Join the Leadership Circle – Advance Indigenous Inclusion in Your Workplace

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The Leadership Circle is Indigenous Works’ signature network for organizations committed to meaningful Indigenous workplace inclusion. This community of practice brings together leaders who are ready to move beyond checkboxes and build authentic, lasting relationships with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit employees, partners, and communities.

Why the Leadership Circle Matters

Being a Leadership Circle member means your organization:

• Gains access to a supportive community of peers and experts
• Builds strategies tailored to your organization’s Indigenous inclusion goals
• Strengthens leadership understanding and engagement
• Enhances your employer brand to attract, retain, and advance Indigenous talent

The Leadership Circle is a journey. Your organization will progress along the Inclusion Continuum, moving from foundational understanding to fully integrated inclusion practices, culminating in the opportunity to achieve Employer of Choice certification.

Progress Along the Inclusion Continuum

The Inclusion Continuum is a seven-stage framework designed to guide organizations in developing Indigenous inclusion as a core competency.

Stages:

1. Indifference – Inclusion not on the radar
2. Intimidation – Compliance-focused, reactive approach 
3. Image – Public-relations-driven inclusion
4. Initiation – Recognizing inclusion as a business imperative
5. Incubation – Inclusion embedded as a core organizational competency
6. Integration – Inclusion drives internal growth and external partnerships 
7. Inclusion – Fully embraced as the cultural norm and competitive advantage
    

Your Journey:
 Leadership Circle members receive guidance, tools, and advisory support at every stage of the continuum to accelerate progress.

Employer of Choice Certification

As part of the Leadership Circle, your organization can pursue Employer of Choice certification, an exclusive recognition of excellence in Indigenous workplace inclusion.

Certification Process:

1. Initial Diagnostic Assessment – Evaluate current practices, identify strengths and growth areas
2. Certification Audit – Self-assessment followed by evaluation and recognition
    

Benefits of Certification:

• Official certificate of completion
• Authorization to use the Employer of Choice logo on communications
• Recognition as a leader in Indigenous employment and inclusion
   

Services & Support

Membership includes access to a full suite of consulting services to help your organization succeed:

• Talent Strategies: Employer brand audit, Indigenous recruitment, advancement and retention assessments
• Workplace & DEI: Cultural inclusion inventory, inclusion design and measurement, employment systems review
• Truth & Reconciliation: Reconciliation action plans, land acknowledgements, Indigenous relations policy
• Leadership & ESG: Indigenous inclusion strategy for senior management, ESG assessment, employment policy development, SME bid support 

Members also receive:

• Access for all staff to online resources and past webinar recordings
• Monthly Knowledge Capital webinars
• Recognition across Indigenous Works communications
• Preferred rates on consulting, training, and events

Fees & Commitment

Annual membership is based on organization size and includes full access to Leadership Circle benefits. Indigenous-owned organizations receive a 50% reduced rate.

How to Join

Step 1: Complete the registration form.
 Step 2: An Indigenous Works Advisor will contact you to guide your organization on the next steps along your inclusion journey.

[Join the Leadership Circle Today]

Services & First Steps

Services to Support Your Indigenous Inclusion Journey

Indigenous Works provides a comprehensive suite of consulting services to help your organization take the next best step along its Indigenous inclusion journey.

Getting Started on Your Inclusion Journey

Employer of Choice (EoC) Initial Diagnostic Assessment & Certification Audit

• Step 1: Initial Assessment using diagnostic survey and focus groups; provides a baseline report and identifies areas for growth along the Inclusion Continuum
• Step 2: Certification Audit – self-assessment and evaluation leading to Employer of Choice certification 
• Exclusive to Employer Partners 
• Recertification every 2 years
• Cost: CAD $15,000 (split into two payments of $7,500)

Indigenous Labour Market Ecosystem

• Map the Indigenous labour market in your operating regions
• Identify ideal partners for recruitment and engagement strategies

Workplace Barometer

• Confidential interviews with managers to identify barriers and opportunities 
• Produces a roadmap for leadership and staff to improve Indigenous workplace inclusion

Attract, Engage, and Retain Indigenous Talent

• Employer Brand Audit – Evaluate whether your brand resonates with Indigenous audiences and develop a narrative for your Indigenous Employment Brand 
• Growing Your Indigenous Employment and Engagement Partnerships – Build authentic, lasting partnerships using templates and systems for consistent processes
• Indigenizing Your Recruitment Strategies – Customize recruitment and onboarding for Indigenous talent, addressing bias and inclusivity
• Indigenous Advancement & Retention Report + Recommendations – Analyze retention and advancement practices, producing a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations

