How do I connect with Indigenous communities?

How to Build Relationship?

The quality of your relationship with an Indigenous community will be measured by the effort invested and the integrity of your team. You have to realize why it is critical that a respectful relationship is fundamental to the success of any pending business partnership. If you hold onto the concept that it’s a business-to-community relationship you are developing as opposed to a business-to-business relationship, then you will be off to a good start. (From Indigenous Corporate Training - 7 Tips on Building Relationships with Indigenous Peoples.)

While the duty to consult is a hard fought for, constitutionally recognized component of resource project development, in reality it can be an onerous burden for an Indigenous community. (From Indigenous Corporate Training - Building Indigenous community capacity and the duty to consult.)

Through relationships with Indigenous people, both within and outside of your university’s context, you will be able to work in partnership with Indigenous people to bring local knowledge and Indigenous approaches into course design. (From Pulling Together: A Guide for Curriculum Developers - Building Relationships.)

Rachel Mason shares her experiences while learning from her mistakes on how to build relationships with Indigenous communities.

Indigenous Resources in Windsor

First Nations communities near Windsor

National

Associations/Foundations/Institutes

The Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians
The Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians (AIAI) is mandated as a Provincial Territorial Organization (PTO) to defend and enhance the Indigenous and treaty rights of our member First Nations.

A non-profit organization, AIAI was founded in 1969 in response to an era of oppressive policies and government practices attempting to assimilate and integrate First Nations peoples.

We provide political representation and policy analysis in areas that include health, social development, education, intergovernmental affairs, and treaty rights. We also work closely with other PTOs and the Assembly of First Nations to advocate for and advance our collective rights.

The Anishinabek Education Institute
The Anishinabek Education Institute is mandated by the Anishinabek General Assembly (Res 94/13), to provide quality education and training programs for First Nation Anishinabek communities. The Anishinabek Educational Institute will provide community based programming which will better prepare the student success in an ever changing world.

The mission shall always be by and for Anishinabek People; at our pleasure, at our pace, and by our own standards.

First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Education Association of Ontario
The First Nations, Métis & Inuit Education Association of Ontario is a subject association for educators teaching First Nations, Métis and Inuit Studies, and Native Languages in Ontario, Canada. We support and help all educators understand issues related to First Nation, Métis and Inuit Peoples in Canada as well as offer strategies for teaching this content to all learners.

The Thunderbird Partnership Foundation
The Thunderbird Partnership Foundation is a non-profit organization that is committed to working with First Nations to further the capacity of communities to address substance use and addiction. We promote a holistic approach to healing and wellness that values culture, respect, community, and compassion. Our top priority is developing a continuum of care that would be available to all Indigenous people in Canada.

Centres and Organizations

The National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Education
The National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Educaiton (NCCIE) is hosted by First Nations University of Canada, which has a 40-year history of being Indigenous-owned, operated, and controlled. The Cente is grounded in principles of respect, reciprocity, and relationship, which are understood in Indigenous ways and honoured according to Indigenous protocols and customs.

National Aboriginal History Organization
The National Aboriginal History Organization or NAHO is an internationally recognized research, publishing, and collection organization. We aim at promoting understanding of Aboriginal cultures, languages, stories, and traditions. Our website aims to connect with Aboriginal people and raise awareness about them.

Orange Shirt Day Organization
The annual Orange Shirt Day on September 30th opens the door to global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools. It is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind.

Rock Your Mocs
Established 2011, Rock Your Mocs, is best described as a worldwide Native American & Indigenous Peoples social media unity event held annually and during November National Native American Heritage Month in the U.S.A. During Rock Your Mocs, people wear their moccasins, take a photo and share them online with the hashtag #ROCKYOURMOCS which creates “an online photo album” for the world to see and enjoy. Also, individuals, organizations, businesses, schools, museums and tribes are taking the initiative to create their own independent local events too!

The Anishinabek Nation
The Anishinabek Nation established the Union of Ontario Indians (UOI) as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI was established because the Anishinabek Nation did not legally exist and a legal entity was required to enter into legally-binding agreements. The Anishinabek Nation is a political advocate for 39 member First Nations across Ontario. The Anishinabek Nation is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.

Woodland Cultural Centre
Woodland Cultural Centre serves to preserve and promote Indigenous history, art, language and culture. We welcome you to visit and learn with us as we bring the story of the Haudenosaunee people of the Eastern Woodlands to life through innovative exhibitions and programs.

International

United Nations Declaration On The Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Taking note of the recommendation of the Human Rights Council contained in its resolution 1/2 of 29 June 20061, by which the Council adopted the text of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, recalling its resolution 61/178 of 20 December 2006, by which it decided to defer consideration of and action on the Declaration to allow time for further consultations thereon, and also decided to conclude its consideration before the end of the sixty-first session of the General Assembly.

Engaging with Indigenous businesses: Indigenous owned and operated

Kahawidance
Santee Smith’s artistic work speaks about identity and Indigenous narratives. Her body of work includes 14 productions and numerous short works which tour nationally and internationally. Her commissions include choreography for the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Canadian Opera Company, North American Indigenous Games, among others.

The Indigenomics Institute
The Indigenomics Institute is an Indigenous economic advisory for public governments, Indigenous communities, and the private sector. The Indigenomics Institute focuses on four core areas in overcoming Indigenous economic barriers and addressing challenges:

Dialogue platform for Indigenous economic solutions
Economic policy / research / analysis / planning
Education / training
Partnership development

Indigenomics honors the powerful thinking of Indigenous wisdom of local economy, relationships and human values. Indigenomics is about increasing the role and visibility of Indigenous peoples in the new economy. It is about understanding indigenous ways of being and worldview. Indigenomics draws on ancient principles that have supported indigenous economies for thousands of years and works to implement them as modern practices.

GoodMinds.com is a First Nations family-owned business that is passionate about Indigenous education.

Indigenous Communities