Government of the Northwest Territories

Diversity and Inclusion

An Introduction to Living Well Together

Living Well Together is a comprehensive self-directed learning program. You will get the most out of your learning experience if you have a plan and are aware of the resources and supports available to you in advance.

Training modules

The content of the training is provided within two series:

The Truth Series (Modules 2-5) focuses on awareness about colonization, residential schools and Indigenous, non-Indigenous relations. The Reconciliation Series (Modules 6-8) focuses on developing cultural sensitivity and the practice of reconciliation. Click on the title of each module to start.

Module 1 – The Journey Ahead 

  • Identifies the training goals and benefit to GNWT employees 
  • Explains the connection to the TRC report and 94 calls to action
  • Introduces to the My Path Learner’s guide used to support employees through their journey

Module 2 – Exploring the Truth 

  • Discusses colonization and how it is still present within our society and the GNWT
  • Impacts of colonization on the economy in the NWT, impact of devolution
  • Reviews historical treaties and how the GWNT is involved

Module 3 – The History of Colonization

  • Origin stories of the Cree, Dene, Inuvialuit and Metis are provided
  • Reviews the creation of policy and legislation to assimilate Indigenous peoples
  • Overview of the residential school schools and the impacts are provided. Includes introduction of foreign disease, redistribution of population, apprehension of Indigenous children, definition of genocide
  • Decolonization and power imbalances within the GNWT

Module 4 – The Residential School System in Canada

  • Implementation of residential schools in the NWT and how it differed from the rest of Canada
  • 11 personal stories from NWT Survivors are provided – Very impactful module
  • Intergenerational trauma and the continued impacts are provided

Module 5 – Negotiation & Renewal

  • Land and Indigenous rights/title are explained
  • Treaties both historic and pending are explained
  • The GNWT role in the both land and treaties is discussed 

Module 6 – Toward Reconciliation

  • Reconciliation is defined with examples of personal reflections provided as examples.
  • Reconciliation through cultural respect and safety is explained

Module 7 – Stronger Together

  • Encourages employees to put reconciliation into action
  • Provides numerous examples of reconciliation already in action within our communities and workplaces
  • Explains cultural sensitivity, respecting cultural protocols, and how it relates to our work

Module 8 – Indigenous Voices

  • Indigenous resiliency and resurgence is celebrated through varied examples found within the NWT
  • Final encouragement for employees to put a reconciliation plan into action

Emotionally challenging content

Some of the content in this training may be emotionally challenging for some. Certain content may even trigger past trauma or vicarious trauma in some learners.

Be sure to follow the self-care and vicarious trauma prevention strategies provided in Self Care and Support in the online modules.

Available supports

The Self-Care and Support tab in the top toolbar of each of the online modules provides a variety of resources to assist self-directed learners. You can access these resources at anytime from any module.

If you are feeling distressed or in crisis at any time, the NWT Help Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for any resident of the NWT at: 1-800-661-0844.

If you are a former student or Survivor of residential schools, or are a relative of a residential school student, and are feeling distressed at any point, contact one of these crisis support resources:

  • The 24 hour National Indian Residential School Crisis Line for former students: 1-866-925-4419
  • First Nations & Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line at: 1-855-242-3310
  • First Nations & Inuit Hope for Wellness Online Chat at: hopeforwellness.ca

Counselling is available across the NWT for eligible former students, Survivors and their relatives through the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program. Learn more by going to Counselling Information in the online Self Care and Support material or by calling 1-800-464-8106.

Additional resources

The following resources were developed for use by GNWT employees and managers:

My Path Learner's GuideThe My Path Learner’s Guide is the print companion to the Living Well Together online learning modules and is intended to help promote deeper learning through self-reflection and personal action-planning for putting reconciliation into practice.

Living Well Together - Manager's Toolkit: The Manager's Toolkit provides additional information to help manager's and supervisors support their employees as they complete the Living Well Together training.