OTTAWA June 1, 2021–In honour of National Indigenous History Month, the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) is proud to announce a collaboration with NVision Insight Group to offer an Indigenous cultural awareness training program for the architecture community.
The RAIC is committed to engaging in sustainable actions to foster reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Offering a cultural competency training program supports our vision to answer the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action to provide education on “the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal– Crown relations.”
“In light of the recent heart-breaking discovery of the remains of the 215 children buried at a former residential school in British Columbia, now more than ever, it is important for our community to learn and understand our collective history and the impact that residential schools and colonialism have had and continue to have on First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities across the country,” states John Brown, FRAIC, President of the RAIC.
This course is for anyone who works with Indigenous communities or organizations, anyone who employs an Indigenous workforce, anyone committed to social, cultural, or economic development, and anyone committed to a stronger Canada, a more compassionate Canada, and a Canada of empowered Indigenous communities.
The Path: Your Journey Through Indigenous Canada is a series of five online modules created by a majority Indigenous-owned company and has been developed with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis advisors and reviewers. This course will introduce you to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis ─ the three Indigenous peoples recognized in the Canadian constitution. Topics include the cultural and historical differences between First Nations, Inuit, and Métis; the evolution of the relationship between Canada and Indigenous people from pre-contact to yesterday’s headlines; stories of social and economic success, reconciliation and resilience; understanding intercultural communication in the workplace, and ways to strengthen relationships with Indigenous peoples.
The online course is completely video-based, available in English or French, and is the only course of its kind to focus in equal depth on all three Indigenous peoples: First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The course is on-demand and takes approximately 4 to 5 hours to complete with a certificate provided upon successful completion.
“It is our responsibility to build relationships with Indigenous peoples based on a recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership. Learning more about Indigenous culture, history and languages is crucial to developing a common understanding and opening the door to respectful relationships” states John Brown. “We have an ambitious goal for all members of the RAIC to complete this training. This program is one small step that we can all take together in creating a more culturally safe sector moving forward.”
RAIC members can access the full course for $100 + HST. The course is also available to others for $145+ HST.
Visit our website for more information and to register for The Path.
About NVISION
NVision Insight Group is a majority Indigenous-owned consulting company with First Nations, Inuit, Métis and non-Indigenous shareholders and staff. NVision is an authorized vendor and provider of cultural awareness training for the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB). Over the last twenty-five years, NVision Insight has grown from a small group of friends working on a single project to become one of Canada’s leading Indigenous consulting firms, with more than 100 staff and associates across the country, and offices in Ottawa and Iqaluit.
About RAIC
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada is a not-for-profit, national organization that has represented architects and architecture for over 100 years, in existence since 1907. The RAIC is the leading voice for excellence in the built environment in Canada, demonstrating how design enhances the quality of life, while addressing important issues of society through responsible architecture. The RAIC’s mission is to promote excellence in the built environment and to advocate for responsible architecture. The organization national office is based in Ottawa with a growing federated chapter model. Current chapters and networks are based in British Columbia, Alberta and Nova Scotia.