“I know that our healthcare system will only improve with a full understanding of the history and way of life of my people. I know that our field school programs are giving these students that understanding” (Evelyn Voyageur, Project Lead)

“We needed to challenge the common view of community as the recipient of services and health care, and instead, see the community as both a resource and a teacher” (Joanna Fraser, Project Lead)

1. Why support people at all levels within the organization to participate in Field schools? Benefits and challenges

The field schools offer an in-depth transformational experience that builds authentic relationships, trust, and understanding between Indigenous people and health practitioners. This adds an important element beyond what can be achieved by online learning platforms. It requires a cost and time investment that focuses on fewer people. However, it is an advanced level of training that will give people in the organization the knowledge and relationships to drive change on a larger scale. This is why we recommend offering this opportunity strategically to select people in senior leadership positions, through to front-line workers.

2. Thoughts about partnering with Indigenous Communities

The field school offers one opportunity to partner with Indigenous Communities aimed specifically at learning and supporting processes that will inform and enhance all other partnerships. Partner organizations must commit to engaging at all levels in truth and reconciliation work. Before, during, and after the field school, Organizations will uncover and have the opportunity to address policies, processes, and internal cultures that perpetuate colonized relationships. The commitment to the field school is a commitment to being a learning organization and a willingness to engage in big and meaningful change. Preparation and planning – what resources can you offer

Practical supports that Partner Organizations can provide.

• A co-facilitator or coordinator to work with the community facilitator (s) to navigate your institutional process and communications, and to help with organizational logistics. To support preparation and follow-up activities for the participants before and after the field school.

• Support for community engagement and planning activities, hosting community meetings for planning purposes

• Providing support for Registration and travel logistics for participants, this includes covering costs, liability, and contingencies.

• Financial Resources

• Maintaining flexibility, responsiveness, and openness within the organization to respond to unexpected and new ways of working together.

3. Supporting Culture Change and Integration of Learning in the institution.

Things to consider – Following the field school, how will your organization support participants to encourage culture change, decolonization, and reconciliation within your organization?

What policies and processes do you need to consider?

Examples of changes in practice from participants.

• Participants have reported ways that they feel welcomed by the communities when they go into communities as visitors. They have come back with concrete and organization-specific ways that they can make people who come from the communities feel more welcomed in their communities.

• Participants have found ways to incorporate conversations and practices related to reconciliation into the daily routines of their organization and their relationships within the organization.

• Participants have identified polices, procedures, and institutionalized cultures that perpetuate Indigenous Specific Racism and have worked to change these in their specific organizations.

For Health and Education Institutions Leadership, Interested in supporting Field schools