September 2026

A little learning for the season

With the autumn equinox behind us and our National Day for Truth and Reconciliation approaching (in Canada), I’ve been thinking about one part of our work at Tilia that is never “finished”: building our own cultural competency.

We work with communities and organizations across Treaty 6 and beyond. That means continuing to learn about the histories, relationships, cultures and responsibilities that shape the places where we work, and thinking carefully about how those things show up in engagement.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 92 speaks directly to organizations and businesses. Among other things, it calls for education for management and staff about Indigenous history, treaties and rights, alongside skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights and anti-racism.

I appreciate the framing because it reminds me that cultural competency isn’t an arrival point. It’s part of professional practice: something we have a responsibility to keep learning, noticing, and working at.

Something I’ve found useful

One recent step I’ve taken to expand my own understanding was to complete an Indigenous Engagement and Collaboration course this spring through Concordia University of Edmonton.

The course is designed specifically for people working on projects in or with Indigenous communities. It explores things like consultation, community needs, cultural protocols, collaboration and how to respectfully incorporate Indigenous knowledge and voices into projects and partnerships.

I found it practical, challenging and genuinely useful, particularly because it pushed the conversation beyond simply knowing more and toward thinking about how we work and build relationships differently.

A few questions I’m carrying

For those of us doing engagement, facilitation, planning or other community-related work, here are some questions that I think are worth returning to:

• What do I understand about the history and context of the communities affected by this work?

• Whose knowledge am I relying on, and whose might be missing?

• Where are there gaps in my own cultural competency?

• Am I treating relationship-building as part of the work, or something that happens around the edges of it?

• What would it look like to keep learning beyond September 30?

I don’t think these are questions we answer once. They’re more like questions we keep in the room with us, in perpetuity.

A few places to keep learning

Read the TRC Calls to Action
If you haven’t read all 94, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is a good place to begin. For organizations, I particularly recommend spending some time with Call to Action 92.

Indigenous Canada — University of Alberta
A 12-module course developed through the Faculty of Native Studies exploring Indigenous histories, contemporary perspectives, treaties, legal systems, land, political movements and Indigenous-settler relationships. It is currently available online through Coursera.

Treaty Words: For As Long As the Rivers Flow — Aimée Craft, illustrated by Luke Swinson
This is technically a children’s book, but it’s one I return to again and again. I read it with my kids, and many of you who have been in a facilitated session with me have probably seen me pull it out there too. It offers a beautiful description of Treaty as relationship, reciprocity, responsibility and renewal.

City of Edmonton Indigenous Relations Office
For those of us living and working here, the City has information about its Indigenous Framework, its response to the TRC Calls to Action, and ongoing Indigenous-led and reconciliation work in Edmonton.

If you need support

The lead-up to September 30 can bring up a lot. If you are an Indigenous person who needs to talk, the Hope for Wellness Helpline offers counselling and crisis support at 1-855-242-3310 or by online chat at hopeforwellness.ca, in English, French, Cree, Ojibwe, and Inuktut.

A final thought

September 30 gives us a reason to pause and pay attention.

And also, I believe we each have a larger responsibility to continuing learning, noticing, and changing after it passes.

Still learning,
Lindsay