Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan
Project
HR Policy Audit and Recommendations Report
Area
Legal and Justice
Date
November 2025
Context and Need
EFSK is a provincial organization responding to the unique realities of criminalized women and gender-diverse people in Saskatchewan, where Indigenous women face some of the highest rates of over-representation and over-incarceration in the country. Because a majority of the people we support are Indigenous, and because lived and living experience is essential to meaningful justice and reintegration work, EFSK partnered with OneHoop to support the recruitment of Indigenous women and gender-diverse individuals for key staff roles. This work also included a policy review to ensure our internal practices reflect cultural protocols, support the unique needs of Indigenous staff, and strengthen our ability to attract and retain Indigenous team members.
Our Approach and Solution
As part of the scope of work, we reviewed 74 policies to get an understanding of EFSK’s current policy environment. Supported by rightsholder and stakeholder engagement and bolstered by our lived experiences and expertise in human resources, we provided EFSK with a recommendations report that is focused on supporting EFSK with the talent process to attract and retain Indigenous women and gender-diverse individuals with lived experience with the carceral system.
Outcome
15 revised policies that further Indigenous talent with their careers and nurture their health and wellbeing, backed by a supporting 20-page report detailing additional strategies and tactics for EFSK to consider.
Quote
“The policy review was designed not just to update language, but to embed cultural protocols, compassion, and mentorship into how we support our team. Our goal is to build pathways into leadership for Indigenous women and gender-diverse people, rather than relying on narrow performance-management approaches that don’t reflect their lived experience or the strengths they bring to the work.
Partnering with OneHoop helped us shift our internal practices to better reflect the realities of the women we serve and the Indigenous staff we hope to attract and retain.”