Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples™

 Since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its summary report containing 94 Calls- to-Action we have written a series of articles on what various organizations can do towards reconciliation. We have articles on what local governments, municipalities, dioceses and schools are implementing or could implement to reset their relationship with Indigenous people. In this article we visit the forestry and reconciliation. We provide an overview and then focus on British Columbia as BC is historically the biggest producer of forest products and its forestry/Indigenous relations have progressed since the infamous “War in the Woods” era.

In this article, I’m going to provide some practical tips on what to do and what not to do for speakers/presenters who will be making presentations to audiences that include First Nations Peoples.    

When planning your consultation and negotiation meetings with the Nation on whose traditional or treaty lands you hope to work, it’s important to get things off on the right foot.

What constitutes Aboriginal relations best practices? Here are a few suggestions for consideration.

Lyle Viereck recently launched a private consulting firm Lyle Viereck Consulting Services Inc. As the former Director of Aboriginal Relations and Negotiations for BC Hydro and a Chief Negotiator with the Province of BC, he has a depth of negotiating experience. He also has a unique perspective on reconciliation as part of First Nation negotiation that we were eager to learn more about. Lyle kindly took some time to share his invaluable insight.

Lyle Viereck was born and raised in Prince Rupert in northern BC. His family heritage includes Creek Indians from Oklahoma, American black slaves, Irish and German. As a result of this very diverse background Lyle grew up fighting for equality and against racism and was influenced by his family forming labour and credit unions.

In an earlier article we took a look at why companies should protect their Aboriginal relations strategy in a recession. In this article we offer a suggestion on how individuals can recession proof their careers.

It looks as though Canada may be entering an economic slowdown which means managers and financial officers will be given the task of cutting costs. Unfortunately, at times like these, in some companies, Aboriginal relations go from being considered a real and necessary part of doing business to being considered a luxury.

What’s wrong with the above scenario? It sends a message to Aboriginal Peoples that these companies are "here for a good time, not a long time."

In 2003, Corby Lamb, President, Capacity Forest Management Inc., left a senior management position with Western Forest Products Inc. to launch a unique, full service forest management company. Corby kindly took some time to describe the mandate of his Campbell River based company.