British Columbia Chastity Davis-Alphonse and Racelle Kooy have been instrumental in informing the design of an inclusive, trauma-informed, and culturally relevant process. Both Chastity and Racelle have extensive experience in facilitation and community engagement as well are passionate advocates for the safety, health, and wellness of Indigenous women, girls, 2-Spirit, and gender-diverse individuals.
The next several paragraphs will discuss the engagement approach and will include an overview of the following key aspects:
- Principles to inform and support engagement
- Respecting history of activism and work completed to date on MMIWG2S+
- Families and Survivors centered approach
- Culturally relevant and Trauma informed principles
- Adjusting engagement to the extraordinary circumstances of the global pandemic (COVID-19)
- Tools to support engagement
- Pre-engagement sessions to receive input into the engagement process
- Engagement sessions with MMIWG2S+ family members and survivors
- Reporting back to MMWIG2S+ engagement participants
- “What we heard” report submitted to BCAFN & AFN
Principles to inform and support engagement
The roadmap for the engagement sessions in BC has been designed with upholding the family and survivor centered approach. The purpose of the engagement sessions is to gather input on the priorities for the 231 Calls to Justice as it relates to the National Action Plan for the BC region. We acknowledge that there have been many engagement processes that have asked the family members and survivors to share their stories – these important stories have been captured and we have listened and read many of the stories that have been shared.
Additionally, we acknowledge that there has not been adequate communication since the Final Report and the 231 Calls to Justice were released in June 2019. It is important that prior to moving to engagement sessions on the 231 Calls to Justice, that there is an opportunity for “update-focused pre-sessions” with family members and survivors so they can receive updates from between June 2019-May 2021 and regarding what the next steps are. We are keenly aware that it is time for action as called for in the 231 Calls to Action and we want to ensure that family members and survivors are included in prioritizing and guiding how the Calls to Action are implemented within the BC region. The engagement processes have been designed with this information in mind and will take place between May 2021-June 2021.
Respecting history of activism and work completed to date on MMIWG2S+
- It is important that this engagement acknowledges and respects the decades of work that has been completed to date.
- There has been a long, hard, and complex path of activism and work to ensure that there are” no more stolen sisters” in British Columbia and Canada.
- The DTES Memorial March is now in its 30th year and has inspired so many more communities around Canada to join in on February 14, 2021.
- The work along the Highway of Tears (gatherings, cell phone coverage, transportation enhancements, documentaries, reports, etc.).
- The tireless work in many other communities to keep Indigenous women, girls, 2-Spirit, and gender-diverse individuals safe, healthy, and well.
Families and Survivors centered approach
- To uphold the families and survivors centered approach throughout this engagement process.
- To provide clear, honest, and transparent information to the family members and survivors.
- To acknowledge and recognize the decades of advocacy and work that has been done to date.
- Most importantly, to honour the lives of the missing and murdered loved ones.
*We also understand that there are varying views on the MMIWG2S+ National Inquiry as well as the AFN and BCAFN, we respect people’s choice to participate or if they choose not to.
Culturally relevant and Trauma informed principles
- A key component to engagement success is ensuring that the process is transparent and accountable. This means that from start to finish:
- We are clear on our approach
- Communicate how we will respectfully engage for the sessions
- Where the information will be shared and how it will be used
- Where and how we will be reporting back to participants
- We plan to use a trauma-informed approach and will use the following six principles to guide this approach:
- Safety
- Trustworthiness and transparency
- Peer Support
- Collaboration
- Empowerment, voice, and choice
- Cultural, historical, and gender issues
Two part pre-engagement process:
(1) Pre-engagement with BC First Nation organizations, leaders, advocates, activists, subject-matter experts and
(2) Update-focused pre-sessions
The first step in the engagement process is connecting with BC First Nation organizations, leaders, advocates, activists, and subject matter experts to receive input and feedback on the process of the engagement approach to ensure that we are carrying forward with this important work in an inclusive, thoughtful, trauma-informed, and culturally relevant way. These pre-engagement sessions are being held in early May and the input and feedback gathered will be woven into the engagement approach with family members and survivors.
The “update pre-sessions” will be hosted in mid-May and is an opportunity for the federal government and AFN to share what has taken place from June 2019-May 2021 with the final report and 231 Calls to Justice. As well as discuss next steps moving forward and how the regional engagement processes will inform the National Action Plan. It will provide an opportunity for family members and survivors to re-connect with this process, ask any questions they may have, and be included in the next steps for this important process.
Engagement sessions with family members and survivors
The engagement sessions will be held on the following dates:
- Friday, May 14, 2021 – 2pm-4pm
- Saturday, May 15, 2021 – 10am-12pm
- Sunday, May 16, 2021 – 10am-12pm
- Monday, May 17, 2021 – 5pm-7pm
- Tuesday, May 18, 2021 – 5pm-7pm
- Monday, May 24, 2021 – 10am-12pm
- Friday, May, 28, 2021 – 2pm-4pm
- Tuesday, June 1, 2021 – 12pm-2pm
The dates were chosen with family members and survivors in mind with a variety of days and times (morning, afternoon, evening, weekdays, and weekends) to choose from. This is to ensure that family members and survivors have the option of when they would like to engage and to ensure that they are engaging in a supportive environment. One of the engagement sessions will be specific to engage with 2SLGBTTQQIA+.
The support at each engagement session will include:
- One Elder to open and close the session in a cultural and good way.
- Two MMWIG2S+ regional coordinators from FNHA/IRSSS
- Graphic facilitator to capture the conversation visually.
- Note taker to capture the discussion.
There will also be at least two other pathways for family members and survivors to share through an online survey and an option to record their input on their electronic device and submit it online as well. This provides choice and alternative ways for voices, wisdom, solutions to be shared.
Report Back (“What we heard”)
Chastity and Racelle will be present at all the sessions and will co-author a “what we heard” report in early June. This report will capture the input for priorities, actions, and a path forward for the implementation of the 231 Calls to Justice to be implemented in BC and to be inform the National Action Plan. There will be two follow up sessions to report back to family members, survivors, and First Nations organizations, leaders, activists, advocates, and subject-matter experts on June 18 & 19, 2021. This report will then be submitted to AFN to inform the National Action Plan from a BC perspective. The report will also be emailed to all who have registered for the engagement sessions and it will be made available at the BCAFN and AFN website as well.
Tools to support engagement
- Louisa Housty, BCAFN Women’s Representative presented at the BCAFN AGM on the upcoming engagement sessions on MMIWG2S+
- Communique issued to Chiefs from AFN/ BCAFN
- Information on engagement sessions on BCAFN / AFN website
- Videos posted from Louisa Housty on MMIWG2S+ engagement sessions
- Pre-sessions with MMIWG2S+ family members and survivors to update on the Final report and 231 Calls to Justice prior to engagement sessions
- Engaging with key media contacts to communicate the engagement sessions