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EDI - An Indigenous Context

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion – An Indigenous Context

Indigenous Peoples across Canada are one of the primary equity deserving groups within Canada. Due to historical and current events, Indigenous Peoples may face many barriers or inequities, such as(1):

  • Cultural assimilation
  • Lack of culturally appropriate services
  • Poverty
  • Racism 
  • Violence against women
  • Inability to access services 
  • And more

Intentional consideration is required to ensure that Indigenous Peoples experience both equity and inclusion within the community. 

EDI & Indigenous Worldviews

Many teachings within Indigenous culture parallel the present-day principles of EDI. Below we’ll cover some general Indigenous worldviews and their alignment to EDI. It is important to remember that there is great diversity between Indigenous Nations, and their teachings, values and history differ across communities.

The Seven Grandfathers are an Anishnaabe teaching that guides individuals to lead a good life by stressing(2,3): 

  • Wisdom
  • Love
  • Respect
  • Bravery
  • Honesty
  • Humility
  • Truth 

In following these guideposts, Indigenous society parallels EDI principles by: 

  • Valuing community wellbeing
  • Learning to be honest in their identity
  • Understanding and respecting the unique gifts that each person offers to support the community
  • Loving one another

For more information on the importance of these teachings, watch the following video of Elder, Jackie Bromley, about The Seven Sacred Teachings from a Blackfoot perspective.

Indigenous Nations have many definitions, words and meanings associated with the term “two-spirit”. Generally speaking, two-spirit people are those born with both male and female spirits or considered to be people who were neither male nor female. 

Regardless of the definition, two-spirit people were held in high esteem and given highly valued roles within the community(4-6). They often held roles as balance keepers, healers, medicine practitioners, matchmakers, ceremonialists, chiefs and vision questors (5-7).

By valuing the unique perspectives and gifts that two-spirit people brought to the community, Indigenous Nations actively created inclusionary practices in their societies.

For more information on the importance and value of two-spirit people, watch the video of Elders, Darryl and Linda Brass, on Indigenous Two-Spirit Identity from a Midewiwin perspective. 

Supporting Indigenous EDI

When aiming to support Indigenous EDI, it is crucial to work through an EDI Lens. To move forward in a good way, we need to understand our biases and assumptions and the historical and societal barriers Indigenous Peoples face. As you prepare to take action, consider the following areas of work where you can help enhance equity, support diversity, and build inclusion.

Steps for using an EDI Lens:

  1. Consider your diversity
  2. Check your assumptions
  3. Ask about inclusion 
  4. Be an ally 
  5. Take action

Supporting Indigenous Self-Determination

Indigenous People are a protected and sovereign Nation in Treaty with Canada(8). However, the Indian Act of 1876 stripped Indigenous people’s rights, including their right to self-govern(8). As allies working to improve EDI, we must support and participate in the advocacy for Indigenous self-determination and governance. Indigenous People, leaders and Elders best understand the needs and desires of their communities. Achieving Indigenous EDI within Canada requires that Indigenous People oversee their own governance, determining and influencing the programs, policies, partnerships and places that impact them.

Much of community work focuses on building capacity and empowering citizens. Fostering empowerment is especially important when working with historically or systematically marginalized groups.

Doing For:

A “Doing For” model creates dependency and reduces self-determination. Doing For causes inequitable power dynamics where the helpers are “better than” and act as “rescuers” for those who are underserved or marginalized.

Doing With:

A “Doing With” model ensures that programs, projects, policies or initiatives focus on the community’s self-determination. Focusing on self-determination results in better, more successful, and longer-lasting impact. Doing With requires more community and stakeholder engagement opportunities. Work to ensure that the community and key stakeholders have a say in the initiatives they pursue, program development and delivery, and how to evaluate success.

 

Participating in Allyship

Allyship, as described by our partners at the Calgary Foundation, is(9):

 “…about disrupting oppressive spaces by educating others on the realities and histories of marginalized people… An ally recognizes that every person has a basic human right to dignity, respect, and equal access to resources… An ally acknowledges that building relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people is work of the heart. It requires a certain humbling to allow our hearts and minds to accept new, and often challenging information.”

Calgary Foundation

Indigenous allyship and it’s actions falls along a spectrum(9); with Level 1 being a starting point, and Level 3 being the eventual goal:

Level 1

Transfers privilege; Speaks truth to others; and walks alongside others.

