Day One: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
10:30 EDT
15 min
Welcome & Opening Remarks from the Chair
10:45 EDT
60 min
Strengthening Labour Relations in Indigenous Communities: Balancing Tradition, Rights, and Workplace Harmony
- Navigate the complexities of labour relations in Indigenous communities by integrating traditional values with modern employment practices.
- Address legal rights, cultural considerations, and employee protections to foster respectful and equitable workplaces.
- Implement strategies for conflict resolution and collaboration that support both community cohesion and organizational goals.
11:45 EDT
60 min
Resolving Complex HR Challenges in Indigenous Communities: Case Studies and Best Practices
Dale Cooper, Executive Director, Cree Native Arts & Crafts Association
- Analyze real-world HR case studies to identify key challenges and effective solutions in Indigenous workplaces.
- Implement conflict resolution techniques tailored to the unique dynamics of Indigenous organizations.
- Develop proactive HR policies that address issues such as nepotism, employee relations, and legal compliance.
- Strengthen leadership decision-making by applying culturally informed and legally sound HR strategies.
- Equip HR professionals with tools and best practices to navigate sensitive employment matters with confidence.
12:45 EDT
45 minBreak
13:30 EDT
60 minStrengthening HR Leadership in Diverse and Remote Communities: Centering Well-Being and Impact
- Equip HR professionals with tools and strategies to manage workplace challenges effectively.
- Support mental health and well-being through self-care initiatives and resilience-building practices.
- Enhance leadership skills to foster strong, supportive, and culturally informed HR practices.
- Develop peer networks and mentorship opportunities to strengthen professional growth and collaboration.
- Implement sustainable HR strategies that balance employee needs, community expectations, and organizational goals.
14:30 EDT
60 minNavigating Conflicts of Interest with Integrity and Accountability
- Identify potential conflicts of interest in Indigenous HR practices and assess their impact on workplace dynamics.
- Implement clear policies and ethical guidelines to prevent and manage conflicts of interest effectively.
- Develop transparent decision-making processes that uphold fairness and accountability in hiring and resource allocation.
- Strengthen leadership integrity by fostering open communication and ethical responsibility in HR practices.
- Apply real-world case study insights to create practical solutions for balancing professional responsibilities and community ties.
15:30 EDT
60 minHonoring Indigenous Cultural Awareness and Practices in the Workplace
- Integrate Indigenous cultural protocols and traditions into workplace policies and daily operations.
- Educate employees and leadership on the significance of Indigenous practices, histories, and ways of knowing.
- Foster an inclusive work environment that respects and values Indigenous identities, languages, and ceremonies.
- Implement training programs to enhance cultural competency and awareness among staff.
- Support Indigenous employees by recognizing and accommodating cultural responsibilities, such as community gatherings and traditional events.
16:30 EDT
End of Day One
Day Two: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
10:30 EDT
10 min
Welcome and Opening Remarks from the Chair
10:30 EDT
60 minStrengthening Mental Wellness: Strategies for Managing Stress and Compassion Fatigue in Indigenous Organizations
- Assess the impact of stress and compassion fatigue on HR professionals and employees within Indigenous organizations.
- Implement workplace wellness programs that prioritize mental health, self-care, and cultural healing practices.
- Develop supportive leadership strategies that promote open conversations about mental well-being and burnout prevention.
- Equip employees with tools and resources to manage workplace stress through resilience training and peer support networks.
- Apply case study insights to create long-term strategies for fostering a healthier, more balanced work environment.
11:30 EDT
60 min
Navigating HR Management in Indigenous Communities: Balancing Tradition, Rights, and Modern Workplace Practices
Melissa J. Hall, Head of Human Resources, Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government
- Address unique HR challenges within Indigenous organizations and communities.
- Explore the intersection of cultural values, employment law, and modern HR practices.
- Develop strategies for respectful performance management, recruitment, and retention.
- Strengthen workplace policies that honor Indigenous rights, accommodations, and traditions.
12:30 EDT
45 minBreak
13:15 EDT
60 minCulturally Grounded HR Strategies for Values-Driven Organizations
- Design HR policies that align with Indigenous governance structures, traditions, and community values.
- Implement culturally relevant recruitment and retention strategies to strengthen workforce engagement.
- Adapt performance management frameworks to reflect Indigenous ways of learning, feedback, and growth.
- Incorporate traditional knowledge and community input into leadership development and employee training programs.
- Foster workplace environments that respect Indigenous rights, cultural protocols, and holistic well-being.
14:15 EDT
60 min
Change is Ceremony: Reimagining Change Management Through Indigenous Principles
How can change in organizations move beyond policy and process—and become a sacred, values driven journey? In this thought provoking session, Christina Tachtampa explores how change management can be reimagined through Indigenous worldviews, where transformation is relational, cyclical, and often ceremonial.
