Ontario Enhancing Safety for Workers in Indigenous Communities
Press Release
Province Improving Workplace Health and Safety in the Robinson Superior Treaty Area
January 19, 2018 11:30 A.M.
Ontario is helping to protect workers in Indigenous communities through support for an initiative that promotes knowledge of workplace health and safety.
The province is investing $281,000 in the G’minoomaadozimin (“We are Living Well”) Health and Safety Initiative to support families and create safer workplaces and communities in the Robinson Superior Treaty area. The initiative is headed by the Nokiiwin Tribal Council, a non-profit organization that provides a range of social and community services to six Indigenous communities in that area.
The initiative will:
- Strengthen health and safety in communities through hands-on training in conducting hazard assessments, supervisory responsibilities, development of hazard prevention programs, chemical safety, chainsaw use and other topics, as well as mentorship opportunities
- Foster a health and safety culture that focuses on prevention
- Develop tools using a cultural context to address peer-to-peer violence and harassment, and to foster a respectful workplace
- Empower individuals and the community through training on responding to incidents of lateral violence and harassment
- Support Indigenous communities on compliance with provincial and federal laws on occupational health and safety
- Provide training for children and youth within the school system, and awareness training before students start summer jobs
Protecting workers across the province is part of Ontario’s plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change. The plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.
Quick Facts
- The Nokiiwin Tribal Council applied for and received grant funding for the G’minoomaadozimin initiative from the Occupational Health, Safety and Prevention Innovation Program between 2015 and 2017. The initial success of the initiative led to this separate funding.
- The member communities that the council serves are located in the Robinson Superior Treaty area, near Thunder Bay.
Background Information
Additional Resources
- Read about the Nokiiwin Tribal Council
- How to protect workers
Quotes
“We recognize that Indigenous communities are one of the fastest-growing populations in Canada, and represent a vital part of our workplace of tomorrow. We must do all we can to make sure all workers across the province can go home safe and sound at the end of the day. Through this funding, we’re helping the G’minoomaadozimin initiative with its important work of ensuring safer workers and workplaces in the communities that it serves.”
Kevin Flynn
Minister of Labour
“Indigenous people are working to create new opportunities for themselves and their communities. To support their efforts, we are ensuring that they have access to culturally appropriate health and safety training. I am proud to support Nokiiwin Tribal Council and all they do to keep workers safe on and off the job.”
David Zimmer
Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
“Indigenous communities are a significant and important part of the Northern economy. Our government’s investment in Nokiiwin Tribal Council’s G’minoomaadozimin initiatives will help protect Indigenous workers in the Robinson Superior Treaty area as they work to create a culture of safety with hands-on training and focus on internal responsibility systems to make our workplaces and communities safer.”
Michael Gravelle
Minister of Northern Development and Mines, MPP For Thunder Bay – Superior North
“We are pleased to partner with the Ministry of Labour to move forward the G’minoomaadozimin – We Are Living Well initiative. This is an essential community-based health and safety initiative that has been designed to positively influence behaviours and increase health and safety culture. The programs of G’minoomaadozimin are founded on the traditional values of respect, dignity and equality, and the Seven Grandfather Teachings. By working together to create safer and welcoming workplaces, we believe that overall family and community wellness will be enhanced for our six member First Nations.”
Audrey Gilbeau
Executive Director of Nokiiwin Tribal Council
Media Contacts
Janet Deline
Communications Branch
For media inquiries only:
MOLMedialine@ontario.ca
416-326-7405
Michael Speers
Minister’s Office
416-325-6955
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