The Approach
Nothing About Us, Without Us
This Framework is intended to be used by communities to build communities and is grounded in the approach “nothing about us, without us”.
Nothing about us, without us is really just a way to communicate the idea that no decisions about a community should be decided by any person without the full and direct participation of members of the group(s) affected by that decision. Far too often in the not too distant past, Indigenous people have been the victims of decision-making that has directly affected their communities and their livelihoods in myriad and indelible ways.
True and respectful communication, consultation, and collaboration have to be cornerstones of any initiative that touches on the lives of Indigenous peoples.
Indigenous community organizations, members, and Elders, in each community work together to meet unique local needs and ensure the design, development, and delivery of the Skills for Success workplace model reflects the realities and traditions of the community.
When undertaking the development of a workplace Skills for Success model, work should be driven by the community, for the community. By working with Indigenous communities from the ‘inside-out’, we learn from them, while simultaneously building capacity for the community to continue this work. The approach, where project activities are guided by those in the community who best understand regional and cultural Skills for Success needs, has proven to be extremely successful in increasing employee and employer success.
Indigenous Advisory Circle
It is important to have an Indigenous Advisory Circle that guides and leads your work. Circle members should be representative of the local Indigenous communities involved in the work.
Examples of Circle members could include:
Elders
Traditional Knowledge Holders
Band Councillors
Community Leaders
Indigenous Employees
Example Terms of Reference for a Indigenous Advisory Circle can be found here.
Vision
One of the first things the Indigenous Advisory Circle should do is set the vision for the Pathways Framework.
This involves...
