Innovation at ISC

Results-Based Innovation Network (RBIN)

The Results-Based Innovation Network (RBIN) seeks to build connections both, internal and external to ISC, with the intent to come together to share, showcase projects and respective work currently and/or formerly underway, and learn together with respect to various innovative projects and initiatives taking place across the country.

Background

The TBS Directive on Experimentation, (found in the Departmental Evaluation Plan 2020-21 to 2024-25 below), requires that Departments test new approaches, and measure impact, to instill a culture of measurement, evaluation, and innovation in program and policy design and delivery. However, given Canada's colonial history, including the impact of the Indian Residential School System, the term "experimentation" has negative connotations and is not appropriate in the context of Indigenous Services Canada. As such, ISC uses the term “results-based innovation” when referring to its progress in this area. Results-based innovation at ISC will continue to be achieved by working with Indigenous partners on new and innovative approaches to improve services and to support Indigenous peoples to independently deliver services. Recognized tools such as innovation challenges, demonstration and systems transformation projects, and recognized methods including user-centered design, behavioural insights, data analytics and modeling, gamification and open policy making, will support fostering insight, evaluation, and monitoring results-based innovation at ISC.

To foster results-based innovation at ISC, a Results-Based Innovation Network has been established to bring people together and identify opportunities for results-based innovation. This Network, specifically, engages Indigenous partners and their respective work to implement innovative initiatives to enhance a variety of services and/or their delivery.

Purpose and Intent of Network:

To provide an opportunity to learn alongside of network members to discuss what Results-Based Innovation means for Indigenous Services Canada, internal and external partners, and the type of partnerships and collaborative opportunities as a result of the growing Network.

Foster	Monitor	Report
Develop principles to guide innovation with Indigenous peoples that support a systematic culturally competent approach Provide a forum that will test & iterate ideas, as well as guidance on how to manage innovation projects	Develop and maintain a rigorous performance tracking framework for all existing projects Create clear, evidence-based guidelines for new projects and amendments to existing programs/services	SPP Sector will report quarterly to Operations and Services Delivery Committee (OSDC) on ISC Progress and twice annually to the Senior Management committee Annual MAF reporting requirements Share learnings & successes more broadly

Design

Network Leadership
The Associate Deputy Minister	The Assistant Deputy Minister of the Strategic Policy and Partnerships Sector
Membership
All sectors at Indigenous Services Canada	Regions	Indigenous partners	Interested employees

Membership Expectations

Network members are expected to:

Indigenous Services Canada Employees

Each Sector at Indigenous Services Canada must identify a representative at the management level for distributing information from the Network to their Sector. The employee will be responsible for distributing information from the Network to their Sector. Other employees of all levels are also encouraged to attend.

Representation

The Network will strive to have an inclusive, diverse, and accessible membership with key focus on Gender Based Plus Analyses

Meeting Occurrence

Monthly

Innovative Tools and Methods Starter Kit

• User-centered design

• Behavioral insights

• Open policy-making, including co-creation approaches to develop policy, programs, and services with stakeholders, civil society, citizens, and other governments;

• Staged funding approaches to enable scaling

• Outcomes-based and pay-for-performance funding, including social and development finance and Social Impact Bond-like instruments

• Gamification

• Data analytics and modeling

• Investing in pooled funds that use these tools and methods
• Toolkit Navigator - Observatory of Public Sector Innovation
• The System Innovation Initiative

