Our Policies for Respectful Indigenous Engagement and Reconciliation in Communications​

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Purpose

These policies define how our organization will honour Indigenous peoples in all communications, including newsletters, social media, and public statements. They align with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and Indigenous-led protocols, and they aim to foster respectful and reciprocal relationships with Indigenous communities.

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1. Respect for Indigenous Rights and Self‑Determination

1. Self‑Determination and Distinctiveness

   • Recognize that First Nations, Métis and Inuit are distinct peoples with inherent rights to self‑determination and their own laws, governance and cultures.

   • Treat each Nation as a sovereign partner; avoid implying that rights were "granted" by non‑Indigenous governments.

2. ​Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)

   • Obtain free, prior and informed consent from Indigenous partners for any use of their stories, images, art or names.

   • Ensure that community members understand the purpose, audiences, distribution and potential impacts of the content and that they can withdraw consent at any time.

3. Anti‑Racist and Trauma‑Informed Practice

   • Understand the intergenerational impacts of colonial policies. Avoid language that portrays Indigenous peoples solely as victims or reinforces stereotypes.

   • Use trauma-informed language and imagery; avoid sensationalism and focus on Indigenous resilience and agency.

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2. Cultural Humility, Safety and Shared Worldviews

1. Cultural Humility

   • Commit to continuous self-reflection on your biases, privileges and motivations and be open to feedback and correction.

2. Cultural Safety

   • Create spaces free from racism and discrimination by respecting community protocols, pronouns and intersectional identities

3. Two‑Eyed Seeing and Ethical Space

   • Embrace Mi’kmaw Elder Albert Marshall’s concept of Two‑Eyed Seeing: learn from both Indigenous and Western knowledge systems and use them together.

   • Foster Ethical Space by inviting multiple worldviews to interact on a foundation of mutual respect and trust.

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3. Reciprocity and Relationship

1. Reciprocal Engagement

   • Recognize the emotional, intellectual and spiritual labour of Indigenous partners and provide appropriate honoraria, gifts and support.

   • Practice self-location by introducing who you are, where you come from and your intentions, and reflect on whether a story is yours to tell.

2. Trust and Transparency

   • Build long-term relationships by investing time, attending community events when invited and maintaining consistent communication.

   • Share communication goals, budgets, deadlines and funding sources transparently.

   • Follow through on commitments and respect community timelines; avoid imposing Western deadlines.

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4. Inclusive Language and Style

1. Avoid Colonial Language

   • Use present tense when describing Indigenous peoples; avoid implying they belong to the past.

   • Do not use possessive phrases like “Canada’s First Nations”; instead say “First Nations in Canada” and refer to specific Nations by their own names.

   • Acknowledge that Indigenous peoples have always stewarded their lands; avoid whitewashing or terra nullius narratives.

2. Terminology and Capitalization

   • Capitalize Indigenous, First Nations, Métis, Inuit, Elder and Oral Tradition.

   • Use accurate Indigenous names and spellings, including diacritics, and consult community members on proper pronunciations .

3. Respect for Oral Tradition and Knowledge

   • Treat oral tradition as equal to written sources; seek permission before sharing stories or ceremonies.

   • Follow community protocols for sacred knowledge and do not publish information that is not meant for public dissemination.

4. Diversity and Dynamism

   • Avoid portraying Indigenous peoples as a single homogenous group; celebrate the diversity across and within Nations.

   • Highlight contemporary innovations and achievements to reflect that cultures are living and evolving.

5. Trauma-Informed Language

   • Avoid deficit-based narratives; focus on resilience, ingenuity and contributions .

   • Replace paternalistic verbs (e.g., “given rights”) with assertive language (e.g., “assert their rights”) .​

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5. Land and Place‑Based Acknowledgment

1. Preparation

   • Research and identify the specific Nation(s) whose territory you occupy, including treaties and place names; consult local knowledge holders and offer honoraria for their time

   • Reflect on your motives for acknowledging the land and how you will support Indigenous peoples beyond a statement.

2. Crafting the Statement

   • Acknowledge past and ongoing colonization; name the Nations and territories accurately and pronounce them correctly.

