Step Two
Celebration of Success
Now that you've identified stakeholders who will partner in the development of the community framework hold a Celebration of Success to learn from Indigenous employees who are already experiencing success in the workplace.
The Celebration of Success is a needs assessment and the most important step in ensuring your framework is successful.
What is a Celebration of Success?
Led by Elders, employers, and community leaders, the Celebration of Success event is hosted within your community at the beginning of your work to develop a community framework. Similar to a “needs assessment”, it brings together potential participants, community members, employees (managers and other staff), and employers to identify the strengths and resources that exist in the community and the gaps that the framework development can help to fill.
A celebration is designed for participation by the successful Indigenous employees. Employees who have been working for an employer for two years or more, for example, have demonstrated through their lengthier employment period that they are successful. These are the employees you want to learn from. They will give insight and make recommendations that will help you see what is needed for incoming and new employees. The event has two important aspects: cultural celebration and a platform of employees, potential employees, and employers to learn from one another.
Start your framework development with a Celebration of Success. This will achieve several purposes:
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Help employers recognize and celebrate the good work people are already doing
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Help employers to understand what led to success, what makes employees successful
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Help employers gain greater understanding about an employee’s needs and interests
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Help employers to examine their own practices and how they can better support Indigenous employees
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Provide important recommendations to consider going forward in the development of a workplace framework
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Help employers demonstrate that they value employees and their input
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Increase participants’ confidence and pride in who they are and what they can contribute
Events should start with relevant cultural components to celebrate the Indigenous culture specific to the region. Elders speak about the history of work in their community and participants engage in cultural activities.
Staff and managers can then split out into conversation circles. These circles facilitate a discussion to help staff reflect on their employment journey including what made them successful, what challenges they face, and what else they need to help them become successful in the future.
Example Agenda
1. Starting in the morning with an Elder opening
2. Follow with an Elder’s presentation designed to help people learn more about the history of work in the community, local Indigenous culture, history, traditions, land, language, etc.
3. A motivational presentation, preferably from another inspirational Indigenous role model
4. Conversation Circles. Consult with local Elders, Indigenous Advisory Circle, and community to reflect local protocol. For example, you may choose to do four Circles since there are four directions, four parts in the Medicine Wheel, and four seasons.
5. Closing Talking Circle
6. Collection of feedback