Step One
Laying the Groundwork
Before jumping into the development of a framework, it is important that you build a foundation for success. Framework development can be complex and taking the time to identify a few components from the beginning can save time, energy, and complications down the road.
Identify Stakeholders & Build Relationships
Involve the right people in the project from the beginning. Work with your Indigenous Advisory Circle to spend time identifying key people within your community who can drive change and bring local knowledge to the development of framework materials.
Important stakeholders include:
1. Elders
2. Community Leaders
3. Supporting organizations such as HR and job resource centres
4. Commitment of employer partners to train and hire participants
Once key stakeholders are identified, time must be invested to build relationships and trust. This could include invitation for stakeholders to participate in Ceremony, cultural practices, and traditions.
Identify Goals
Working with key stakeholders and before you start any activities, you must ask one very important question: what are you trying to achieve?
The goals should be established in collaboration with all project stakeholders and align with the vision set by the Indigenous Advisory Circle.
Your main objective here is to spend time with community to understand what's already happening, what the needs and wants of the community are, and how this Framework can support.
This starts with the Celebration of Success.
Identify Community Assets
Spend time as a group to identify existing people, resources, and skills within your community that can be used to support the Framework and be built upon.
Identify barriers and challenges up front and how can you limit the impact they have on your journey to success.
How to Connect with an Elder
Elders are respected knowledge keepers who play key roles in Indigenous communities. They help to ensure cultural continuity and serve and living connections to the past through teaching, advising, and counseling of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
We have found that it is important to connect with Elders who can help to guide framework activities and ensure Indigenous knowledge is incorporate in appropriate ways. If you don't have existing relationships with Elders within your community, the first step is to reach out to Indigenous communities (Band Offices are a good place to start) or Indigenous community organizations to ask for connections.
Once Elders have been identified and invited to participate, it is important that project leads meet with the Elder to identify their role in the Framework development. Each community has specific protocols for inviting an Elder into a project. In honor of Indigenous culture it is important to be aware of and honor these protocols which can include greeting with a handshake or the gifting of tobacco.