Braiding Sweetgrass: Supporting Indigenous staff in Non-Indigenous Organizations

Maureen Plante

Impact

  • The findings are shared with SACE as a non-Indigenous organization wanting to support Indigenous employees. SACE was provided with an Action Plan to help guide future practice within the organization. This document was shared with the Chief Operating Officer, the Director of Community Engagement, and Clinical Directors.

  • Indigenous employees expressed appreciation to SACE and the opportunity to have their voices heard.

  • Workplace cultural awareness workshops will be organized in the new fiscal year (2025) at SACE to provide an opportunity for staff members to deepen their understanding of Indigenous cultures, what is needed to support Indigenous employees, and foster more inclusive and respectful workplace environments.

  • Alberta

  • Studentship

  • University of Calgary

  • Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE)

  • Mitacs, Canadian Women’s Foundation

  • 2021-2022

  • Indigenous Community Mental Health

  • Indigenous Community, People at wor

About the Project

The researcher worked with Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE), an organization with the objective to support individuals and communities who have experienced sexual assault and violence. As a non-Indigenous organization, SACE is committed to supporting Indigenous peoples and communities and wanted to know how they can best support Indigenous employees as a non-Indigenous organization. This research project aimed to examine the challenges around the retention of Indigenous staff working at non-Indigenous organizations and generating lived-experience knowledge for improved organizational environments for Indigenous staff.

Methodology

The researcher collected qualitative data through online interviews with Indigenous staff members. These members responded to a series of open-ended questions relating to their experience, successes, challenges and where support is needed in their position working at non-Indigenous organizations. The findings provided insight to the needs and support for Indigenous employees by providing SACE with an Action Plan.

Findings

  • Three broad themes were identified and included: community engagement, the importance of an Indigenous Advisory Council, and taking care of Indigenous employees. Taking care of Indigenous employees includes allyship, understanding the impact of colonialism, support for Indigenous employees including and developing culturally relevant practices and programs, and having Indigenous representation in leadership roles.

  • One highlighted finding was the importance of non-Indigenous organization commitment to community engagement.  

  • Indigenous employees expressed the importance of Indigenous representation in leadership positions and the creation of an Indigenous Advisory Council.

Project Outreach

The findings of the project were implemented for improved indigenous staff retention in Edmonton.

Resources Created

  • Action Plan created for SACE.

  • Presentation of findings at the Canadian Psychological Association Convention in 2023.

  • We are currently working collaboratively with SACE to determine the best avenue in further dissemination of the results.