National Film Board of Canada commits to being more inclusive of Inuit culture

An individual named Stephen Puskas and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) have reached an agreement to settle a human rights complaint before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal about systemic discrimination in the workplace. Mr. Stephen Puskas is a young Inuk man who had worked at the NFB as an associate producer intern in 2017–2018.

The Canadian Human Rights Commission commends both parties in reaching this agreement. We especially honour the courage and resilience of Stephen Puskas, the complainant who has agreed to be named, for coming forward, with the support of the Center for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR).

As part of the agreement, the NFB commits to:

1. providing mandatory training, to all its employees, on Inuit History and Inuit lived experience. The NFB will work with an Inuit consultant when developing this training;
2. working closely with Inuit agencies in developing an Indigenous internship program at the NFB during the 2023–24 fiscal year;
3. working with Inuit Human Resources consultation firms and/or advisors to ensure proper outreach is carried out in Inuit communities; and
4. restating the NFB’s commitment to its Indigenous Action Plan, which references First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.

The NFB also recognizes the contributions made by Mr. Puskas in the following projects:

• Indigenous Cultural Consulting including Hothouse 12 and Ingenia
• Editing for the NFB's Indigenous Cinema webpage
• Assisting with DVD releases of Hi-Ho Mistahey!, Trick or Treaty?, We Can't Make the Same Mistake Twice, and Our People Will Be Healed
• Promoting the NFB and their work in Indigenous communities (the Wide Awake Tour in Labrador and Kuujjuaq)

The NFB recognizes that its ongoing work under its Indigenous Action Plan must continue, both internally and externally. The NFB is committed to ensuring that its messages and attitudes towards Indigenous cultures are approached in a manner that is sensitive to the diverse and multi-dimensional distinctions between different Indigenous identities, including Inuit cultures. The NFB is dedicated to lasting change and ensuring that it is egalitarian, open and diverse.

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Media Contacts

Canadian Human Rights Commission

Media Relations
613-943-9118
communications@chrc-ccdp.gc.ca

National Film Board

Lily Robert
Director, Communications and Public Affairs
l.robert@nfb.ca