COVID-19 update for correctional employees: January 27, 2023

I am delighted to have attended virtually a special recognition ceremony in Saskatoon yesterday. Several employees received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, as well as the Correctional Exemplary Service Medal. The Donald R. Yeomans Award for Values and Ethics was presented to Cindy Gee, District Director of the Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Ontario District in the Prairie Region. Congratulations to all our recipients. I am always so proud to be part of the celebrations that recognize and thank employees for their incredible hard work and dedication. 

Read more about our formal awards on the Hub. (Internal resource only)

Black History Month Webinar

February is Black History Month. Every February, people across Canada participate in events and festivities that honour the legacy of Black Canadians and their communities. I encourage you to participate in planned activities in coming weeks.

I encourage you to attend a bilingual webinar on February 2, which is part of the Canada School of Public Service’s Anti-Racism Event Series. It will focus on meaningful engagement of Black federal public servants, and how we can all contribute to an equitable and supportive workplace where all employees feel valued.

Register for:

• Addressing Employment Barriers Faced by Black People in the Public Service: Meaningful Retention

taking place February 2, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (EST).

CSC celebrates Family Literacy Day 

January 27 is Family Literacy Day. We know that staying in touch with family can help offenders foster stronger relationships, which are important for their successful reintegration. The Canadian Families and Corrections Network (CFCN) works with CSC to provide inmates and families with letter-writing kits to keep in touch. I encourage you to support and facilitate this initiative with offenders on your caseload. The CFCN website also offers great resources to create and encourage parent-child bonding, such as their parent-child activity sheets.

To request letter-writing kits for your site, please contact :

• national@cfcn-rcafd.org

Visit the Canadian Families and Corrections Network website to download the activity sheets. 

• Canadian Families and Corrections Network

Teachings at Sagasigaa, Structured Intervention Unit 

In December, culturally relevant ceremonies were held for Indigenous incarcerated individuals at Sagasigaa, Stony Mountain Institution’s Structured Intervention Unit. The activities, which included:

• Smudging
• a Pipe Ceremony, and
• a Solstice Ceremony

were designed to help inmates on their healing journey. The men also used the Tipi, a sacred place of healing at Sagasigaa, and listened to their Elders’ Teachings. The Tipi is a major component in the ceremonies and goes hand-in-hand with reconciliation, promoting healing for the individuals. 

Thank you to the:

• Elders
• Indigenous liaison officers, and
• staff

for your thoughtful hard work in offering inmates meaningful ways to assist in their personal growth, as well as in their rehabilitation and reintegration.

Read more about the Teachings at Sagasigaa in Kudos corner. (Internal resource only)

Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Each year, Canadians and people all over the world take this opportunity to remember the victims of the atrocities of the Holocaust, and reflect on the dangers of anti-Semitism.

Thank you for your hard work and ongoing commitment to our mandate. Keep yourself healthy and stay safe!