Publivate has traveled a fair way from our beginnings in 2008. Not just in what we do and who does it but in how we do it as well. One of the most profound learnings along the way was to better understand (and embrace) the history and challenges that Indigenous peoples have faced. Like many in Canada, a game-changer in our views was following the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and reading their 2015 report along with the Calls to Action.
In short, it has changed the way that we undertake our work, how we work as team members, our approach to our clients and their projects, and the techniques and tools that we use to do that work. Specifically, some of the more recent reconciliatory actions undertaken by Publivate and team members include:
Continuing education of the Publivate team which included San’Yas Indigenous learnings, OCAP Principals workshop, and 7 Grandfather teachings workshop
To the best of our ability ensuring that Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers are a part of our formal dialogues with clients, whether the dialogue involves Indigenous or non-Indigenous topics
Recommitting ourselves to a number of important principles for public engagement including inclusivity and protection of data and privacy including applying OCAP principles across all of our undertakings
Incorporating Indigenous lessons and techniques such as the 7 generation theory, healing circles, among others to our public engagement methodology. Integrated and driving this everyday is a Two-Eyed Seeing approach, where we combine the strengths of Indigenous knowledges and ways of knowing with the strengths of Western knowledges and ways of knowing to our craft of public engagement but also to how we work together as team members and partners.
Continuing to advance and invest in our important relationship with Three Sisters Consulting and the ongoing evolution of our joint company, Kūwiingu-néewul Engagement Services.
And, like reconciliation itself, Publivate is a work in progress on this journey. We try and listen more, be more thoughtful, understand and embrace all cultures and how we can benefit and apply their wisdom to ourselves and our work. As Senator Sinclair said, there are no shortcuts. We expect that our journey will continue for a long time to come and are committed to continuing to listen, learn, and grow.
