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Includes business-Indigenous community community-to-community relationship-building dialogue using the 2003 Community Accord (and 2018 reaffirmed accord) with guest Stewart Alsgard, former Mayor, City of Powell River.
Registered e-course learners gain access to a comprehensive 127-page PDF on Cultural Awareness Training, which serves as an Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training Backgrounder. Upon completion, participants receive a course certificate and can also join the Colonizer Rehab seminar series, enhancing their understanding through various Indigenous engagement courses and Indigenous training options.
The cost of the e-course is $400 per learner.
This Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training is unique in its approach, as the content does not come from universities or colleges but derives from authentic First Nation lived experiences, moving beyond conventional academic frameworks or professional consulting models. In contrast to other Indigenous engagement courses, this training thoughtfully examines both non-Indigenous residential communities and Indian reserve communities. It brings to light specific topics such as privilege, systemic racism, racism, the surrender of parental rights, and unmarked graves, addressing these issues directly and without dilution.
This Indigenous training option will benefit:
- Non-Indigenous managers, directors, coordinators, and business development professionals eager to enhance their knowledge of Indigenous engagement.
- Members of Indigenous relations committees dedicated to advancing beyond symbolic reconciliation.
- Corporate, organizational, and government leaders aiming to foster a deeper culture of Indigenous awareness.
- Non-Indigenous professionals working within First Nation band administrations.
- First Nation individuals seeking to broaden their understanding of Canada's colonial and assimilation history.
- Inuit and Métis individuals who wish to gain more insight into First Nation history, rights, and perspectives.
Participants in the e-course will receive a 127-page Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training Backgrounder in PDF format, along with a course completion certificate.
This e-course, which offers valuable cultural awareness training, is recommended for non-Indigenous persons in various leadership roles, including:
- CEOs and other executives in corporations
- Indigenous Relations and Business Development managers in corporations
- Employees of associations (e.g., Chamber of Commerce) who work directly with Indigenous issues
- Elected officials (e.g., Mayors, councils, regional districts, MLAs, MPs)
- Management positions within a city hall
- Staff in a First Nation band administration office, including owners of sub-contracting companies
- Leadership positions within the RCMP
- Leaders in Christian churches
- Individuals in leadership roles at universities or colleges
Additionally, this e-course is beneficial for younger Indigenous persons interested in pursuing Indigenous training options and running for political office in their communities.
MODULE 1: Introduction & Basics About Indigenous Peoples serves as the foundation for the remainder of the course by starting with a traditional acknowledgement of the Indigenous Peoples of what is now Canada. This essential part of our cultural awareness training addresses common misconceptions and delves into Indigenous life before-contact, at-contact, and post-contact. Participants will deepen their understanding of Indigenous history through archaeological evidence, the extensive length of Indigenous presence on these lands, and the importance of traditional institutions, such as a Coast Salish potlatch. The module also examines the immediate impacts of European contact and clarifies the meaning and appropriate use of commonly confused terms, including Aboriginal, Native, Indigenous, Status Indian, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, while explaining why the term 'First Nations' has gained prominence in Canada today. This content is a part of our Indigenous engagement courses designed to enhance knowledge and understanding among participants and provides a valuable introduction to various Indigenous training options.
Module 2: Canada's Colonization History covers essential components of colonial colonization, including cultural awareness training for fostering understanding among diverse populations:
This module is particularly recommended for non-Indigenous individuals working with or within:
Module 3: Canada’s ‘Land Question’ explores the origin of the Aboriginal rights and title issue in Canada and potential future implications for Canada's economy, making it an essential part of cultural awareness training. This module is particularly recommended for non-Indigenous persons employed by City Halls, who may benefit from various Indigenous engagement courses and Indigenous training options.
Module 4: Truth and Reality First, Only Then Reconciliation clarifies the proper usage of the term 'truth and reconciliation' as it pertains to cultural awareness training in Indigenous engagement in Canada. This module also explores contemporary Indigenous engagement issues highlighted in the media, such as the discovery of unmarked graves on former Indian residential school properties and the cases of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women & Girls (MMIWG), as well as observances like Orange Shirt Day and Red Dress Day.
This module is highly recommended for non-Indigenous persons working in various settings, including:
Becoming a registered Indigenous Insight Indigenous Engagement e-learner marks the beginning of a meaningful business and mentorship relationship rather than just a single transaction. Participants engage with like-minded critical thinkers who actively discuss the most complex and challenging Indigenous issues through various Indigenous engagement courses.
