Indigenous Service Delivery Model

In 2022, CASO began operationalizing our Indigenous Service Delivery Model to improve the agency’s capacity to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families. Over the past year, our Society has focused on Indigenous staff recruitment and retention, building community partnerships, ongoing training and development, and establishing evaluations to ensure the model’s long-term success.

In alignment with the model, CASO’s Indigenous Service Pod focuses on collaborating with Ottawa’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and knowledge keepers to ensure that all services provided to Indigenous children, youth and families are culturally informed. Specifically, CASO has developed partnerships with community organizations, including:

• Inuuqatigiit Centre
• Tungasuvvingat Inuit
• Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health
• Minwaashin Lodge
• Odawa Native Friendship Centre
• Makonsag Indigenous Head Start
• Tewegan Indigenous Youth Non-Profit Housing
• Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
• Ottawa Carleton District School Board Indigenous Liaison Team
• Ontario Native Women’s Association
• Native Women’s Association of Canada
• Métis Nation of Ontario

CASO recognizes the importance of cultural integration within our organization. The Indigenous Service Pod has embraced traditional teachings and practices, such as regular Circles, smudging, quarterly professional development days, and trainings based on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Calls to Justice. As recommended by the Indigenous Service Delivery Model, the Pod hired a dedicated Indigenous-focused Equity, Diversity and Inclusion worker to foster cultural awareness across the agency.