   • Use past, present and future tenses to show that stewardship continues.

   • Pair the acknowledgment with concrete actions, such as supporting Indigenous-led initiatives or encouraging readers to learn about the land.​

3. Delivery

   • Encourage staff and contributors to research their own local territories and to integrate land acknowledgments into their communications.

   • Update acknowledgments periodically to reflect deeper learning and feedback from Indigenous partners.​

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6. Consent, Intellectual Property and Data Sovereignty

1. Consent Process

   • Obtain informed consent from individuals and community representatives before including quotes, stories, images or names; outline the purpose and distribution of the content and allow time for review.

   • Respect community leadership structures when seeking permission and honour withdrawal of consent at any stage.

2. Intellectual and Cultural Property

   • Acknowledge that Indigenous peoples own their stories, knowledge and images; credit them appropriately.

   • Use agreements that clarify ownership of raw and final materials, access rights and distribution.

   • Follow OCAP® (Ownership, Control, Access, Possession) principles for First Nations data; discuss how data will be collected, used and stored.

3. Language Use

   1. Consult fluent speakers when using Indigenous languages; include diacritics and provide translations. The language remains the intellectual property of the Nation.​

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7. Building and Sustaining Relationships

1. Investing Time and Trust

   • Prioritize relationship-building before initiating projects; attend community events when invited and spend time learning from the community .

   • Recognize that trust can take months or years and may be affected by changes in staffing; maintain continuity by introducing new team members respectfully.

2. Transparent Communication
   • Engage early and regularly with Indigenous partners to align goals and avoid misunderstandings.
   • Document discussions about purpose, budget, funding sources and distribution and share these documents with all parties.
3. Respecting Protocols
   • Ask who has authority to speak for the community and follow their protocols; respect how communities choose to associate with other Nations.
   • Allow ample time for community decision-making and do not pressure partners to meet external deadlines.
4. Reciprocity and Capacity Building
   • Ensure partnerships are mutually beneficial; provide honoraria, share resources and tools and support.
5. Indigenous-led projects
   • Offer training and mentorship so that community members can develop their own communications skills and tell their stories.
6. Flexibility and Adaptability
   • Be prepared to adapt to changing community priorities, emergencies or leadership transitions.
   • Adjust project timelines and expectations as needed, recognizing that progress is not always linear.

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8. Content Creation and Collaboration

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​8. Content Creation and Collaboration

1. Co‑Creating

   • Determine the purpose and audience of each piece collaboratively; when possible, hire Indigenous writers, editors and designers.

   • Avoid over-editing Indigenous voices; involve contributors in editing and ensure their perspectives are maintained.

   • Provide drafts for community review and incorporate feedback before publication.

2. Visual and Mapping Guidelines

   • Collaborate with communities when selecting images, maps and artwork; avoid cultural appropriation and misrepresentation.

   • Use Indigenous place names and boundaries on maps and explain any contested territories to avoid implying ownership.

3. Messaging and Narratives
   • Highlight success stories, language revitalization, community achievements and innovation, not only colonial harm.
   • Ensure Indigenous partners have narrative sovereignty by telling stories in their own voices and crediting them appropriately.
4. Language and Terminology
   • Follow Indigenous-produced style guides for terminology; avoid acronyms or jargon unfamiliar to the community.
   • Include Indigenous languages with translations and phonetic guides, where appropriate.

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9. Bias Checking, Measurement and Ongoing Learning

1. Bias and Accountability

   1. Conduct regular self-assessments to identify biases, privileges and blind spots and seek feedback from Indigenous mentors.

   2. Recognize that learning involves unlearning colonial mindsets and adopting holistic, reciprocal practices.

2. Measuring Success

   1. ​Gather feedback through conversations or surveys and adapt practices based on this feedback.

3. Commitment to Education

   1. Invest in ongoing education by attending cultural training, reading works by Indigenous authors and learning local languages.

   2. Do not rely on Indigenous colleagues to educate others; take responsibility for your own learning.

4. Respect Boundaries

   1. Recognize that Indigenous communities are not responsible for solving issues created by colonization; provide support without overburdening them .