You know what time it is! It’s time for a reminder not to be a jerk-o-lantern this Halloween. Here are some tips on how not to Halloween this year.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is September 30, and the team at pipikwan pêhtâkwan reflected on what the day means to us.

Reconciliation isn’t something we often discuss within our team interactions, though it’s embedded into the processes of our company structure. We don’t stop to think about, ‘how can we Indigenize our company as a means to advance truth and reconciliation?’ in so many words, but the way we approach each other, projects and the community is done in a way that is true to how our Elders and Ancestors have collaborated in the past. We lead with community-centred focus and think about what’s best for the good of all, rather than just ourselves. We engage with community members from a relationship perspective rather than trying to enforce our ideologies onto them. We listen with intent and give space for Indigenous Peoples to share their experiences.

As National Day for Truth and Reconciliation approaches, the pipikwan pêhtâkwan team recently hosted a full-house webinar for communications and engagement professionals interested in or tasked with doing this important work.

Join us for a virtual learning session on planning meaningful communications and engagement for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Shawna-Kay Thomas is pipikwan pêhtâkwan’s Director of Corporate Communications and Culture and has been working with the company since January 2021. For Shawna-Kay, sometimes it can feel like the only escape from the pain of colonialism comes from education - formally through the education system and informally from the media.

It’s Indigenous History Month! We’re happy to feature Amy Lickers, owner of A.L.L.Professional Services, who helps First Nations communities define what nationhood means to them, and helps create strategies to bring that vision to life.