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Indigenous Consulting

At Karhiio, we provide clients with the tools and teachings needed to meaningfully engage with Indigenous nations, organizations and communities. Our Indigenous-owned consultancy specializes in end-to-end services including research, Indigenous-focused strategic planning, community consultation, communications, and cultural competency training. Our aim is to help answer the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action
 with urgency and outcome.

Tapahtêyimisowin | ᑕᐸᐦᑌᔨᒥᓱᐃᐧᐣ | Humility

Tapahtêyimisowin means humility in Nêhiyâwin (Cree). Our work is carried out with a spirit of humility: we help organizations to learn about the diverse histories and current aspirations of Indigenous partners. Understanding is the foundation of respect and from that, the opportunity to create authentic partnerships that strengthen Indigenous sovereignty and wellbeing. 

Karhiio collaborates with First Nations, Métis and Inuit organizations, all orders of government, post-secondaries, industry, non-profit organizations and others. We provide organizations with the teachings, consultation and tools needed to build genuine partnerships that meet mutual goals.

Tapahtêyimisowin | ᑕᐸᐦᑌᔨᒥᓱᐃᐧᐣ | Humility

Tapahtêyimisowin means humility in Cree. Our work is carried out with a spirit of humility: we help organizations to learn about the diverse histories and current aspirations of Indigenous partners. Understanding is the foundation of respect and from that, the opportunity to create authentic partnerships that strengthen Indigenous sovereignty and wellbeing. 

Karhiio collaborates with First Nations, Métis and Inuit organizations, all orders of government, post-secondaries, industry. non-profit organizations and others. We provide organizations with the teachings, consultation and tools needed to build genuine partnerships that meet mutual goals.

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Our Vision

Karhiio envisions a future where Indigenous Peoples and Ways of Knowing, Being and Doing are honoured in alignment with the commitments made in the Treaties and other foundational agreements for a better Canada for all.

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Our Mission

Karhiio aims to provide organizations, businesses, governments and Indigenous partners with the teachings and tools needed to meaningfully engage with each other for positive outcomes. We foster understanding and collaboration, answering the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action with impact.

Our approach is based on power sharing

Traditional consultation models focus on information sharing or limited collaboration, only then moving along the continuum to greater power sharing. 

Karhiio’s goal is to upend that model, facilitating understanding, discussing opportunities and collectively designing frameworks that centre Indigenous self-determination for positive outcomes. 

Our approach is based on power sharing

Traditional consultation models focus on information sharing or limited collaboration, only then moving along the continuum to greater power sharing. 

Karhiio’s goal is to upend that model, facilitating understanding, discussing opportunities and collectively designing frameworks that centre Indigenous self-determination for positive outcomes. 

Listen

Facilitate understanding — helping clients to share their vision for their communities.

Identify

Identify processes — help craft innovative, Indigenous-centered solutions.

Design

Craft products — briefings, strategic plans, consultation frameworks and communications materials - that synthesize information for effective implementation.

Decide

Evaluate inputs — distill the contributions of community members and partner organizations to create impactful outcomes.

Experience
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Clients Served
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Services

Strategic Planning

Does your organization want to partner on projects but doesn't know where to start? We guide organizations through the full project development pathway including project relevant research, consultations and pathways mapping. This work centres Indigenous interests to realize organizational goals.

Strategic Planning

Does your organization want to partner on projects but doesn't know where to start? We guide organizations through the full project development pathway including project relevant research, consultations and pathways mapping. This work centres Indigenous interests to realize organizational goals.

Communications

Does your organization want the tools needed to communicate effectively and respectfully? We provide the sensitive and informed communication services and instruction that fosters understanding in diverse Indigenous contexts. Reponsive Indigenous communications bridge the gap, bringing forward narratives and sharing Indigenous histories and worldviews.

Communications

Does your organization want the tools needed to communicate effectively and respectfully? We provide the sensitive and informed communication services and instruction that fosters understanding in diverse Indigenous contexts. Reponsive Indigenous communications bridge the gap, bringing forward narratives and sharing Indigenous histories and worldviews.

Reconciliation Action Plans

Does your organization want to take up the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and other community building projects? We help organizations identify the actions they can take to tangibly enact reconciliation in diverse contexts. Our customized Action Plans evaluate your organization's goals to provide a roadmap for change, helping to realize opportunities with Indigenous communities.

Reconciliation Action Plans

Does your organization want to take up the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and other community building projects? We help organizations identify the actions they can take to tangibly enact reconciliation in diverse contexts. Our customized Action Plans provide a roadmap for change, helping to realize opportunities with Indigenous communities.

