Nibwaakaawin

Nibwaakaawin – Respectful Engagement with Indigenous Communities

Nibwaakaawin – meaning wisdom in Ojibwe – is a client-focused training program that builds understanding of First Nations and Indigenous rights, the evolving responsibilities of non-governmental entities to address these, and practical approaches to mitigate risk and build positive relationships with Indigenous peoples and communities. Tailored training sessions are provided by our cross-country team of associates.

WHY?

Indigenous people in Canada have unique, constitutionally-protected rights and governance structures. As recognition of these rights grows, corporations and organizations are expected to understand how to engage and negotiate with Indigenous peoples whose interests intersect with their work.

WHO?

Led by John Beaucage and Charles Harnick, a former Grand Chief and a provincial Minister responsible for Indigenous relations respectively, our roster of Associates includes highly-respected Indigenous leaders and experts representing nations and peoples from coast-to-coast-to-coast. We will assemble a training team based on the client’s individual needs.

Meet The Team

WHERE?

Training can be offered virtually or in-person, as a single session or training series. Each session is tailored to your needs, recorded, with the opportunity for additional “update” modules that can be integrated in the future to deal with changing client needs, local dynamics and the evolving understanding of Indigenous rights.

WHEN?

We’re ready to bring Nibwaakaawin to your team when you need it. We welcome the opportunity to generate a proposed training session or program based on your project brief and our standard pricing structure.

MEET OUR NIBWAAKAAWIN ASSOCIATES:

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John Beaucage

Wasauksing First Nation

Wasauksing territory, near Parry Sound, ON

John Beaucage is one of Canada’s most respected Indigenous leaders, with a tremendous depth of experience engaging with First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders and communities across Canada. He is the former Grand Council Chief of the First Nations of the Anishinabek Nation (Union of Ontario Indians) and former four-term Chief of Wasauksing First Nation. He has served in numerous leadership roles in the public and private sectors, and has been a strong advocate for Indigenous health and environmental responsibility.

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Cliff Grant

Haisla Nation

Vancouver, BC

Throughout his career, Cliff has worked at various levels of government, including Provincial and Federal, in policy analysis, capacity development and Indigenous relations. He is a leader in Aboriginal housing policy, having served as Senior Advisor, Aboriginal Capacity Development at the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Aboriginal Planner at the Vancouver Affordable Housing Agency, and presently as Director, Strategic Relations at the Aboriginal Housing Management Association.

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Ken Thomas

Pelican Lake First Nation

Saskatoon, SK

Ken Thomas is an experienced developer, consultant, and negotiator who is committed to economic development with First Nations as full partners. He has served as CEO of the Saskatchewan Indian Agriculture Program, Chairman of Aboriginal Business Canada, Chief Negotiator for the FSIN Gaming Agreement, and CEO of Agency Chiefs Tribal Council (ACTC) in Spiritwood, SK.

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Walter Manitowabi

Wiikwemikong First Nation

Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, Manitoulin Island, ON

Walter Manitowabi is a seasoned business executive and political leader whose 30+ year career includes serving as Director of Operations for the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory and Chief Executive Officer of the Union of Ontario Indians (Anishinabek Nation). He also served two terms as a Band Councillor and one term as elected Chief for his First Nation community of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory. He is currently Managing Partner of Three Fires Solutions, a consulting firm which provides high level financial and operational management supports to First Nation clients across Canada.

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Jim Doxtdator

Cayuga Nation, Six Nations of the Grand River

Hamilton, ON

Jim is a Restorative Mediator who uses the Indigenous Dispute Resolution approach in all aspects of his practice. Prior to moving into Peace Building, he worked in various governmental agencies and organizations as a Technical and Political Advisor to First Nations Leadership and their Communities across Canada.

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Leslee White-Eye

Chippewas of the Thames First Nation

Chippewas of the Thames territory, near London, ON

Leslee is a governance director with a strong background in intergovernmental affairs and Indigenous governance in municipal, provincial and federal contexts, policy development, and program evaluation using Indigenous methodologies. She is the former Chief of Chippewas of the Thames First Nation and a dedicated educator and community development practitioner.

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Charles Harnick

Toronto, ON

Charles Harnick, Q.C. has spent a career as a lawyer, negotiator, government relations specialist, mediator and arbitrator. Charles served as Attorney General of Ontario and Minister Responsible for Native Affairs (now Indigenous Affairs) from 1995-1999, and as MPP for the riding of Willowdale from 1990-1999.

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Luc Lainé

Huron Wendat First Nation

Wendake, QC

Luc Lainé is a member of the Huron Wendat Nation and former Delegated Chief within the Council of his First Nation. For the last 30 years, he has carried out his professional activities across the country within many Canadian and Aboriginal organizations as well as in the private sector.

Luc Lainé est membre de la nation Huronne Wendat et un ex-Chef délégué du Conseil de sa Première Nation. Au cours des trente dernières années, il a participé à de nombreuses activités professionnelles au sein du gouvernement fédéral, d’organisations autochtones nationales et du secteur privé.

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