. Eligible participants take responsibility for their actions and comply with a treatment program as ordered by the court.

The Department of Justice and Public Safety provided a letter of support for the John Howard Society’s Intercultural Youth Initiative, an evidence-based program that aims to address risk factors to offending among at-risk youth through culturally aware and proactive supports like mentoring, experiential learning, social engagement, and personal skills development. The program will help empower youth to build on competencies and life skills to prevent problematic behaviours such as substance abuse, bullying, violence, and poor school attendance. The program is available to Indigenous youth served by the department and enrolment costs are covered by Justice and Public Safety.

The Changing Directions model for chronic repeat offenders (pilot began in 2018) includes a large component of Indigenous community engagement and the development/contracting of culturally appropriate intervention for clients. The program is now operational in four regions: Saint John/St. Stephen, Fredericton, Moncton and Miramichi.

Awakening Cultural Identity and Spirituality (ACIS) is a program for adult provincial offenders. In partnership with the John Howard Society of New Brunswick, ACIS provides an Indigenous liaison service across the province, linking traditional Elders with offenders requesting culturally distinct services for effective reintegration.

GNB is establishing a working group to identify options to improve Indigenous-focused mental health services in correctional institutions. GNB recognizes that programs and services will need to consider specific health needs such as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and the distinct cultural, spiritual and community needs of Indigenous offenders in custody.

The Government of New Brunswick (GNB) is establishing a working group to identify options to improve Indigenous-focused mental health services in correctional institutions. GNB recognizes that programs and services will need to consider specific health needs such as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and the distinct cultural, spiritual and community needs of Indigenous offenders in custody.

Correctional Services has cultural, traditional faith-based programs and resources that are made accessible to Indigenous offenders within provincial institutions with access to Elder volunteers in an attempt to maintain or link the offender to community-based support upon release.

The Indigenous Pathways Project is designed to gauge current demography for Indigenous offenders within provincial institutions and identify gaps in holistic program service delivery.

Awakening Cultural Identity and Spirituality (ACIS) is a program for adult provincial offenders. In partnership with the John Howard Society of New Brunswick, ACIS provides an Indigenous liaison service across the province, linking traditional Elders with offenders requesting culturally distinct services for effective reintegration.

Restorative justice is an option that is designed to connect clients that identify as Indigenous to Indigenous communities.

The New Brunswick Plan to Prevent and Respond to Violence Against Aboriginal Women and Girls was released in 2017. The Government of New Brunswick (GNB) will continue to work with and engage Indigenous women through the New Brunswick Advisory Committee on Violence Against Aboriginal Women, community partners, and families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, with regards to the final recommendations from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

The Family Information Liaison Officer is a dedicated liaison between families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and other provincial agencies and services, including the criminal justice system, social services, and policing in New Brunswick.

The Aboriginal Domestic Violence Outreach Program supports Indigenous women living in or outside of a First Nations community. The Outreach Worker helps to improve Indigenous women’s access to services, provides help and information to Indigenous women in need, and increases awareness on intimate partner violence in the community.

A Coordinated Community Response pilot provides additional support for high risk and high danger cases of intimate partner violence. Teams include representation from Indigenous organizations (i.e., Gignoo Transition House).

Gignoo Transition House, a not-for-profit women’s shelter in Fredericton for Indigenous women and children experiencing domestic violence, is funded by the provincial and federal governments.

The Love Shouldn’t Hurt Campaign materials include a focus on Indigenous women with information and material translated into Wolastoqey and Mi’gmaq. The campaign has partnered with Indigenous groups to provide awareness and promote the campaign to Indigenous populations and communities.

The Victim Services Program has partnered with Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick (PLEIS-NB) to develop a directory of services for victims of abuse living in First Nations communities.

Women’s Equality coordinated an analysis of the 2019 National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the 231 Calls for Justice. Women’s Equality collaborated with GNB departments and Indigenous communities and organizations to develop New Brunswick’s response in its 2023 report entitled, Weaving Our Voices Together: New Brunswick’s Path to Safety for Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People.

The Government of New Brunswick provides a Probation Officer and Victim Services Coordinator to support the Elsipogtog Healing to Wellness Court. The court incorporates Indigenous practices and culture in addressing the root causes of crime, such as mental health and addictions. Eligible participants take responsibility for their actions and comply with a treatment program as ordered by the court.

Under the First Nations Policing Program, New Brunswick has Community Program Officers who provide a non-uniformed, alternative service delivery method by civilian members to implement programs that focus on prevention and reduction of crime through education, intervention and sustainable community engagement.

The Government of New Brunswick is undertaking a technical compliance review of its programs, policies and legislation to determine the extent to which they comply with the principles articulated in the Declaration.

Information on activities related to this Call to Action has not yet been reported.

The Government of New Brunswick has considered this Call to Action and the legal principles established by the Supreme Court of Canada in various cases related to Aboriginal title.

A National Council for Reconciliation has not yet been established. However, the Province would be in a position to provide data for 55.ii. (comparative funding for the education of First Nations children on and off reserves) and 55.iii (the educational and income attainments of Aboriginal peoples in Canada compared with non-Aboriginal people).

