Journey of reconciliation

Manitoba Blue Cross is dedicated to providing a workplace that is respectful, inclusive and representative of the communities we serve. We embrace inclusivity and stand against discrimination.

We acknowledge that our office is located on ancestral lands in Treaty 1 territory and that the land on which we conduct business is Treaty 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 territory, and the traditional territory of Anishinaabeg, Anish-Ininiwak, Dakota, Dene, Ininiwak and Nehethowuk and the homeland of the Métis Nation.

As an organization, we are committed to the Journey of Reconciliation and doing our part to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Our goal is to focus on growth and building knowledge as an organization.
We are partners with the Winnipeg Indigenous Accord, an initiative by the City of Winnipeg that aims to make the city a better place to live based on mutual respect, equal opportunity and hope. By signing the accord, we agreed to report the results of our commitment and future goals each year to ensure continued success and development. We are also identifying opportunities to act on the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ calls for justice.
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Our actions include:

  • partnership and consultation with Manitoba’s Indigenous community.
  • development and implementation of strategies to support workforce and board representation and inclusion of Indigenous talent.
  • creation of an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion policy that conveys our support to represent the diversity of our community and leverage the full potential of every employee.
  • maintaining a diversity committee to identify opportunities to promote a respectful and inclusive workplace culture.
  • opportunity for employees to voluntarily declare their personal diversity identification to ensure we can better understand the composition of our workforce and its representation of the community.
  • honouring the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by providing employees with information and learning opportunities to further understand the history and important issues pertaining to residential schools and reconciliation.
  • creation of the Manitoba Blue Cross Indigenous Northern scholarships to support Indigenous students pursuing a career in social work or counselling, and promote diversity and inclusion of Indigenous talent in these fields.

Further to these actions, our Employee Assistance Program offers resources to help our members access support that draws on Indigenous healing approaches and traditions.
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This includes:

  • Elders – to provide cultural and spiritual guidance informed by the wisdom of their lived experience.
  • Indigenous resource consultation – to help members connect with traditional Indigenous healing support and resources in the community.
  • Sharing circles, led by Elders – to provide a safe environment and a sense of community to manage the challenges of everyday life.
  • Counsellors identifying as Indigenous or Métis – to provide therapy incorporating traditional concepts such as nature, spirituality, the circle and the Medicine Wheel.
  • “The Healing Space” in our EA Centre – to provide members with a designated area to seek healing using traditional medicines and ceremonies.
  • Interpreter services – to create access to clinical services in the Indigenous languages members speak.