Level 2

Works directly in a system to challenge institutional barriers, policies, and structures that marginalize people.

Level 3

Has established deep, personal and meaningful relationships with a community and works with that community to affect change on systems that create disparities

Take Action!

Now that you’ve taken some time to consider the aspects of Indigenous EDI and Allyship, check out some of the examples below of actions to begin or continue your allyship work: 

  • Attend and celebrate local Indigenous open-to-the-public events like Powwows, educational classes, races or art shows
  • Participate in and bring awareness to Indigenous issues like Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls 
  • Seek out educational opportunities to continue learning about Indigenous history, culture, and present-day issues

  • Attend and celebrate local Indigenous events
  • Support local Indigenous events through: 
    • Sponsorship
    • Space sharing
    • Partnerships 
    • Volunteering
  • Build relationships with Indigenous People and communities 
  • Consider implementing and incorporating Indigenous oral culture, smudging and land acknowledgements in your organizational practices. Offer honorariums to Indigenous knowledge keepers to learn the proper protocols associated with these practices
  • Create an honorarium policy that values Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers and leaders for the time and wisdom that they offer the organization 
  • Participate in and bring awareness to Indigenous issues like Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls 
  • Partner with Indigenous communities to develop culturally appropriate programming and services

  • Partner, support or join Indigenous groups, organizations or communities that are advocating for themselves/ issues of importance to their community
  • Ask where you can use your power or privilege to help. It’s essential to let the community decide and guide the direction, form and tone of advocacy

Supporting EDI Through Reconciliation

In Canada, there is a long history of Indigenous oppression. This tragic and dark history is why Reconciliation is needed to heal and build better Nation to Nation relationships. On an individual or organizational level, you can begin mending these relationships through:

Land Acknowledgements

A land acknowledgement is a formal recognition and show of respect for the land’s past, present and future Indigenous stewards. It is also an active exercise that challenges the acknowledger to: 

  • Research whose lands they are residing on
  • Recognize the history of the land and the Indigenous community
  • Pledge to build a better future tomorrow

  1. Research on whose traditional lands you are residing. Note: some communities were relocated away from their traditional lands to new areas. 
    1. Tip: Use https://native-land.ca/ as a resource to determine the original stewards(11)
  2. Explore and educate yourself on the Indigenous Nation(s) who make that land their home
  3. Once you understand the Indigenous communities who made that land their home, reflect on how you can move forward in reconciliation. In the acknowledgment, outline how you will commit to creating a better future and relationship with the Indigenous stewards.

For more details on writing, researching and helpful tips, check out: 

Education

One of the most meaningful actions we can take is to continue educating ourselves on the history, present-day issues, cultures, traditions, and worldviews of Indigenous People. By continuing or starting a reconciliation education journey, we can: 

  • Uplift the views and values of Indigenous Partners 
  • Learn from the mistakes in our shared past
  • Move forward together in a good way

Check out some of the reconciliation learning opportunities below: 

  • Connect with your local Friendship Centre
  • Attend Indigenous events that are open to the public 
  • Read books, articles or reports written by Indigenous authors
  • Attend Indigenous training courses

Check out this video of Elders highlighting the importance of land acknowledgements from our partners at the Calgary Foundation.

Community Spotlight

Get inspired and read below to learn one of the ways in which Communities ChooseWell is supporting Allyship.

Communities ChooseWell’s Allyship Journey

Communities ChooseWell is on a journey to action Albert Marshall’s two-eyed seeing approach: recognizing Indigenous ways of knowing and integrating them with the strengths of western ways of knowing(10). In practice, Communities ChooseWell seeks to bring together the strengths of Indigenous Champions to create the Indigenous Community Wellness Gathering. The gathering is a safe space for Indigenous champions to gather to share their ideas, skills, and experiences to improve wellness within their diverse Indigenous communities.

Key Considerations

Remember: It may be tempting to jump into advocacy work on behalf of an Indigenous community. Each Indigenous community is unique, with different histories, values and needs. Before pursuing advocacy, it’s crucial to: 

  • Create and maintain genuine relationships with the community. They are best at knowing what they want and need; seek to understand their perspective on advocacy work
  • Be educated and deeply understand the Indigenous community you are advocating alongside. Note: Take special care not to view the Indigenous community with a pan-Indigenous lens 
  • Ask where you can help. Some communities may not want or require advocacy, and others may desire advocacy to take a specific form. Look to the community for guidance and direction

Continue Exploring People

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EDI Definitions

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EDI Definitions

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An EDI Lens is a systematic tool that enables the intentional incorporation of EDI principles into daily practice.

