Researchers from the University of Windsor, the University of Waterloo, and Conestoga College developed the Indigenous Workways Toolkit to help organizations foster culturally safe and inclusive workplaces. The free online resource offers practical strategies, training modules, and assessment tools to build trust and support Indigenous employees. (Illustration by UWindsor)
WINDSOR, Ont. — A new online resource is helping organizations across Canada create culturally safe and inclusive workplaces for Indigenous employees by offering insights into their worldviews and workplace experiences.
Developed through a six-year collaboration between the University of Windsor, the University of Waterloo, and Conestoga College, Building Trust with Indigenous Employees: The Indigenous Workways Toolkit provides practical strategies to foster workplace inclusion.
“We asked Indigenous employees about their ideal workplace experiences, what’s important to them at work, and their challenges,” says Wendi Adair, a psychology professor at the University of Waterloo and co-principal investigator on the project.
“The Indigenous worldview where each employee exists within interconnected relationships with other people, the land, animals, and spirit was highlighted.
"Maintaining these relationships involves mutual respect, reciprocity, and taking responsibility for how one's words and actions impact others.”
Catherine Kwantes, a psychology professor at the University of Windsor and the other co-principal investigator on the project indicated that “the toolkit offers both individual and organizational level resources to develop trust with Indigenous employees and reflects the importance of creating organizational cultures of trust and safety, having relational communication norms, and building meaningful networks.”
The toolkit features six self-guided training modules that explore contemporary Indigenous experiences in the workplace, covering topics such as relational communication, microaggressions, conflict management, and cultural safety. It also includes three manuals that offer guidance on assessing cultural safety, developing mentorship networks, and strengthening organizational outreach to Indigenous communities.
Users can access videos, interactive exercises, and reflection tools designed to help organizations and individuals better understand Indigenous workplace experiences and foster inclusion.
Developed with guidance from Indigenous elders, an advisory council, and Indigenous scholars and students, the Indigenous Workways Toolkit offers an evidence-based approach to strengthening workplace inclusion.
The resource is available online.
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