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7 Protocols
validate and uphold community standards
and vision.
CAC members believed that by working together, they could increase Aboriginal participation in all aspects of life in North Bay. In coming together, they also believed funding could be used more effectively, service duplication could be reduced, dollars leveraged and new partnerships formed. Instead of operating in isolation or competing against each other, CAC members created a common vision and terms of reference.
Our CAC adopted the following vision:
“A community where Aboriginal and non- aboriginal service providers and community stakeholders are engaged, new relationships and partnerships are built and sustained, resulting in increased levels of Aboriginal participation in all aspects of North Bay.”
Guided by Aboriginal teachings local to the Nipissing District, CAC members developed a terms of reference addressing: vision, mission, structure, membership, meeting procedures, research philosophy, decision-making, use of sub-
Protocols pave the way forward
Networking and partnership development have become common topics in service delivery
and many organizations and networks are strengthening partnerships by using protocols, developing common forms, and forming committees made up of various community organization representatives.
Some “newer” versions of these supports were also identified during our research: protocols aimed at fostering communication and conflict resolution; agreements regarding housing, i.e.
committees, confidentiality and conflict resolution. Reaching agreement on these matters meant that a shared vision, philosophy and approach facilitated decision-making and priority-setting throughout the project. For example, community service providers, both Aboriginal and non-aboriginal, came together to set a standard for how Aboriginal clients will experience their services.
The terms of reference also became the basis for the research and ethical protocols we developed to guide our work with partners. As mentioned, we used the USAI Research Framework for guidance. Given the history of colonial incursions into Indigenous communities and the subsequent
loss of ownership and control, this framework provides the “DOs and DON’Ts” for protecting and strengthening Aboriginal communities as authors and owners of the research process and promotes cultural safety throughout.
It is important for us to stress that while we created written protocols describing mutual expectations and responsibilities in order to promote shared understanding, the standards and expectations reflected were not new to us. The written protocols formalized longstanding Aboriginal community values.
rent supplement money; common intake forms across agencies to reduce repetition for clients; referral committees that agree to consolidate and coordinate access to support spaces, etc.
The benefits of using these kinds of protocols are numerous, including strengthened partnerships— able to withstand staffing, program or funding changes. There is also great potential for organizations to work together to set cultural safety standards, which is where the field is heading.
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