Indigenous Liaison

Imagine you are in Nunavut. The smell of tobacco, sage, and sweetgrass fills the air. Drums are playing in the background—a steady and constant rhythm. As an Indigenous liaison, it is important for you to participate in this Indigenous spiritual ceremony so that you can learn about the sacred rites of the people with which you will be negotiating.

After the Indigenous spiritual ceremony, you meet with the Elders to discuss their points of view and concerns regarding the new petroleum project that will be initiated close to their community. You are expected to facilitate communication and understanding between the Indigenous community and your corporation. After listening carefully to their concerns, you explain the interest your company has in contributing to their community. Through investment in training and Indigenous employment programs, your company plans to include the local Indigenous people in its newest project.

After much discussion, the Elders make it clear that they will not allow development on one specific plot of land. It is your job to communicate this message to your company and participate in developing an alternative proposal for the project.

As a part of the Indigenous relations team, you have interactions with various stakeholders, such as the government, Indigenous community leaders, not-for-profit organizations, and corporations. Therefore, it is important to consistently project a positive, professional image on and off the job.