The GNWT announced an Indigenous employability framework and action plan, geared at giving residents the opportunity to advance in the public sector.
This trend follows heavy criticism on the lack of Indigenous representation in the workforce and has been an ongoing debate of the legislative assembly.
“A public service that is welcoming, culturally competent, and free of discrimination; one that serves in a way that respects and includes the Indigenous peoples and communities of this territory,” says Caroline Wawzonek, minister responsible for Finance.
This plan will help develop strategies to bring Indigenous perspectives to the table within business policies, programs, and services. –While also addressing employment barriers.
According to the 2019-2020 Public Service report, about 30 per cent of the Government of the Northwest Territories’ 5,788 employees are Indigenous.
This statistic remains unchanged from the report published in 2018.
The first action plan item is to address over-inflated job descriptions in the GNWT.
“We also heard that we need to ensure we hold ourselves accountable to enact meaningful, attainable change throughout the public service, she says.”
Each department will now be responsible for creating a singular plan, to reach the goals outlined in the overall framework.
