Do you know what will happen within your organization when the way you work conflicts with Indigenous knowledge/perspectives?
If you answered no, then your organization could benefit from a Reconciliation Action Plan.
Did you know?
In Cree, the action of planning is called “itasiwewin”.
In Lakota, we use the word “waochekiye” for preparation, strategizing and planning.
What do we mean by Reconciliation Action Plan?
At its root, reconciliation is about resolving conflict. Conflict occurs in nearly all major projects across sectors. This could be conflict in worldview, in visions for the future, in land and resource negotiations, in financial distributions, or in the daily details of project implementation. It could be with Indigenous or other partners.
A Reconciliation Action Plan is your organization’s defined path to resolving conflict and embarking on collaborations that benefit all people–including Indigenous People, which is our area of expertise.
Why is it useful?
Well, we all know that conflict and its resolution can make or break a project. A Reconciliation Action Plan can be your organization’s path toward deeper relationships with Indigenous People and other partners, and greater project success. When working in relation, you can get more creative and explore beyond constraints, opening the door to even better project solutions than your organization may have envisioned on its own.
What might go into your Reconciliation Action Plan?
- Reconciliation vision and principles
- Team capacity development plans, on things like Ethical Space, negotiation skills and cultural intelligence
- Strategies for aligning your obligations and commitments with Indigenous knowledge and perspectives
- Natural resource co-stewardship plans, including MOU and agreement development
- Tribal engagement plans, potentially featuring Indigenous facilitation for dialogue
Indigenous Engagement Institute offers educational workshops, curriculum development, Indigenous facilitation and strategic advisory services on all of the above, customized to your organization’s needs. Let’s discuss how we can best support your organization in achieving its reconciliation and Indigenous engagement goals this year.