WHAT WE DO

Indigenous Facilitation for Indigenous Communities

Engaging with Canada’s Indigenous communities requires a thoughtful approach that respects rights, culture and tradition.

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Engaging with respect

Counsel has led major facilitation projects involving sensitive political issues on behalf of governments, government agencies, and industry under the leadership of principal John Beaucage, one of Canada’s most respected Indigenous leaders. We provide culturally sensitive and respectful engagement with Indigenous communities that supports positive outcomes for all involved.

Government Relations

How We Can Help

Planning

We begin with an in-depth onboarding session with the core project team from all involved organizations to understand the objectives and interests, and ensure we have the information we need to make the process inclusive and culturally sensitive.

Material Development

Working together, we craft the core materials needed to run each session successfully and ensure that the identified requirements are met. These materials can include a facilitation brief, agenda, presentations, and any other communications needed for success.

Facilitation

As facilitators, we moderate discussions and challenge participants to think boldly, question any preconceptions, and guide a respectful process encouraging participants to explore creative, new directions and/or opportunities while ensuring everyone’s views are heard.

Transparency

It is critical that everyone knows their voice is being heard and that the process is transparent. Successful and meaningful engagement requires sharing a summary with all participants of what we heard. Once participants confirm that their perspectives are reflected, the summaries can feed into the development of subsequent supporting materials for future meetings and/or inform a final report.

Our Services

Other ways we can help

Government Relations

Counsel’s team of consultants know how to navigate government at all levels, across Canada. We seek win-win solutions while positioning your opportunities and challenges in ways that governments will respond to.

Strategic & Corporate Communications

Having a strategy behind what to say, how to say it, and when to say it is essential for success. Counsel offers a range of strategic and corporate communications services, including communications planning, media training, audience and investor relations, copywriting, and public relations campaigns.

Crisis Management

Our team has managed high-profile crises across industries. We go beyond crisis communications, asking the right questions and providing sound advice backed by experience, to help you navigate every aspect of a crisis.

Polling

Never has it been more important to truly understand what your audience think about your issues and how it interconnects with government priorities. We offer clients the benefit of our fully integrated in-house polling service, saving you time and money. Working with Leger, our polling experts help ensure you have the right message for the right audience. Whether you are meeting with government or trying to get your issue on the national agenda, Counsel’s fully integrated polling can ensure you have the right message in front of the right audience.

JEDI

Counsel’s JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) Consultation service offering is designed to help clients engage in constructive discussions that can pave the way for an inclusive future for your staff and broader network. Our offerings are uniquely tailored to each client’s need, and include policy and by-law review, inclusivity audits, staff training, strategic advice on anti-racism, intersectional policy analysis, and stakeholder relations.

Indigenous Facilitation

More than ever, meaningful dialogue with Indigenous communities is essential for progress on sensitive issues and everyday matters alike. Our team has the experience needed to facilitate respectful engagement with Canada’s diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also offer training to build our clients’ understanding of First Nations and Indigenous rights.

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Corporate Headquarters:

  • 95 St Clair Ave W, Suite 1606,
    Toronto, ON M4V 1N6

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