Drawing from her experience as a non-Indigenous leader working within a First Nations government, Christina shares insights, stories, and practical tools that honour Indigenous principles like reciprocity, community voice, and cultural rhythm. Participants will learn how to support inclusive, grounded, and values-led change—whether working within or alongside Indigenous communities. Key Highlights:
- Why Western change management models often fall short in Indigenous contexts.
- How Indigenous worldviews treat change as cyclical, relational, and rooted in ceremony.
- Centering values—like respect, humility, and reciprocity—in all change processes.
- Practical tools for designing relational, culturally grounded change initiatives.
- Reflections on allyship and the role of non-Indigenous leaders in Indigenous-led transformation.
This session invites leaders, HR professionals, and change agents to shift their approach: from managing change to honouring it.
15:15 EDT
60 minIndigenous-Centered HR: Addressing Unique Challenges and Opportunities in Workforce Management
- Identify key workforce challenges unique to Indigenous organizations, including recruitment, retention, and community expectations.
- Develop HR strategies that balance traditional governance structures with modern employment practices.
- Implement culturally responsive policies that support employee well-being, professional growth, and workplace harmony.
- Strengthen leadership approaches to foster trust, accountability, and inclusivity within Indigenous workplaces.
- Adapt workforce development initiatives to align with Indigenous values, economic realities, and long-term community goals.
16:15 EDT
End of Day Two
Legal Issues Workshop: Thursday, September 18, 2025
10:30 EDT
10 minWelcome and Opening Remarks from the Chair
Legal Human Resources Issues for Indigenous Communities
Helping You Build Successful Indigenous Workplace Inclusion Strategies
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Navigate Legal Complexities. Strengthen Indigenous Workplaces
Building inclusive, legally sound workplaces within Indigenous communities requires navigating a unique intersection of employment law, cultural protocols, and governance structures. This one-day forum brings together experts, community leaders, and HR professionals from self-governing First Nations, Aboriginal schools, health and social services, band councils, and Indigenous-owned organizations.
Gain practical tools, explore real-world case studies, and connect with peers to develop HR strategies that reduce legal risk while aligning with cultural values and community priorities.
Benefits of Attending:
- Interact with legal experts, HR professionals, and Indigenous leaders.
- Gain insights into proactive, culturally informed legal strategies.
- Expand your HR and legal risk management toolkit.
- Learn prevention-based approaches to conflict and compliance.
- Build a network of professionals committed to Indigenous workplace advancement.
- Improve your capacity for advocacy, litigation, and leadership within Indigenous HR.
10:30 EDT
60 min
Navigating Challenges: Addressing Harassment, Discrimination, and Performance Management in the Workplace
- Identify early warning signs of harassment, discrimination, and underperformance through effective monitoring and feedback channels.
- Implement clear, compliant procedures for reporting and resolving workplace complaints with transparency and sensitivity.
- Equip managers with tools and training to handle difficult conversations and enforce accountability fairly.
- Mitigate legal and reputational risks by applying consistent, documented performance and conduct standards.
- Foster an inclusive culture that promotes psychological safety and supports employee well-being.
11:30 EDT
60 min
Effective Performance Management and Navigating Difficult Employment Conversations in Indigenous Workplaces
- Analyze real-world case studies drawn from actual workplace scenarios.
- Explore the overlap between disciplinary issues and accommodation in performance management.
- Learn how to distinguish between discipline and accommodation challenges.
- Understand the correct procedural steps based on the nature of the issue.
12:30 EDT
45 minBreak
13:15 EDT
60 min
Sovereignty at Work: Indigenous Jurisdiction and Labour Rights in Action
- Understand how Indigenous communities assert jurisdiction over labour laws.
- Contrast Indigenous labour codes with provincial and federal standards.
- Track the legal defense and recognition of sovereign HR frameworks.
- Identify key success factors in building and enforcing local employment codes.
- Replicate governance models that support Indigenous sovereignty in HR.
14:15 EDT
60 min
Hiring with Honour: Human Rights, Discrimination, and Reconciliation in Indigenous Recruitment
- Investigate legal standards surrounding discrimination and bias in hiring.
- Highlight systemic barriers faced by Indigenous candidates.
- Apply inclusive hiring practices to reduce legal and ethical risks.
- Detail a real-life transformation after a human rights tribunal decision.
- Commit to reconciliation through proactive recruitment and retention strategies.
15:15 EDT
60 minUnderstanding the Canada Labour Code in the Context of Indigenous-Led Workplaces
- Interpret key provisions of the Canada Labour Code relevant to Indigenous-led organizations.
- Navigate the intersection between federal labour standards and culturally informed HR practices.
- Identify common compliance challenges and how to address them effectively.
- Apply legal frameworks to real-world scenarios within Indigenous governance or service settings.
- Strengthen organizational policies to align with both labour law and community values.
16:15 EDT
End of Legal Issues Workshop