FAQ
What is the Indigenous Reconciliation Awareness Module (IRAM)?
IRAM provides education for Management and Staff on the history of Indigenous Peoples and how to implement reconciliation within your workplace to foster Indigenous inclusion in New Brunswick's economy.
JEDI will help your organization to understand Indigenous history in Canada and facilitate discussions on reconciliation with you and your team so that you will be more effective in your communications and interactions with Indigenous Peoples.
The IRAM program reviews important topics like the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its Calls to Action, the Indian Act, Sixties Scoop, the Residential School Era, Indian Day Schools, and the Peace & Friendship Treaties.
How long is the IRAM program?
The module is 1.5 days of in-person training or 4 webinar sessions of 2.5 hours each, that can be delivered at your convenience.
The module includes:
KAIROS Blanket Exercise™ - A unique and participatory history lesson developed in collaboration with Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers, and educators that fosters truth, understanding, respect, and reconciliation among Indigenous and non-indigenous peoples.
1 Full-Day Training Session or 3 Webinar Sessions - Covers the historical background of Indigenous Peoples and reconciliation awareness training which includes discussion surrounding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action and reconciliation in the workplace.
How was the program developed?
This program was created by the team at JEDI in partnership with Indigenous Elders, Residential School Survivors, Residential School Survivor Support Workers, and cultural awareness delivery providers. It has been designed with a focus on the Atlantic region of Canada and reconciliation within this region.
Who should take IRAM?
Organizations, government departments, industry partners, educational institutions, and businesses of all sizes have benefited from an IRAM session since the program was created in 2017. Feedback from participants from all backgrounds has been overwhelmingly positive.
How can IRAM help your organization and what can you do to help your employees?
Enable a workplace transformation to improve the culture of your workplace.
Be more welcoming to Indigenous Peoples, value their strengths, and eliminate stereotyping and discrimination among your employees or processes.
Add Indigenous cultural sensitivity to competencies expected of all employees at every level and occupation, and implement training initiatives.
How is the IRAM program delivered?
IRAM is offered in both In-Person and Virtual Formats
In-Person Format - The duration of an in-person IRAM delivery is 1.5 days:
Day 1: (half-day starting at 1:00 p.m.) – the Kairos blanket exercise.
Day 2: (full-day 9:00 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.) – cultural awareness on various topics (history, demographics, statistics and moving forward with inclusion and reconciliation).
To provide the ideal educational experience, the IRAM has been specifically developed to be delivered only in the complete format described above attended by all participants on 1.5 consecutive days. JEDI does not offer the Kairos Blanket Exercise and the Cultural Awareness sessions separately.
Virtual Format - The duration of a virtual IRAM delivery is four (4) 2.5-hour sessions spread over 4 days:
Day 1: A virtual delivery of the KAIROS blanket exercise will run for 2.5 - 3 hours. Please keep in mind that we kindly ask for your full commitment to this time frame, as it is important that the facilitators have the full attention of all participants.
Days 2 - 4: These days will be broken down into webinars of cultural awareness on various topics (history, demographics, statistics and moving forward with inclusion and reconciliation). Each webinar will run for 2.5 - 3 hour intervals. This portion of IRAM training can be slightly flexible to accommodate varying schedule conflicts. However, it is preferred to schedule all IRAM training parts on consecutive days to ensure that clients will absorb the materials effectively. We kindly ask for your full commitment to each webinar session.
How many participants can take the training at one time?
The minimum number of participants in a group is 15 and the maximum number of participants is 30 - 35.
If the minimum number of 15 participants cannot be achieved the following options may be considered:
Partnering with other organizations/individuals to reach the minimum requirement.
Participating in a quarterly Pay-Per-Seat IRAM delivery.
If there are more than 35 participants an additional IRAM session (or multiple sessions) may be arranged.
What Language is the training offered in?
IRAM sessions are currently offered in English. The Bilingual (English/French) format is now in development.
How do I prepare for the training?
Participants will be required to sign a standard photography release form before the session. This will be included in the pre-course work that is offered prior to delivery. We may take some photos of the in-person or virtual gatherings.
It is vital that participants complete the pre-course work provided by JEDI.
Participants will be asked to complete a brief evaluation at the end of the program. Evaluation plays a key role in the teaching-learning process, helping JEDI understand the IRAM program’s achievements and enhancing its effectiveness.
What is the cancellation/modification policy?
JEDI will attempt to accommodate a request to reschedule if it is made more than 14 business days prior to the confirmed delivery date, subject to a service charge of $200.
Cancellations within 14 business days of the confirmed delivery date will result in the Client being charged half of the facilitation fee.
Cancellations within 7 business days of the confirmed delivery date will result in the Client being charged in full.
Participant numbers may be modified to a minimum of 15 up to 7 business days prior to the confirmed delivery date after which the Client will be charged for all participant spaces. Participant numbers may be increased to a maximum of 35 up to 7 business days prior to the confirmed delivery date.
Who owns the training program?
All materials shared within the context of the Indigenous Reconciliation Awareness Module are property of the Joint Economic Development Initiative Inc. (JEDI).