True Indigenous engagement can't be fully captured in textbooks — it is experienced through conversation, respect, and the sharing of knowledge.
Each Colonizer Rehab participant will receive a comprehensive 127-page PDF backgrounder as part of their cultural awareness training, enhancing their understanding of available Indigenous training options.
Every day, the traditional territories of First Nations are threatened by various development projects. Each day, First Nation communities receive requests for 'consultation' regarding the exploration of development within their territories.
**Case Study Example**
Imagine returning to a place within your ancestral territory to perform a traditional spiritual cleansing ceremony—a practice your people have honored for countless generations. These ceremonies are not casual activities; they are vital to your spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Consider how frequently your ceremony is disrupted by hikers, photographers, or curious visitors who unintentionally wander into the site, intrigued by what they see. These individuals enjoy the health benefits of the very landscape that has seen your Nation's tradition compromised by colonization and government-sanctioned recreational development.
This scenario reflects a real situation. Across Canada, hiking trails, canoe routes, viewpoints, and other forms of recreational infrastructure have been established within Indigenous territories, often without proper safeguards for places used for cultural and spiritual practices.
For many First Nations, the consequences extend beyond inconvenience; it is a direct infringement on their rights to safely and privately practice traditions that have sustained them for generations. While public access to these lands has increased, Indigenous peoples have frequently lost the privacy and security necessary to uphold their own health, culture, and spiritual practices.
Your people strive to maintain their health and traditions, but this has been jeopardized by the provincial government approving the construction of a hiking trail.
Often, your Aboriginal rights and title are negatively infringed.
Consider the necessity for archaeology lobbying and engagement in Crown land referrals at federal, municipal, and provincial levels, as well as negotiation and intergovernmental relationship building.
Indigenous Insight possesses a comprehensive understanding of the requirements for fostering mutually beneficial relationships with First Nation communities. We also recognize the realities, challenges, and opportunities that define these relationships. When there is a genuine willingness to collaborate, partnerships can become powerful alliances.
Our experience has revealed that fear and privilege present two of the most significant barriers to reconciliation and effective collaboration. However, these barriers can be addressed through cultural awareness training, practical engagement, and informed leadership that transforms uncertainty into confidence and action. Organizations that invest in Indigenous engagement courses today have the opportunity to emerge as recognized leaders in this crucial area.
Strong intergovernmental relationships do not occur by accident, nor should they be confused with mere reconciliation exercises. True reconciliation requires a foundation built on mutual respect, acknowledgement, and trust—elements that have been largely absent throughout Canada's historical relations with First Nations.
Despite this legacy, many Indian Act-elected First Nation leaders remain open to dialogue and are eager to develop meaningful economic and community initiatives that enable neighboring governments and First Nation communities to thrive together.
For more information or to explore Indigenous training options, click the button below or reach out to Indigenous Insight directly.
As a public speaker and facilitator with more than 30 years of First Nation leadership and governance experience, KWAST-en-ayu leads respectful, thought-provoking conversations that challenge assumptions and enhance cultural awareness training, building a deeper understanding of Indigenous realities in Canada. His presentations cover challenging yet essential topics such as racism, systemic racism, prejudice, white privilege, colonization, and the ongoing impacts of assimilation policies on Indigenous peoples. Drawing on lived experience and decades of work in Indigenous governance, Aboriginal rights and title, and community leadership, he provides practical insight into Canada's colonization history, including the Indian Act, the Indian Reserve System, the Indian Residential School System, Band Office administration and governance, and the foundations of Truth and Reconciliation. Participants leave with a stronger understanding of Indigenous perspectives, greater confidence to engage respectfully with First Nation communities, and practical knowledge they can apply in their organizations and everyday decision-making. This insight aligns with Indigenous engagement courses designed to meet the needs of diverse audiences.
KWAST-en-ayu is available to facilitate and deliver presentations for First Nation community meetings, Annual and Quarterly General Meetings, Indigenous organizations, associations, Chambers of Commerce, municipal councils, regional districts, industry conferences, educational institutions, and provincial and federal government initiatives. The Indigenous training options can be tailored to the specific needs of leadership, staff, businesses, and community audiences.
His speaking fee includes the day of and travel days to and from the venue. Please note that travel and accommodation costs are not included.
ABM Leaders, Builders, and Members can enjoy a 25% discount (or $100) on the fee for our Indigenous engagement courses, which include essential cultural awareness training and various Indigenous training options.