OUR WORK
The Ottawa Indigenous Coalition is dedicated to building and maintaining strong, respectful relationships between the Indigenous community and various levels of government, non-Indigenous service organizations, and Indigenous organizations. To truly support Indigenous people in Ottawa, we recognize the importance of the entire community working together.
OTTAWA IS A PLACE OF BELONGING
FOR ALL INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
In 2015, the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition developed a relationship model for collaborating with non-Indigenous partners in the field of mental health, which we have since applied in other areas of our work. It was first presented at an Indigenous Mental Health conference at City Hall organized by Minwaashin Lodge. This model acknowledges that for reconciliation and meaningful relationships to flourish, there must be equal respect for both Western knowledge and Indigenous knowledge. Specific outcomes are identified for each direction:
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Cultural Reclamation
One key outcome is the number of stand-alone Aboriginal programs, services and organizations that are developed and operated based on Indigenous knowledge and led by Aboriginal people.
Cultural Awareness
We increase the number of mainstream service providers that have a greater knowledge about the Aboriginal community in Ottawa and have increased their confidence in working.
Cultural Competence
Mainstream organizations have examined their own internal practices and made changes to ensure that Aboriginal community members access the services and experience a culturally safe and positive experience. In some cases that means transforming the programs that an organizationprovides to the community.
Cultural Congruence
The OAC are looking for outcomes that indicate that we know how to work with each other and have culturally competent practices. Outcomes include the number of joint programs and services that we provide and which, of these programs, are developed and run based on Indigenous knowledge.
Reconciliation Relationship
The release of the final report from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in December 2015 urged all Canadians, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to implement the 94 Calls to Action. The OAC is dedicated to advancing reconciliation and honoring the survivors of residential schools. As part of our efforts, we have collaborated closely with the City of Ottawa to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan grounded in the Calls to Action.