Building an Inclusive Workplace

• Cultural Inclusion Inventory – Audit existing cultural inclusion practices and provide recommendations for growth
• Workplace Inclusion Design & Measurement – Develop standards and criteria to assess Indigenous workplace inclusion, with workshop facilitation
• Employment Systems Review & Employment Equity Plan – Prepare Indigenous Employment Systems Review and a three-year plan

Embedding Reconciliation into Your Organization

• Reconciliation Action Plan – Co-design actionable plans for reconciliation with metrics and reporting
• Land Acknowledgements – Guidance and virtual training to create respectful, culturally informed acknowledgements
• Indigenous Relations Policy & Plan – Embed reconciliation and inclusion into corporate policy and organizational culture

Guiding Leadership and Policy for Lasting Impact

• Indigenous Inclusion Strategy for Senior Management and Boards – Equip executives and boards to support Indigenous engagement and inclusion
• Assessing Indigenous Inclusion in Your ESG Strategy – Integrate Indigenous inclusion into ESG planning and strategy 
• Developing Indigenous Employment and Inclusion Policy – Create policies that demonstrate organizational maturity and commitment
• SME Bid Response Package – Build the organizational competencies and documentation needed to compete in bids involving Indigenous communities 

Learning & Training

Instructor-led Training

Our training sessions help organizations climb the Inclusion Continuum, build knowledge capital, and enhance Indigenous employment and inclusion practices.

Foundational Topics:

• Introduction to Indigenous History & Impacts of Colonization] 
• Truth & Reconciliation 

Advanced Topics:

• Cultural Competency for Leaders
• Masterclass: ESG & Indigenous Inclusion 
• Indigenous Socio-Economics & Demographics
• Land Acknowledgements
• Recruitment & Attraction Strategy
• Indigenizing & Decolonizing the Workplace

Format:

• 60–90 minute virtual sessions (up to 100 participants 
• French translation and in-person options available 

Fees:

• Employer Partners: CAD $5,00 
• Regular Rate: CAD $7,500

[Meet with an Indigenous Works Advisor] to schedule training

Guiding Circles Facilitator Training

Guiding Circles combines storytelling, Indigenous worldviews, and holistic learning to guide clients in career development.

Step 1 – Understanding Yourself

• Explore life experiences, skills, and passions
• Two-day interactive workshop, 12–16 participants 
• Includes ten Step 1 workbooks and facilitator manual 
• Certificate upon completion 
• Workbook Price: CAD $7.50 

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Step 2 – Finding New Possibilities

• Explore career alternatives, decision-making, and goal-setting 
• Builds on Step 1, integrating Indigenous worldview and community 
• Two-day interactive workshop, 12–16 participants
• Includes ten Step 2 workbook 
• Certificate upon completion 
• Workbook Price: CAD $7.50 

[Purchase Now]

Next Steps: [Meet with an Indigenous Works Advisor] to schedule workshops or discuss learning resources

Getting Started: The Employer of Choice Journey

The certification process combines self-assessment, advisory support, and a formal audit to guide organizations along the Indigenous Inclusion Continuum.

Step 1: Initial Diagnostic Assessment (Optional)

• Conduct a diagnostic survey and focus groups with key staff
• Receive a baseline report highlighting strengths and areas for improvement
• Gain a roadmap for cultural competencies, workplace transformation, and Indigenous talent strategies
   

Investment: CAD $7,500 (Leadership Circle Member rate)

Step 2: Certification Audit

• Receive an Orientation and Training Kit with instructions, sample questions, and rationales
• Submit a 30-question self-assessment for review
• Your dedicated IW Certification Auditor evaluates the submission and recommends certification

Successful completion grants:

• Official Employer of Choice Certificate
• Authorization to use the Indigenous Works Employer of Choice logo
• Certification valid for 2 years, with recertification required 

Investment: CAD $7,500 (Leadership Circle Member rate)

The Ten-Step Certification Process

1. Membership in the Leadership Circle (required to access the program)
2. Complete an optional Indigenous Inclusion Assessment
3. Register for the Certification Audit via the Community Portal
4. Receive the Orientation and Training Kit
5. Designate an Employer Administrator and establish a cross-functional team
6. Connect with your IW Certification Auditor
7. Submit the Certification Assessment
8. Auditor reviews scores and supporting documentation
9. Certification Panel approves the application
10. Receive your Employer of Choice Certification

Investment and Exclusive Offer

• Leadership Circle Member Rate: CAD $15,000 (Invoiced in 2 parts: Initial Assessment $7,500; Certification Audit $7,500) 
• Program access: Exclusive to Leadership Circle members

Take Action

Ready to become an Indigenous Works Employer of Choice?
 Complete the registration form, and an IW Advisor will reach out to guide you through the process.