Indigenous-led organizations share ideas for working closely with First Nations, Inuit and Métis elders, leaders, artisans and experts.
Building strong relationships with Indigenous communities—whether you’re planning a business event or other professional pursuit—isn’t about ticking a box or meeting minimum requirements, but rather creating meaningful work where there’s an opportunity for capacity building, says Crystal Martin, an Inuk speaker and activist.
Here, Indigenous organizations share ideas on how to include First Nations, Inuit and Métis expertise during your business events in Tkaronto a.k.a. Toronto.
1. Listen to and learn from Indigenous communities
When working with Indigenous partners, it’s important, first and foremost, that non-Indigenous people really listen.
Planners should be thinking beyond the land acknowledgement and/or asking Indigenous communities to help enhance their conference without giving anything in return. Establishing long-term relationships with Indigenous communities and really listening to them will have the most meaningful impact.
“I think people want to be a part of economic reconciliation, but it means you have to really listen and be flexible.”
– Matt LeMay, award-winning Métis filmmaker
“Métis, Inuit and First Nations are all very distinctive people with our own languages, cultures and traditions. A pan-Indigeneity approach doesn't work,” says Martin, who founded the production company Indigenous Geographic in 2022 with Matt LeMay, an award-winning Métis filmmaker. Together, they amplify the seldom-told stories of the Métis and Inuit peoples.
2. Make time for Indigenous cultural awareness training
In addition to producing documentaries and feature films, LeMay and Martin provide event planning and program development services, as well as Indigenous cultural awareness training through their Mamawii program.
“Education needs to happen with a lot of the corporate entities we work with, especially understanding protocols when you’re working with Indigenous elders. It means you have to really listen and be flexible,” LeMay says.
"Most people aren't aware of the collective impacts that residential schools, education and colonialism have had and are still having on communities and individuals. I think people want to be a part of economic reconciliation, but it means you have to really listen and be flexible,” LeMay adds.
Martin was involved in Pope Francis’ visit to Canada in 2022 to address the impact of colonization and the participation of the Catholic Church in the operation of residential schools.
“It's all about meeting the client where their needs are at,” says Martin. “We provided significant awareness training to the Church in order for them to understand the resources that are available in the North; and the languages and dialects heard during translation and interpretation during the visit.”
3. Support safe spaces that teach about the impacts of residential schools
“At DWF, we are seeing more organizations take meaningful steps toward reconciliation by creating Legacy Spaces,” says Sarah Midanik, President & CEO of The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF). Inspired by Chanie’s story and Gord’s call to build a better Canada, DWF aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
“There’s a real opportunity to engage your employee base and your audience during events.”
– Sarah Midanik, President & CEO of The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
The Legacy Spaces program is an opportunity for all organizations to create welcoming spaces for their employees, clients and guests to learn and engage with the true history of this country, learn about Indigenous peoples and cultures, and engage with how we can each commit to furthering reconciliation.
“There’s a real opportunity to engage your employee base and your audience during events—whether by committing to a Legacy Spaces partnership, inviting a speaker from DWF to speak about our work, or choosing DWF as the recipient of your fundraiser. It’s a powerful way to show your investment in truth and reconciliation,” Midanik says.
There are currently more than 100 Legacy Spaces in workplaces throughout Canada, including Steam Whistle Brewing, a brewery and event space in downtown Toronto.
One of Canada’s Big Five banks, Scotiabank, has four Legacy Spaces, including two that are open to the public—at the bank’s 392 Bay Street branch in Toronto, and 5102 Franklin Avenue in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Midanik says DWF also partners with third-party fundraisers, which helps the organization reach new audiences.
4. Make meaningful connections with Indigenous facilitators and trainers
Waaban Nang Collective, a 100 per cent Indigenous-owned and -operated company led by CEO Ginger Cote, helps to foster respectful relations between non-Indigenous folks and a network of Indigenous content creators, facilitators, trainers, conference speakers and performers.
Cote says it's helpful when those seeking Indigenous partnerships have already researched the territory where the event is being hosted, have put thought into crafting a meaningful land acknowledgement and understand protocols like giving gifts of thanks and appreciation to Indigenous speakers and facilitators.
“Pre-work is really meaningful and sets the stage for everyone to come to the space with really open minds and open hearts.”
– Ginger Cote, CEO, Waaban Nang Collective
“It’s always appreciated when gifts are relevant and culturally appropriate,” Cote explains. “For example, a tobacco gift may or may not be appropriate for everyone. It’s always good to ask questions as needed.”
“That pre-work is really meaningful and sets the stage for everyone to come to the space with really open minds and open hearts,” Cote says.
Waaban Nang Collective provides consulting and popular workshops, such as cultural safety training and the Blanket Exercise, which helps build understanding about shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. “Our facilitators are experienced professionals with established careers and years of expertise,” Cote adds.
5. Hire Indigenous speakers for your conference
Event organizers looking for Indigenous keynote speakers and workshop facilitators for Toronto-based events can turn to several trusted agencies that represent a wide range of experienced, impactful voices.
The International Indigenous Speakers Bureau (IISB) offers a diverse roster of Indigenous speakers from across Canada, covering topics such as leadership, education, health and reconciliation. Speakers Bureau of Canada is a great resource to discover First Nations,Two-Spirit and Aboriginal motivational and inspirational speakers. The National Speakers Bureau features prominent Indigenous voices like Jesse Wente, an advocate and broadcaster based in Toronto. And the Talent Bureau connects organizations with Indigenous speakers offering personal perspectives on leadership, community building, environmental stewardship and more.
6. Buy Indigenous to Buy Canadian
The “Buy Indigenous to Buy Canadian” initiative gives planners a meaningful way to include Indigenous expertise and support Indigenous entrepreneurship.
Event planners and organizations aiming to work with more Canadian suppliers can turn to the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) and its “Buy Indigenous to Buy Canadian” initiative.
This campaign showcases the important contributions Indigenous businesses make to Canada’s economy. CCIB’s Members Directory features over 1,500 Certified Indigenous Businesses, offering a wide range of goods and services—from environmental consulting to handcrafted art—giving planners a meaningful way to include Indigenous expertise and support Indigenous entrepreneurship.
