Indigenous Relations

Centering Relationship Before Policy

At the heart of Indigenous relations is relationships, not transactions or checklists. True connection is built through time, trust, and presence.

This work begins with:

• respect for Indigenous sovereignty, laws, and protocols

• accountability and consistent follow-through

• a commitment to relational integrity over institutional obligation

Honour Cultural Diversity and Worldviews

Indigenous Peoples are not a monolith. There are over 630 First Nations communities in Canada alone, each with distinct:

• languages

• governance structures

• spiritual traditions

• sacred relationships and agreements with the land

Working in this space requires learning place based history, honoring local protocols, and aligning with each community’s unique priorities and ways of knowing.

Understand the Living Legacy of Colonialism

Effective engagement begins with truth. That means acknowledging the trauma still carried by Indigenous families and nations due to:

• the Indian Act

• the residential school system

• the Sixties Scoop

• ongoing systemic inequities in healthcare, education, justice, and housing

These are living legacies, just as trauma is intergenerational, so is healing.
“Truth-telling is the first step to healing.”

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Engage with the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action are not suggestions — they are a sacred roadmap for systemic change. Key areas of focus include:

• #92: Business and Reconciliation

• #57: Professional Development and Training for Public Servants

• #43-45: Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

The Power of Listening

Listening is an act of relationship and respect. Sitting in ceremony or community circles when invited and:

• listening without needing to fix, lead, or advise

• reflecting deeply before responding

Walk in Two Worlds, Lead from the Heart

You will be called to walk between colonial institutions and Indigenous wisdom systems. Learn to carry both and consider leading from:

• sacred listening

• humility

• shared leadership

• land-based connection

We are here to serve as a bridge.

Embrace the Power of Story, Sound, and Ceremony

Story and sound can bring us into a relationship with difficult truths. Policy must begin with presence.

Do Your Own Work

The journey begins within. Reconciliation is personal work. You must be willing to confront your own internalized bias.