Community Consultation

Does your organization want to consult effectively with Indigenous Peoples, Nations and projects? Our consultation services take into account the diverse perspectives and nation specific information needed to consult with respect and for outcome. This work brings partners together to envision what might be possible together.

Community Consultation

Does your organization want to learn about Indigenous topics, projects and possibilities? Our research services teach on the unique cultural, historical and social contexts of Indigenous communities. This ensures that initiatives are nation specific and culturally responsive, guiding your path forward.

Cultural Competency Training

Does your organization want to bridge the knowledge gap on Indigenous Peoples and histories with the understandings that foster respect? Karhiio's training programs empower individuals and organizations to navigate cross-cultural interactions with cultural competency.

Cultural Competency Training

Does your organization want to equip your team with the knowledge and skills needed to engage respectfully? Our training programs empower individuals and organizations to navigate cross-cultural interactions with cultural competency, fostering a workplace that values diversity and inclusion.

Speaker

Does your organization seek to amplify diverse voices and perspectives? Nella Sajlovic can offer insights into what impactful efforts at Indigenization can look like in diverse spaces. With a deep commitment to practical solutions, Nella is known for inspiring meaningful dialogue and action towards a more inclusive and equitable future.

Speaker

Does your organization seek to amplify diverse voices and perspectives? Nella Sajlovic can offer insights into what impactful efforts at Indigenization can look like in diverse spaces. With a deep commitment to practical solutions, Nella is known for inspiring meaningful dialogue and action towards a more inclusive and equitable future.

An invitation to connect

Provide your contact information and we will connect to discuss your needs

In the spirit of respect and reciprocity, we acknowledge the privilege of living, working and playing in Amiskwacîwâskahikan / ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ – now known as Edmonton. We value the Treaty Six and Métis Nation of Alberta Regional Zone 4 territories, and the foundational relationships that allow us to all share this land.

Testimonials

What Our Clients
Say

Discover the impact of Karhiio’s services through the words of those we’ve partnered with

Nella is an excellent strategist. Her ability to see the full organizational picture and develop integrated goals, objectives and tactics across silos is exceptional—and she marries this approach with a thoughtful, compassionate, and encompassing Indigenous perspective. The result is truly meaningful, high-impact work that supports people at all levels to contribute to Reconciliation.

Matthew McCreary Chief of Staff, Athabasca University

Nella is a rare combination of strategic acumen and organizational competence, with an extremely high work capacity. This manifests itself in her ability to operationalize strategic principles in ways that reflect institutional priorities even – or perhaps particularly – in contexts of budget and other constraints and she undertakes this work with a spirit of humility and reciprocity.

Dr. Chris Andersen Dean, Faculty of Native Studies, University of Alberta

As a strategic consultant, Nella has the innate ability to see the forest through the trees. It’s through this clearing where she develops clarity in solving complex issues. She converts that clarity to build a solid foundation of trust with her clients. I can count on her to not only deliver results, but deliver them in a manner that is clear, decisive and impactful. And finally all of this is wrapped in empathy. Her experience across a broad spectrum of projects, gives her the unique ability to put herself in her client's shoes, and the audiences she is trying to reach. That's a rare gift and experience in this industry.

Sonia Piano Principal, Brand Piano

Nella has great compassion for the people she works with and cares deeply that the work is done in a Good Way. She is a great asset to any project.

Elder Fernie Marty Papaschase First Nation

Working with this Indigenous-led business has been a transformative experience. Their commitment to Indigenous strategy not only honours traditional knowledge and values but also fosters sustainable practices within our community. Their approach seamlessly integrates cultural wisdom into every aspect of their operations, resulting in impactful solutions that resonate deeply with both clients and stakeholders alike.

Anthony Valente, P. Eng

Nella is at heart a teacher. She shares her own experiences and her knowledge of Indigenous-led work so that clients have the understandings needed to work from a place of respect. She wants those involved to not only learn what they did not know but to understand with empathy. This bridge building changes the people who work on these projects for the better and creates impactful outcomes.

Anya-Milana Sulaver Founder, Peeps Magazine

Every time I work with Nella, my project benefits from her insightful and thoughtful approach to the work. Because of her collaborative style, I also walk away with a deeper understanding that I can apply to my other work—and to my life.

Lisa Cook Director, Editorial Strategy, Strategic Communications, University of Alberta

Nella offers value add in all the services she provides. When working with Nella I could always count on her to consider organizational needs and bring innovative solutions to the table. She is an excellent facilitator, able to guide meaningful discussions with outcomes in mind. I highly recommend Karhiio Consulting.

Karen Wichuk, LLB, MA, ICD.D CEO, Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board