CBC/Radio-Canada has launched a three-year national Indigenous strategy to guide the national public broadcaster’s work with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

The 2024-27 plan, titled Strengthening Relations, Walking Together, includes four key areas of focus: Narratives, People, Relationships, and Truth and Reconciliation.

The implementation of this strategy will be led by senior director Robert Doane through CBC/Radio-Canada’s newly launched Indigenous Office. The office will be responsible for continued engagement and consultation with Indigenous peoples and groups, and will be a resource for the pubcaster’s internal and external stakeholders to learn about Indigenous cultures, customs and languages.

The Narratives pillar of the strategy looks at how CBC/Radio-Canada tells Indigenous stories through its news coverage and content development. Among the key initiatives outlined are plans to develop a content strategy to strengthen the pubcaster’s commitments to Indigenous news and entertainment content; encourage the use of Indigenous languages; and utilize tools such as trauma-informed journalism to reduce harm to Indigenous audiences.

The People area of focus covers the representation of Indigenous peoples within the CBC and Radio-Canada. Its key initiatives include equitable access to hiring and promotion opportunities, and professional development for Indigenous individuals; improving culturally-appropriate benefits for staff; and increasing representation of First Nations, Inuit and Métis art, culture and languages at facilities and within communications.

The Relationships pillar is focused on collaboration, with the expansion of CBC/Radio-Canada’s partnership with the Indigenous Screen Office and APTN among the key initiatives. Other initiatives include growing relationships with First Nation, Inuit and Métis Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and supporting economic reconciliation, such as utilizing more Indigenous-owned vendors.

The last area of focus is about taking meaningful action toward Truth and Reconciliation. Key initiatives include tracking progress on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s calls to action that pertain to CBC/Radio-Canada; align its guidelines with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; establish best practices to honour Indigenous identity; and “pursuing the truth regarding CBC/Radio-Canada’s role in harms against Indigenous Peoples and determining appropriate actions to take.”

As part of the three-year strategy, CBC/Radio-Canada will release a report on its implementation of the plan, including achievements and insights. CBC/Radio-Canada also has a condition of licence from the CRTC to consult with Indigenous peoples and producers every two broadcasting years, which begins in the current 2023-24 season, and will result in additional reports to the CRTC.

“This strategy provides an important framework to measure our commitment to amplifying the voices of Indigenous creators and communities, as well as our own employees and leaders at CBC/Radio-Canada,” said president and CEO Catherine Tait in a statement. “While the public broadcaster cannot right the wrongs of the past, this strategy provides us a roadmap for greater learning, collaboration and understanding for the future.”

Image courtesy of CBC/Radio-Canada