Northern Institute of Social Justice

Northern Institute of Social Justice
Yukon College
Box 2799, Whitehorse, YT, Y1A 5K4
t. 867.456.8590; toll-free 1.800.661.0504
f. 867.456.8591
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Program Overview

Excellence in community-based research, education and training.

The Northern Institute of Social Justice (NISJ) opened in January, 2010. It is located at Yukon College in Whitehorse and works within the college structure. The institute provides training and education for jobs with a social justice-related component in several fields in:

public and First Nation governments;
non-government organizations; and
businesses.

The NISJ also conducts research related to training and education. Currently the institute is primarily Yukon-focused.

Vision

Northerners working together have solutions to the social justice challenges facing themselves and their communities.

Mission

Drawing on the north’s leadership, unique values and diverse cultures, the Northern Institute of Social Justice delivers integrated training and education programs and conducts related research in order to help employers attract and retain a well-qualified workforce; help individuals develop careers; and provide tools to help support community leadership, capacity development, and transformation of service delivery.

Background

Interest in creating the institute grew out of discussions involving the Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. At that time, the other territories decided not to participate in the institute’s formation. The Yukon, however, proceeded and will keep the door open for the future involvement of the other territories. A pan-northern training initiative is under development.

The NISJ was created in response to two primary challenges:

The difficulty that employers face in recruiting, developing and retaining employees—from entry to senior levels—in jobs with a social justice-related component.
Employees’ lack of access to Yukon-based training to enter those jobs or to develop careers.

A 2007 analysis of the potential market in the Yukon for the institute showed that there were at least 1,390 jobs with a social justice component. This represents almost eight percent of the Yukon labour force. The jobs are found in many fields, including corrections, counselling and social service delivery; investigation and enforcement; and emergency services, conservation and environmental protection, etc.

Purpose

The NISJ has two main purposes:

To broker, consolidate, develop and deliver social justice-related training and education programs.
To undertake related research.

The institute works within the Yukon College structure, thereby providing access to College programs; expertise in program development and delivery; and partnerships with other colleges, universities and training organizations.

Ancillary Fees

2012-13 Ancillary Fees pdf 21 KB

Funding

The institute is funded through the Department of Education, Yukon Government, from the federal Community Development Trust Fund. Yukon College provides office space, equipment and expertise.

Programs

Training programs delivered by the NISJ include, but are not limited to the following non-credit courses:

Accommodating for the Challenges of FASD (three training streams); completion of Core Competencies for Understanding FASD is a pre-requisite for entering any of the following training streams:
     - Accommodating for the Challenges of FASD - Justice, Safety & Protection Services;
     - Accommodating for the Challenges of FASD - Education & Training Services; and,
     - Accommodating for the Challenges of FASD - Health, Wellness, Social, and Human Services

Administrative Justice – Practice and Procedures for Decision Makers (pre-requisite for Advanced Decision Writing)

Administrative Justice - Advanced Decision-Writing

Administrative Justice – Understanding Legislation and Regulations

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills (ASIST)

Correctional Officer Qualification Training

Core Competencies for Understanding FASD (this is a pre-requisite for any of the training under Accommodating for the Challenges of FASD)

Core Competencies for understanding FASD - Training for Trainers

Loss, Grief and Healing in the Workplace - Practical Tools for Managers

Loss, Grief and Healing in the Workplace - Practical Tools for Frontline Staff

Managing Response to Threat and Aggression

Managing Response to Threat and Aggression - Training for Trainers

Regulatory Enforcement Compliance Training

Trauma Training (various programs)

Please contact the NISJ for more information about the above programs and details regarding delivery in 2012-13; and for information about other programs available through the institute. The NISJ develops and delivers training on an on-going basis in response to identified needs and requests. Information about such training is available through the College website and by calling the NISJ.