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The History of Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.

Your guide to Indigenous relations for over 20 years

Bob_Joseph_450-CIn 1994, Bob Joseph was employed in the Aboriginal Relations department of a large crown corporation in BC. He and his colleagues developed a cultural awareness presentation that Bob, a certified Master Trainer, delivered to thousands of the corporation’s staff, field crews and consultants.

The impact he was having on Indigenous relations did not go unnoticed. In 2001, Bob was one of nine trainers selected by the American Society of Training and Development from over 70,000 members from more than 100 countries and 15,000 organizations for the feature “Training: the New Guard 2001.” Closer to home, the impact he was having also did not go unnoticed as the Crown Corporation he worked for was increasingly approached by other organizations asking if Bob could train for them too.

However, in 2002, the corporation underwent significant restructuring, and it was unclear if the Aboriginal Relations department was part of the reconfiguration. During this time, Bob launched Indigenous Corporate Training Inc., continued to train for his former employer, and began booking new clients.

At that time, Indigenous rights were being recognized and affirmed through the courts. Significant Supreme Court of Canada rulings impacted how resource developers, consultants, field staff, and all levels of government engaged with Indigenous communities. And with those changes and duties to consult and accommodate came the recognition that there was a knowledge gap.

Working Effectively With Indigenous Peoples® 4th editionPeople were increasingly looking for insight, tips and tools to help them work effectively with Indigenous Peoples and communities - beyond mere awareness. To fulfill that need, Bob developed his signature course, Working Effectively With Aboriginal Peoples® (renamed in 2015 to Working Effectively With Indigenous Peoples®). And then wrote a book of the same name based on the course material.

ICT is proud to be on the cutting edge of change in Indigenous relations by helping learners in all sectors along the path to respectful relations with Indigenous Peoples. Following the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s report and 94 calls to action for reconciliation in 2015, the demand for training dramatically increased, leading ICT to expand the team with more trainers.

In 2020, when the pandemic arrived, and people transitioned to working and learning from home, ICT launched its online Indigenous Relations Academy and self-guided and live-guided virtual training sessions.

2021 Business of the Year RecipientICT’s significant contributions were recognized in 2021 when the company received the Business of the Year Award (3-10 person category) from the BC Achievement Indigenous Business Award.

“I love this work because it gives us a chance to bring all Canadians together and make real headway in reconciliation. Knowing that we are contributing to transformative change is both humbling and empowering. 21Things_AmazonBestSeller

When I published 21 Things® You May Not Know About The Indian Act, I was stunned by the response. I mean, who would have predicted a book about the Indian Act would be a national bestseller? But, it shows how ready people are to learn and commit to reconciliation. I think about King Charles III's comment that Canada’s efforts toward reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples hold lessons for other Commonwealth countries facing the wrongs that have shaped the past. He said, “Indigenous and non-indigenous Peoples reflecting honestly and openly on one of the darkest aspects of history -- as challenging as that conversation can be, people across Canada are approaching it with courage." I am hopeful for the future and grateful to all Canadians who have committed to contributing to reconciliation.” Bob Joseph, President, Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.

Over the past twenty years, Indigenous relations in Canada have changed dramatically. In 2002, when Bob Joseph launched Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. (ICT), the courts were just beginning to pass rulings on Indigenous rights and title, the duty to consult, and the meaning of “meaningful consultation.” A lot has changed in two decades. And ICT has kept abreast of the changes with a full catalogue of courses that equip Canadians to work effectively with Indigenous Peoples.

Highlights From Our Last 20 Years

ICT

Canada

2002

Launched company with Aboriginal Awareness training

 

2003

Introduced Indigenous Consultation and Engagement training (originally Working Effectively with Aboriginal Peoples® During Consultation)

2003 - 2005

Supreme Court rulings defined duty to consult & duty to accommodate, Metis membership test


 

2004

Introduced Working Effectively with Aboriginal Peoples® training and published 1st edition of Working Effectively with Aboriginal Peoples® book

2005

Had the first inclusion of Land Acknowledgments in a published book (1st edition of Working Effectively with Aboriginal Peoples® book) 

2006

Launched Working Effectively with Aboriginal Peoples® eNewsletter

 

2007

Published 2nd edition of Working Effectively with Aboriginal Peoples® book

2007

The UN General Assembly voted on the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples during its 61st regular session; Canada choose to vote against the Declaration

 

2008

Canada issued formal apology to residential school survivors and their families

2010

Launched Working Effectively with Aboriginal Peoples® blog

2010

Canada signed the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples but with qualifications

2012

Published 3rd edition of Working Effectively with Aboriginal Peoples® book

 

 

2014

Supreme Court of Canada ruled that Indigenous title is inherently collective and exists not only for the benefit of the present generation, but also for that of all future generations

2015

Changed name of courses, books, blog to reflect federal government adoption of "Indigenous" rather than "Aboriginal"

2015

Federal government officially moved from "Aboriginal" to "Indigenous" in all communications

2015

Published 21 Things® You May Not Have Known About The Indian Act blog post; blog post goes viral

2015

Truth and Reconciliation Canada published a summary report and 94 Calls to Action

2016

Introduced How to Negotiate with Indigenous Peoples training

2016

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the legal definition of “Indian” — as laid out in the Constitution — includes Métis and non-status Indians

2016

Canada officially removed its objector status to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

WEWIP_FrontCoverRGB_1024x1024-864969-edited2017

Published 4th edition of Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples® book

 

 

2017

Welcomed 1 millionth viewer to our Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples® blog.

2018

Working with UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples course introduced as well as The Personal Pledge of Reconciliation

 

2018

Offered The Personal Pledge of Reconciliation

21Things_May8_1400-C2018

Published 21 Things® You May Not Know About The Indian Act - Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality book

IndigenousRelations_F_FrontCover_FINAL2019

Published Indigenous Relations, Insights, Tips & Suggestions to Make Reconciliation a Reality book

2019

The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act unanimously passed by the British Columbia legislative Assembly

2019

Introduced Indigenous Employment: Recruitment and Retention training

BCBPlogo-gold-winner-sticker-85px-centred.png2019

21 Things® book won the 2019 Bill Duthie Booksellers' Choice Award

2019

Offered The Professional Pledge of Reconciliation

2020

Introduced online Indigenous Relations Academy

2020

COVID-19 pandemic arrived and many workers shifted to home office

2020

Offered Getting Started in Indigenous Relations training

2020

Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples® blog had its four millionth view

2020

Introduced Reconciliation Primer training

IA_1250_Shopify2021

Indigenous Awareness course offered in a new licensing option

2021

First National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

2021

IBA medal

ICT received the BC Indigenous Business of the Year Award (3-10 person enterprise)®

2021

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act received Royal Assent

2022

Hit 8.5 million views of the Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples® blog

2022

Pope Francis apologized for the Catholic Church’s role in residential school

2022

Introduced First Steps as an Indigenous Ally training and 21 Things™ You May Not Know About the Indian Act training

2022

Had 7.5 million visitors to the Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. website since its launch in 2014

2022

On November 2nd, ICT marked their 20th Anniversary helping Canadians develop the skills to effectively, respectfully and meaningfully engage and work with Indigenous Peoples.

Some of our valued training partners
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Your Commitment + Our Training = Informed Indigenous Relations