Ensuring Effective Communication with Indigenous Partners: Key Strategies for Success
As discussed in part two of our blog series, Building Relationships Rooted in Reciprocity, developing successful partnerships with Indigenous communities necessitates a long-term commitment to mutual respect, understanding, and reciprocity, recognizing that trust and effective relationships are foundational and cannot be rushed or based solely on entrepreneurial gains. In this blog, we will be looking at strategies essential for communicating with Indigenous partners compiled by experiences from some of our venture teams as well as strategies referenced by the Government of Canada, Nature United Canada, and Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.
Effective communication with Indigenous partners necessitates a profound commitment to respect, understanding, and collaboration. Insights from ventures supported by Innovation UBC’s entrepreneurship program, such as Rohe Homes and Aqua Intelligent, provide crucial lessons in navigating these complex and culturally sensitive partnerships.
Invest Time and Build Trust: Trust is the foundation of successful partnerships, particularly with Indigenous communities. Rohe Homes’ partnership with the Homalco First Nation began to face delays when a key housing manager within the nation left. The team learned that investing additional time and resources to establish and nurture relationships from the onset could have mitigated these issues. Trust is not established overnight; it is built through consistent, respectful engagement, which includes regular interactions and a genuine interest in the community's needs and priorities. Patience and commitment reflect a deep respect for the community’s unique context and perspectives.
Engage Early and Often: Proactive and ongoing engagement ensures alignment and avoids misunderstandings. For Rohe Homes, clear and consistent communication was crucial. The team learned the value of engaging early and including all project members to ensure communication was clear and transparent. Implementing regular check-ins and involving community leaders in discussions helps ensure continuity of alignment throughout an engagement , while maintaining a mutual understanding of project goals. This approach fosters a collaborative atmosphere and enables timely resolution of issues.
Understand the Historical Context: A comprehensive understanding of the historical and cultural context of Indigenous communities is essential for effective communication. This includes recognizing the impact of historical injustices, traumas, and current challenges that shape the community's perspective. The importance of this awareness is implicit in the need for culturally sensitive and informed communication. Educating yourself about the community’s history and current issues demonstrates respect and helps prevent inadvertently perpetuating harm.
Practice Active Listening: Active listening is a critical component of effective communication. It involves engaging deeply with the feedback, asking clarifying questions, and reflecting on the information shared. Rohe Homes learned that maintaining clear and transparent communication helps to be adaptable to last-minute changes and new developments. Active listening ensures that all voices are heard, valued, and integrated into the project, fostering a more inclusive and responsive partnership.
Communicate Transparently: Transparency is crucial to avoid misunderstandings and build credibility. Discussing all aspects of the partnership openly, including potential challenges and adjustments, helps to align expectations and foster trust. This approach ensures that both parties are clear about their objectives and responsibilities, facilitating a more effective and collaborative working relationship.
Respect Protocols and Traditions: Respecting Indigenous community protocols and traditions is fundamental to effective communication. Although specific protocols were not detailed in the cases, the principle of aligning with community practices is evident. Ensuring that all interactions and communications honour these protocols demonstrates a genuine commitment to the partnership and enhances the relationship. Understanding and respecting these traditions helps build a strong foundation of trust and mutual respect.
Be Adaptable and Open-Minded: Flexibility and openness are essential for addressing the evolving needs of Indigenous partners. Aqua Intelligent, which worked with the Lytton and the Tataskweyak Cree Nation helped install automated water monitoring systems in the community but wanted to ensure that the nation members understood the behind-the-scenes workings of the software. Therefore, they took the extra time to educate them on how it worked and how they could respond to any alerts the system set off. Being open to feedback and willing to adjust project plans as needed helps in responding effectively to the community’s requirements and changing circumstances. An adaptable approach ensures the project remains relevant and aligned with the community's needs.
In summary, effective communication with Indigenous partners involves building trust, engaging early and often, understanding historical contexts, practicing active listening, maintaining transparency, respecting protocols, and being adaptable. As demonstrated by the experiences of Rohe Homes and Aqua Intelligent, by applying these strategies you can foster meaningful, respectful, and productive partnerships that drive mutual success and benefit. To find resources on best practices in partnerships and communications see here.
Sources
1 https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/7-tips-on-building-relationships-with-indigenous-peoples
2 https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1100100021860/1614352707074
3 https://publications.gc.ca/collections/Collection/H88-3-20-1998E.pdf