Canadian Drug Agency - Communications, Engagement and Hiring Support
STRATEGY • HIRING • WORKSHOPS
Service Areas: Engagement & Communications
Client
Canadian Drug Agency (Previously Canadian Agency for Drug and Health Technologies)
Year
2022-2024
pipikwan pêhtâkwan was approached by Canadian Agency for Drug and Health Technologies (CADTH) to support their needs for capacity building within the organization, build on the existing momentum of internal work and build confidence in the organization in navigating topics of Drug and Health Technologies as they relate to Indigenous Nations, organizations and Peoples.
The scope of the projects encompassed several phases and a retainer, offering both virtual and in-person opportunities for relationship building, training, and facilitation.
Approach
Our team wanted to center partnership and think about collective growth for both CADTH and pipikwan pêhtâkwan. We were open to supporting each other, and the relationship and deliverables evolved from what was being heard and learned from previous projects. Through a retainer structure that allowed for flexibility and responsiveness, our team collaborated to support a diverse range of needs at CADTH, adapting to the changing requirements that arose. From open office hours, workshops, facilitation, advising, and hiring panels, our team adapted to the organization’s needs by inviting pipikwan pêhtâkwan into their circle.
A natural starting point was relationship building and understanding the experiences of staff and their work with Indigenous Peoples, Nations, and organizations. From there, the team helped build an understanding of CADTH’s work as it relates to Indigenous Peoples to inform the prioritization of ongoing commitments. To meet those commitments, internal staff and external Indigenous leadership voices in health were invited to guide. Along the way, we provided support for capacity-building opportunities and advised on decisions regarding existing projects, staffing, and organizational priorities.
Outcome
CADTH’s board accepted reconciliation commitments for the organization, expanded their engagement of Indigenous health leaders, and hired a role to support the implementation and sustainability of these efforts. Along with these efforts, several virtual and in-person workshops on Indigenous engagement and decolonizing communications and language were provided for staff within the organization to build and strengthen capacity internally.