Counsel Public Affairs announces Nibwaakaawin, a new training program focused on respectful engagement with Indigenous communities

TORONTO (February 2, 2023) – Counsel Public Affairs is proud to expand the firm’s Indigenous facilitation services with a new training program entitled Nibwaakaawin, aimed at building clients’ capacity to fulfill their responsibilities to engage with Indigenous peoples and First Nations in Canada.

Nibwaakaawin (pronounced nib-wah-kah-win) means “wisdom” in Ojibwe. The Nibwaakaawin team will contribute their considerable wisdom, gained over years of leadership in and with Indigenous communities, to help clients better understand how to engage and negotiate with Indigenous peoples whose rights and interests intersect with their work.

“Canadians, as well as their employers, are still on a learning curve,” shared John Beaucage, Counsel Principal and former Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek Nation. “Many businesses and organizations are unsure of their responsibilities and how to undertake the process of engaging with Indigenous peoples. We want them to learn that Indigenous people are eager to engage, but they expect to be treated respectfully and to be meaningfully consulted early on in any project that affects their people, land, and rights. That’s really our goal with Nibwaakaawin – we want to build understanding.”

“Indigenous people in Canada have unique, constitutionally-protected rights, and governance structures,” added Charles Harnick, Founding Partner of Counsel and a former Ontario Minister Responsible for Native Affairs (now Indigenous Affairs). “Businesses and organizations of all sizes and sectors need to understand how to engage and negotiate with Indigenous peoples in an open and transparent way that respects their rights and traditions, and is consistent with the meaningful consultation recommended in the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.”

In establishing Nibwaakaawin to support clients across Canada, Counsel is assembling a roster of Associates that includes highly-respected Indigenous leaders and experts representing Nations and peoples from coast-to-coast-to-coast.

Nibwaakaawin training is highly tailored to each client’s needs, knowledge, and context. Individual sessions and training series are available virtually or in-person.

“We have seen the huge value of bringing our team’s wisdom to our clients’ projects,” added Beaucage. “We are thrilled to work with an unparalleled team of Indigenous leaders to help our clients expand their wisdom and engage respectfully with Indigenous communities.”

Introductory video and more information available at: counselpa.com/wisdom

Nibwaakaawin Associates:

• John Beaucage – Former Grand Council Chief, Anishnabek Nation
• Charles Harnick – Former Attorney General of Ontario and former Minister Responsible for Native Affairs (now Indigenous Affairs)
• Jim Doxtdator – Restorative Mediator, Indigenous Dispute Resolution Facilitator, and Technical and Political Advisor to First Nations leadership and communities
• Cliff Grant – Director, Strategic Relations, Aboriginal Housing Management Association, British Columbia
• Luc Lainé – Delegated Chief, Council of Huron Wendat First Nation
• Walter Manitowabi – Former Chief, Wiikwenkoong Unceded Territory and Former CEO, Union of Ontario Indians (Anishnabek Nation)
• Ken Thomas – CEO of Agency Chiefs Tribal Council (ACTC) in Saskatchewan and Former Chairman, Aboriginal Business Canada
• Leslee White-Eye – Former Chief, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation

About Counsel Public Affairs
Counsel Public Affairs is one of Canada’s most respected and successful government relations and public relations firms. Counsel offers government relations services at all levels of government, as well as strategic, crisis, and stakeholder communications, and Indigenous facilitation services. Their team includes consultants representing Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Toronto, and with experience in every major jurisdiction in Canada.
counselpa.com

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Natalie Dewan
ndewan@counselpa.com
416-573-4164