Hi there,
Do you feel unsure how best to approach Indigenous engagement on your project?
Most project leaders care tremendously about how they engage Indigenous input. And, few project leaders feel they are equipped to lead discussions with Indigenous stakeholders.
Indigenous engagement is complex for many reasons, including:
- There is much listening to do to understand what it looks like to be working together in true partnership to right these historic wrongs and advance reconciliation in concrete, meaningful, and lasting ways.
- The recent acknowledgement of unmarked graves of Indigenous children in residential schools has disproportionally impacted many Indigenous people, communities, and organizations.
- The pandemic has contributed to office closures and turnover in staff in all types of organizations, including Indigenous organizations.
- There is increasing demand for consultation with First Nations, which has led to burnout of Indigenous people who are doing engagement, and a shortage of resources to respond to requests to consult.
- Government approvals processes are inherently colonial and cumbersome.
How can you help lighten the load on First Nations by ensuring culturally competent engagement?
How does your project present an opportunity to meaningfully contribute to reconciliation on behalf of all settlers in the Coast Salish territories and be a leader in the development industry?
Will your project team need to challenge biases that are reflected in City and other government requirements?
“Most important is to listen.” – Tegan Smith
Channel is committed to providing first-class support to project leaders who wish to build long-term Indigenous relationships.
As owner of Channel, I am committed to supporting and advancing the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and I am striving to incorporate lessons learned in our work by:
- Preparing my mind and heart to be authentic in seeking truth and reconciliation. This means challenging my own biases when I become aware of them.
- Educating myself through books, films, and articles.
- Sharing resources and offering information to others.
I acknowledge the privilege that I bring as an educated, white, 4th generation settler. I am unaware of my biases. To help our team at Channel address unconscious bias to the extent possible, learn as much as possible, and share what we know, we will include within our team an Indigenous mentor.
Every project is different and every project requires a thoughtful and intentional approach.
Our passion is in supporting people in every profession and sector in real estate development and land use, from all over the world, in every career stage.
Channel’s process follows three steps:
- We start by preparing a due diligence report to ensure the project team is confident in applicable land use regulations and key stakeholders.
- We seek input through government, stakeholder, and Indigenous engagement.
- Finally, we ensure high quality submissions so the project can be easily approved.
Clients consistently tell us that they feel proud of what they accomplish working with us. The quality of our work gets results.
Ready to act? If you’d like to explore working together on any aspect of project approvals, including Indigenous engagement, please call me.
Kind regards,
Tegan Smith, MCP, RPP, MCIP (she/her/hers)
Principal, Channel Consulting
channelconsulting.ca
tsmith@channelconsulting.ca
604.364.9074
I acknowledge that Channel is located on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.