Getting Started with an EDI Lens
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Getting Started with an EDI Lens

An EDI Lens is a systematic tool that enables the intentional incorporation of EDI principles into daily practice.

Icon for Supporting EDI In Your Community

Explore the different opportunities and strategies to apply an EDI Lens to HEAL initiatives within the context of the Healthy Communities Framework.

Supporting EDI In Your Community
Icon for Supporting EDI In Your Community

Supporting EDI In Your Community

Explore the different opportunities and strategies to apply an EDI Lens to HEAL initiatives within the context of the Healthy Communities Framework.

  1. City of Ottawa & City for All Women Initiative. Equity and inclusion lens; Diversity Snapshots Aborginial Peoples. [report on internet]. 2010 [cited 2022 July 8]. Available from: https://www.cawi-ivtf.org/sites/default/files/pdf/publications/EI-Lens/DS-Aboriginal.pdf 
  2. Government of Canada. [Internet]. First Nations in Canada; May 2017 [cited 2022 July 8]. Available from: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1307460755710/1536862806124 
  3. Confederation College. Diversity, Equity and Indigenous Lens. [report on internet]. The College; 2019 [cited 2022 July 8]. Available from: https://indd.adobe.com/view/a7bec930-ee73-433c-995b-812175d932b9
  4. Indian Health Service. [Internet]. Two-Spirit; n.d. [cited 2022 July 8]. Available from: https://www.ihs.gov/lgbt/health/twospirit/
  5. Indian Country Today. [Internet]. 8 Things you should know about Two Spirit People; March 2017 [cited 2022 July 8]. Available from: https://indiancountrytoday.com/archive/8-misconceptions-things-know-two-spirit-people 
  6. Trans care BC: Provincial Health Services Authority. [Internet]. Two-Spirit; c2022 [cited 2022 July 8]. Available from: http://www.phsa.ca/transcarebc/gender-basics-education/terms-concepts/two-spirit 
  7. Rainbow Resource Centre. Two-Spirit People of the First Nations. [report on internet]. The Centre; 2014 [cited 2022 July 8]. Available from: https://rainbowresourcecentre.org/files/16-08-Two-Spirit.pdf 
  8. University of British Columbia: Indigenous Foundations. [Internet]. The Indian Act; c2009; [cited 2022 July 8]. Available from: https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/the_indian_act/ 
  9. Calgary Foundation. Treaty 7 Indigenous Ally Toolkit. [Internet]. Calgary: The Foundation; 2019 [cited 2022 Jan 31]. P8. Available from: https://calgaryfoundation.org/about-us/reconciliation/indigenous-ally-toolkit/
  10. Two-eyed Seeing. [Internet]. Two-Eyed Seeing; c2021 [cited 2022 July 19]. Available from: https://www.2eyedseeing.ca/about-5 
  11. Native Land Digital. [Internet]. Native Land Digital Mapping; c 2021 [cited 2022 July 8]. Available from: https://native-land.ca/ 
  12. Calgary Foundation. [Internet]. Land Acknowledgement; c2022 [cited 2022 July 8]. Available from: https://calgaryfoundation.org/about-us/reconciliation/land-acknowledgement/ 
  13. National Association of Friendship Centres. [Internet]. Home page; c2022 [cited 2022 July 8]. Available from: https://nafc.ca/ 
  14. Canadian Association of University Teachers. Guide to Acknowledging First Peoples & Traditional Territory. [report on internet]. The Association; September 2017 [cited 2022 July 8]. Available from: https://www.caut.ca/sites/default/files/caut-guide-to-acknowledging-first-peoples-and-traditional-territory-2017-09.pdf
  15. University of Alberta. [Internet]. Indigenous Canada Course; n.d. [cited 2022 July 8]. Available from: https://www.ualberta.ca/admissions-programs/online-courses/indigenous-canada/index.html
  16. Royal Bank of Canada. [Internet]. 4 Seasons of Reconciliation Course; c2022 [cited 2022 July 8]. Available from:https://www.reconciliationeducation.ca/rbc