Former Results-Based Innovation Network Presentations

Date	Topic	Contact	Links
September 16, 2021	Indigenous Data Sovereignty	Erin O'Sullivan	https://gcdocs.intra.pri/aanc-inac/llisapi.dll/Overview/103937503 https://gcdocs.intra.pri/aanc-inac/llisapi.dll/Overview/103939739
October 6, 2021	Digital Accelerator & Innovative Solutions Canada Program	Canada School of Public Service & Jacob Tummons LED	CSPS Digital Academy/CSPS Digital Accelerator https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/101.nsf/eng/home
October 21, 2021	COVID-19 Communications with Indigenous Peoples	Communications Branch	https://gcdocs.intra.pri/aanc-inac/llisapi.dll/Overview/103935006 https://gcdocs.intra.pri/aanc-inac/llisapi.dll/Overview/103943002
November 17, 2021	Indigenous Knowledges and Data Governance Protocol	Marissa Hill & Sara Wolfe	https://gcdocs.intra.pri/aanc-inac/llisapi.dll/Overview/103939736
January 26, 2022	AI-powered IP Innovation for Underrepresented Canadian Communities	Dr. Giuseppina (Pina) D’Agostino	https://gcdocs.intra.pri/aanc-inac/llisapi.dll/Overview/103940356
February 23, 2022	Dare to Meet the Bear - a project to apply Indigenous and decolonizing methodologies	Land and Economic Development Sector, Elizabeth MacDonald	https://gccollab.ca/groups/profile/2293903/daring-to-meet-the-bear-applying-indigenous-measurement-and-methodology-in-government
March 16, 2022	Relational Systems Thinking /Transformative Systems Change	Melanie Goodchild	https://indigenousinnovate.org/discover-i3/resources/indigenous-knowledges-and-data-governance-protocol?lang=en
April 20, 2022	Ta’n Etli-tpi’tmk and the Mi’kmaq Social Governance Initiative	Dale Syliboy, Brian Arbuthnot, Jean Knockwood & Mathilda Googoo	https://gcdocs.intra.pri/aanc-inac/llisapi.dll/Overview/103940675
June 22, 2022	Results of the RBIN Scan	Marc Fonda & Monty Moudgil	https://gcdocs.intra.pri/aanc-inac/llisapi.dll/Overview/106728434
July 14, 2022	Deconstructing Colonial Practices in the Federal Public Service	Jolene Head	https://gcdocs.intra.pri/aanc-inac/llisapi.dll/Overview/103941493
September 22, 2022	Deconstructing Colonial Practices in the Federal Public Service	Jolene Head	https://gcdocs.intra.pri/aanc-inac/llisapi.dll/Overview/110224799 https://gcdocs.intra.pri/aanc-inac/llisapi.dll/Overview/110218165
October 27, 2022	Beyond Innovation Heroics	Honey Dacanay	Enabling conditions, not just heroics | by Honey Dacanay | Medium
November 24, 2023	Rebuilding First Nations Governance Project	Carleton Centre for Community Innovation (3ci)	https://gcdocs.intra.pri/aanc-inac/llisapi.dll/Overview/107467204
January 26, 2023	On the Land Intiative	OTL Innovation Committee - Diane Bain	https://gcdocs.intra.pri/aanc-inac/llisapi.dll/Overview/110488373
February 23, 2023	Transformational Approach to Indigenous Data	Erin O'Sullivan	https://gcdocs.intra.pri/aanc-inac/llisapi.dll/Overview/110490199 https://gcdocs.intra.pri/aanc-inac/llisapi.dll/Overview/110490109

The Strategic Policy and Partnership Fund

The Strategic Partnership Fund (SPF) allows the Strategic Policy and Partnership Sector (SPPS) to advance the transfer of services to Indigenous-led organizations, and support Indigenous policy and evaluation capacities. The fund’s approach is intended to enable an expansion of partnerships, bring new voices to the table beyond traditional actors, and support innovation and capacity-building across the Indigenous public sector. SPF will strengthen ISC’s role in supporting the Department’s legislated priority to implement the gradual transfer of departmental responsibilities to Indigenous organizations.

The fund’s outcomes are different from other ISC policy programs because, unlike the other programs, this fund’s focus is to work with Indigenous partners to change ISC’s service delivery, internal policies, and begin to devolve services to those recipients. Other programs primarily focus on policy capacity of Indigenous partners for their own ends or for supporting ISC lead policy initiatives.

Project funding is intended for opportunities that support a path towards substantive equality for Indigenous peoples, the advancement of service delivery transfer, and support for Indigenous-led evaluation functions, while respecting the distinct needs of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. SPF seeks projects that support cross-cutting initiatives that can benefit more than one program, region or activity, integrate co-development initiatives (Indigenous world view/knowledge) in policy and evaluation, and support innovation and capacity building across the Indigenous public sector.

Strategic Policy and Partnership Fund Objectives and Outcomes

Strategic Policy and Partnership Fund
Funding	Objective Result	Outcome
Partnership and Innovation	Partnerships and Innovations funding, as a part of the SPP fund, will be allocated to support horizontal and cross-linked projects in partnership with Indigenous partners.	PID funding will be used to advance the transfer of services to Indigenous-led organizations, and support Indigenous policy and evaluation capacities.

SPP Contacts

• Kathleen Lemire

Program Lead, Partnerships and Innovation Directorate

Kathleen.Lemire@sac-isc.gc.ca

• Pierre Lecours

Social Policy Advisor, Partnerships and Innovation Directorate

Pierre.Lecours2@sac-isc.gc.ca

• Monty Moudgil

Social Policy Analyst, Partnerships and Innovation Directorate

Monty.Moudgil@sac-isc.gc.ca

• Shelby Loft

Social Policy Analyst, Partnerships and Innovation Directorate

Shelby.Loft@sac-isc.gc.ca