To support Indigenous clients in their career path, career practitioners must take a holistic approach that considers the individual’s lived experiences as well as historical factors that shaped their education and employment. Here are resources that explore varied Indigenous worldviews on careers and today’s labour market.
This article is part of a five-part CareerWise series on “Indigenizing Career Development.”
For more on this topic, check out the FREE recordings from a recent CERIC and CDANZ webinar series on “Global Perspectives in Career Development: Empowering Your Inclusive Practice Through Indigenous Knowledge and Worldviews.”
An Indigenous future and present of work (Brookfield Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Future of Good) [Commentary]
Justin Wiebe is Michif (Métis) and grew up in his homelands in Saskatoon on Treaty 6 territory and the Homeland of the Métis. He is a member of the EleV team at Mastercard Foundation. In this piece, he explores the realities faced by Indigenous people and how the future of work must include Indigenous knowledge and worldview, languages, and connection to lands and waters.
Cultural Infusions and Shifting Sands: What Helps and Hinders Career Decision-Making of Indigenous Young People (Canadian Journal of Career Development) [Study]
This study highlights the systemic, interpersonal and experiential processes in career decision-making for Indigenous young people in Canada. Implications for career counselling practice and future research are also discussed.
Indigenous Employees’ Views and Experiences– Results of the Indigenous Workforce Retention Survey (Government of Canada) [Report]
Many Voices One Mind: A Pathway to Reconciliation is a government strategy that seeks to reduce and remove barriers to Public Service employment encountered by Indigenous Peoples. A survey conducted to inform the strategy indicates that Indigenous employees are looking for three types of learning and development supports: more training and development opportunities; feeling and being part of a network of Indigenous employees, and mentorship opportunities. The report also explores unique characteristics and needs of the Inuit and objectives to address training, development and career advancement concerns expressed by Indigenous employees.
Indigenous inclusion at work is more than just representation – it’s reconciliation (The Globe and Mail) [Article]
This article examines trends in employment rates, how to foster inclusion and ensuring equitable access to jobs. A purposeful approach mentioned is a seven-stage strategy that considers both Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives, Indigenous history, outlook, culture and corporate culture.
Navigating Two Worlds: Paths to Indigenous Career Success (Indspire) [Report]
This report explores Indigenous student experiences in achieving career aspirations and the supports they require for success in the school-to-work transition. Challenges that they experience include cultural isolation, power imbalance, legacy of trauma and navigating two worlds. Success through Indigenous strengths included cultural integrity, connection and relationships, and using a holistic approach.
The importance of a whole-person approach in Indigenous career development (Careering magazine) [Article]
Indigenous career practitioners integrate a cultural worldview of interconnectedness to support clients in wide-ranging ways. This piece explores the source of knowledge and life experiences that shape the choices of Indigenous jobseekers and the role of Indigenous career practitioners. It also shares resources to support indigenous clients.
Trina Maher: ‘Our communities are so rich in terms of resources and creativity’ (CareerWise) [Video]
Trina Maher, President of Bridging Concepts, speaks to CareerWise Editor Lindsay Purchase about engaging in career work with Indigenous communities during COVID-19, nation building and career development trends. While Trina’s insight was given at a time when most people worked in a remote environment, she shares advice on empowering communities and fostering partnerships to grow career development in a culturally relevant way.
Additional reading
- Indigenous Canada (University of Alberta on Coursera) [Course]
- Indigenous Peoples in Canada: A Primer for Career Development Professionals (Career Professionals of Canada) [Article]
- Resources for career professionals working with Indigenous youth (CareerWise) [Article]
- Understanding the Career Development Journey for Native American Clients (Career Convergence) [Article]