Correctional staff, Probation Officers and Victim Service Coordinators receive Indigenous cultural awareness training. Further work is underway to increase training of front-line staff, policy advisors and decision makers in the Department of Justice and Public Safety.

Health authorities are taking steps to educate their employees on residential schools and to increase employees’ cultural competencies.

Ongoing professional learning opportunities on Indigenous histories, traditions and current realities have been provided to all school personnel. The cultural competency professional development aims to ensure all teachers understand the Indigenous students in their classrooms.

Social workers, supervisors, managers, and foster parents who work with children in care receive cultural competency training.

The Department of Indigenous Affairs is coordinating the provision of cultural awareness training opportunities for all public servants. This will include the development of training modules on topics such as the history of Indigenous peoples in New Brunswick and residential and day schools.

In the spring of 2022, the Premier and other elected officials participated in a Blanket Exercise, which is an interactive experience that builds understanding about the shared history of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. Participants are actively involved as they step onto blankets that represent the land, and into the role of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

A Blanket Exercise was also held for employees from the Department of Indigenous Affairs and the Department of Justice and Public Safety. In addition, employees with Indigenous Affairs and the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour have participated in training sessions provided by Indigenous organizations such as the Joint Economic Development Initiative and Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn.

Topics such as the history of Indian Residential and Indian Day Schools, treaties and historical legislation, federal funding, land claims, language and culture, and current issues facing First Nations in New Brunswick are being included in learning modules for students from kindergarten to grade 12.

Professional learning opportunities on Indigenous histories, traditions and current realities have been provided to all school personnel.

Beginning in 2022, curriculum development in the Anglophone sector is now guided by the Wabanaki Holistic Education Framework which was developed by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s Council of Elders and was reviewed by representatives from Indigenous communities and educators from across the province. This framework will improve the quality and quantity of Wabanaki content across all subject areas. Wabanaki perspectives, cultures, histories and the treaty relationship are central to this work and oversight is continuously provided by Elders.

In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30), numerous initiatives were undertaken throughout the education system. These activities included students creating and wearing orange shirts in honour of Survivors of Indian Residential Schools; receiving teachings from Elders; lowering flags in front of school buildings; the creation of lesson plans and multi-media resources; professional learning delivered for teachers; and guided readings for students in Indian Residential Schools. In the Anglophone sector, this also includes fundraising for First Nations service organizations; partnering with the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack foundation; hosting Blanket Exercises; and sponsoring the Reconciliation Week activities that were delivered through the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

The Government of New Brunswick Access and Success Program provides support for key institution-led efforts, including, for example, UNB's Truth and Reconciliation Committee, UNB’s position of Piluwitahasuwin (Assistant Vice President Indigenous Engagement), the development of cultural understanding at New Brunswick Community College on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Residential Schools, and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Further contributing to the effort to inform both educators and the public, the New Brunswick Public Library Service has added a dedicated Indigenous Services Librarian position, and built a strong collection of materials on Indigenous topics, including: Residential Schools; the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Indigenous languages.

Libraries are engaged in promoting awareness of these materials to the public by promoting national programs such as First Nations Communities Reads. The New Brunswick Public Library Services has developed a Strategic Plan for Indigenous Library Services 2019-2022. The plan focuses on libraries building local connections with First Nations to guide local programming initiatives to promote Indigenous cultures, languages and histories.

The Future Wabanaki program provides funding under an Incentive Fund component to further engage faculty and staff to offer and create co-curriculum experiential learning opportunities within a course/program specific to enhancing Indigenous knowledge and cultural teachings to Indigenous students.

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All relevant records have been provided to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

All relevant records have been provided to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

All relevant records have been provided to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

The Department of Indigenous Affairs has reached out to Indigenous communities and requested the identification of representatives who can work with the department to implement this Call to Action.

The Government of New Brunswick provides annual funding to the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame to support the Sport Ambassador Program. This includes the identification and training of Indigenous sport leaders who make regular presentations to schools and communities across the province, including First Nations schools and communities.

The Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture provides annual funding and works in close partnership with Aboriginal Sport and Recreation NB (ASRNB) and other partners such as Coach NB and Sport NB to support the development of Indigenous athletes and coaches in the province. Funding also supports the provincial Indian Summer Games, Team NB preparation for the North American Indigenous Games, and annual recognition events and awards for Indigenous sport leaders.

The Government of New Brunswick supports provincial and community projects that strengthen physical literacy and increases sport participation through the GO NB Bilateral Agreement and Tourism, Heritage and Culture’s regional offices. Tourism, Heritage and Culture provides expertise and resources to help promote the Aboriginal Long-Term Development Model.

In 2022, lacrosse was included in the Niagara Canada Games as a traditional Indigenous sport and New Brunswick fielded teams in both the men’s and women’s events. The Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture’s Sport and Recreation Branch is working with Lacrosse NB in partnership with ASRNB to promote lacrosse within Indigenous communities.