Evolution; When will we be fully evolved?
Over the years I have learned that capturing the economic benefits of federally funded capital projects relies on assuming the risk of managing and building the projects. As Bosgoed Project…
A Residential School Story
In light of the discovery of the remains of 215 First Nations children at the former Kamloops Residential School site, I wish to contribute one of my personal residential school…
Are you making a difference?
Like me, many of my Indigenous professional friends and colleagues occasionally find themselves between existential crisis and supporting community development. According to what I have read online, existential crisis occurs…
Part 3: “Never waste a crisis”
I realize this may sound like a strange thing so say, but trust me; never waste a crisis. This is vitally important simply because we learn so much from them. We learn about our people, systems, risk…
Part 2: “Leadership in the eye of the storm”
“No duff! No duff! This is not a drill.” These are not words that you want to hear. They indicate you are in a crisis. In Britain, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, this phrase is military slang and radio…
Part 1: Crisis is inevitable. Prepare for it
Years ago, people in my community used to tell my Dad I was good in a crisis. I didn’t actually hear that compliment until many years later because he didn’t share it directly with me. I remember feeling quite the opposite about myself,…
Don’t let failure lead to retreat
I have failed. So. Many. Times. In fact, I believe my failures are the reasons I’m successful. It is the reason that our WorkFirst strategy has created so many indigenous…
Indigenous Community – Industry Partnerships
“First Nations are not stakeholders on projects in their territory. They are rights holders.” I recently came across an article by Broughton Law from 2015 entitled, “First Nations-Private Sector Partnerships…
How much local indigenous labour is enough?
Last week, the CBC ran a story which focused on a growing number of construction companies who are launching Indigenous relations department's. https://www-cbc-ca.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.5969285 I commend this direction as an important…
The Importance of Job Fairs
Job fairs are vital for our Indigenous community workforce engagement process. On the 25TH OF March, I had the pleasure of delivering a keynote address at the Maskwacis Virtual Job…