From Indigenous representation in Northwest Territories media, to re-thinking Inuit workplaces, self-government agreement education, and suicide prevention in Nunavut, new policy papers from emerging Northern leaders address vital issues facing the North. 

After taking part in the Jane Glassco Northern Fellowship, a policy and leadership development program for northerners aged 25-35 run by The Gordon Foundation, four Fellows have released their made-in-the-North policy recommendations: 

• Marlisa Brown, of Yellowknife, examines the understanding of self-government agreements. Reconnecting to Our Relations: The Need for Formal Land Claim and Self-Government Education in the Northwest Territories recommends digitizing land claim and self-government agreements, creating or supporting summer student and internship positions, and creating a Centre for Northern Indigenous Governance.

• Garrett Hinchey, of Yellowknife, addresses the underrepresentation of local, particularly Indigenous, journalists in W.T newsrooms. Reclaiming Our Narrative: A Roadmap to Local Participation in N.W.T. Media recommends adding a communications or journalism studies diploma to Aurora College, integrating communications and media studies into the high school curriculum, and setting hiring targets.

• Patricia Johnson-Castle, of Nain, explores the experiences of Inuit women managing staff in organizations created to serve Inuit, to understand what room there is for Inuit culture in their workplaces. Sivumulâvugut: (Re)Making Inuit Workplaces recommends making workplaces flexible, working fewer hours, reorganizing the work calendar, and training Inuit for permanent jobs.

• David Korgak, of Iqaluit, examines how Nunavut’s suicide prevention work can better serve youth in Communication is Key: A Youth-Led Review of the Government of Nunavut’s Interagency Information Sharing Protocol (IISP) for Suicide Prevention. Recommendations include making IISP training mandatory for all service providers in Government of Nunavut departments that have signed on to the protocol.

“The Fellows researched topics important to them and their communities,” explained Sherry Campbell, President and CEO of The Gordon Foundation. “Their policy papers are essential reading for northern policy makers, community leaders, and everyone interested in building a strong North.”  

Jane Glassco Northern Fellows receive policy skills training, mentorship, and networking opportunities as they undertake individual public policy research.  

The Gordon Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to protecting Canada’s water and empowering Canada’s North.  

For more information and interview opportunities please contact:

Gordon Shallard-Brown, Communications Manager, The Gordon Foundation

[email protected] 416.601.4776 ext. 230.