Hi Reader

A few months back, I was hired by an Indigenous consulting firm to help with their messaging and positioning.

They're incredibly effective in their work to help mid-sized corporations integrate and embed meaningful Reconciliation action plans, and create a more equitable workplace for all. I know they're effective because I interviewed several of their clients who couldn't say enough great things.

They needed a little help because they felt their messaging wasn't effectively attracting and pre-selling to their ideal clientele. So they brought me in to do some research and provide a corporate and colonial/settler perspective to their messaging.

While I shared insights from my research and my expertise in sales and messaging, the learning went both ways.

I was reminded in real time that there are different ways of doing business, building relationships, and learning.

One of my favourite concepts I learned from them was the 7Rs.

The 7Rs - Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity, Responsibility, Reverence, Relationship and Rights - are a set of principles rooted in Indigenous scholarship and guiding documents that shape how we can show up in reconciliation work - it goes beyond the actions we take.

The 7Rs offer a foundation for building trust with Indigenous Peoples, honouring their knowledge and rights, and moving from good intentions to meaningful, accountable action. And I'd wager those benefits are not limited to Indigenous Peoples, but could benefit humanity as a whole if we all embraced them more fully.

Given that it's National Indigenous History Month, I wanted to share some resources with you today and invite you to walk alongside me as I explore and integrate the 7Rs.

Rise Consulting has curated a FABULOUS page of resources that include Indigenous movies and TV shows, books, music and podcasts, online magazines, and events across Canada for us all to explore. (And for non-Canadian readers, I imagine there are similar resources in your home country)

Their guide includes a list of ways we can weave the 7 Rs into our lives, including some meditation and journaling prompts.

​Visit their online resource page here.

Or access a handy PDF guide here.

And to borrow Rise's own language, let's ask ourselves:

What steps can I take this week to move from awareness of the 7Rs to meaningful action in my role or community?

Kim

P.S. I'm always growing my list of Indigenous readings and resources, so if you have a fave resource, please share it with me!