Leadership Circle members: No cost | Non-members: $50 per participant
Recording available to registered participants

Session Overview
Organizations may want to build relationships with Indigenous communities but feel uncertain about where to begin, who to approach or how to make respectful first contact. The same questions can arise when an organization expands into a new region where the Nations, communities, histories and protocols differ from those it already knows.

Before an organization can welcome Indigenous employees, it needs relationships that go beyond recruitment. This session will explore how employers can prepare before reaching out, learn about the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples connected to the area, and identify relevant communities and organizations. Participants will consider how clear intentions, listening, reciprocity and consistency support respectful first conversations and relationships that continue over time.

What You'll Take Away

• Questions to help clarify why your organization wants to build the relationship
• Practical considerations for identifying who to approach and preparing for respectful first contact
• Guidance for moving from an initial conversation toward a reciprocal and sustained relationship

Who Should Attend
This session is designed for organizational leaders, Indigenous relations and community-engagement practitioners, human resources professionals, procurement teams and others responsible for partnerships or engagement with Indigenous communities and organizations. No previous knowledge of the topic is required.

Where This Work Continues
First conversations often reveal how prepared an organization really is. Indigenous Works advisors can help you get ready, from learning about the Nations and communities connected to your operations to building the internal accountability that keeps a relationship from resting on one person's shoulders.

Guest Speaker
To be announced

Leadership Circle member organizations attend every session in this series at no cost and receive reduced rates on Indigenous Works training and advisory services. To talk about where your organization is in this work, or about Leadership Circle membership, contact [email protected]