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
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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. While the other territories, for the time being, decided not to participate in the institute’s formation, the Yukon went ahead with the project and will keep the door open for their future involvement (e.g., development of joint training or research projects).

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:

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

The institute will focus on programs that are relevant to the Yukon; integrated with other programs; and recognized, accredited and transferable. This will address two broad requirements: the need for entry-level training, generic training, and position-specific training; and the need to attract, develop and retain a well-qualified workforce.

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

For information on program fees and ancillary fees related to courses, please see the Tuition & Fees page.

A Definition of Social Justice

Social justice is a lens through which we see the challenges facing individuals, families and communities.
It is a way of responding that:

 
• Values working together to find solutions.
 
• Is grounded in reality, respect and resiliency.
 
• Moves to equality of opportunity and outcome.

A social justice approach to social policy, education and training promotes equity, fairness, and inclusivity. 
This approach directs attention to root causes of inequity and works towards systemic and institutional change by:

 
• First strengthening, then empowering disadvantaged and vulnerable populations to address the social problems with which they are confronted.

The NISJ applies this definition by providing integrated training, education and research, which are some of the tools for:

 
• Working through the challenges facing northerners.
 
• Finding solutions that can move individuals, families and communities to equality of opportunity and outcome.

Governance

The institute is overseen by a Governing Council that includes the Government of Yukon, Yukon College and First Nations leaders. The council is chaired by the President of Yukon College, who reports to the Yukon College Board of Governors.
 

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

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

Training programs being offered through the NISJ with confirmed dates:

 
• 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 Training (ASIST)
 
• Core Competencies for Understanding FASD (this is as pre-requisite for any of the training under Accommodating for the Challenges of FASD)
 
• Managing Response to Threat and Aggression (MRTA) 
 
• Trauma Training

Training programs offered through the NISJ but not currently scheduled:

 
• 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
 
• Correctional Officer Qualification Training
 
• 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 – Training for Trainers 
 
• Regulatory Enforcement Compliance Training
     

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.