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  2. Environmental, Regulatory and Stakeholder Engagement
  3. Indigenous Relations Specialist

Indigenous Relations Specialist

NOC #41403

  • Environment Primarily indoor/office work
  • Education Post-secondary diploma
  • Average salary $58,000 to $89,000

Career profile

Indigenous relations specialists work with Indigenous leadership and communities to foster and maintain relationships and ongoing dialogue between them and their companies.

Indigenous relations specialists may, or may not, work within a larger team depending on company size and structure. They brief corporate leadership on the government Indigenous consultation policies and requirements, and ensure that companies fulfil their regulatory consultation obligations. Within some companies, Indigenous relations specialists provide leadership and support on a wide range of responsibilities including Indigenous business development initiatives, managing relationships with partners, supporting inclusive recruitment, and supporting the development of strategies that promote Indigenous inclusion on projects.

Exploration and production, Pipelines, Oil sands, Carbon capture, utilization and storage, Emissions reduction, Well site decommissioning, Engineering, design and procurement, Construction, Contracted and turnaround maintenance, Start-up and commissioning, Modular fabrication, Geothermal, Solar, Wind

In this occupation activities may include:

  • Bringing together representatives of the Indigenous community and the company to develop a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship.
  • Facilitating and participating in formal and informal meetings to learn of concerns from the community.
  • Developing and implementing an engagement strategy with Indigenous and local communities.
  • Developing strategies and policies to promote business development or investment in, or with, local Indigenous communities.
  • Working with others in the company to identify and remove any barriers in the employment process for Indigenous peoples.

Education

  • Aboriginal liaisons need a combination of related education and experience
  • Most employers require applicants to have a post-secondary diploma or degree in a field related to the organization’s business or Indigenous Studies, Indigenous Relations or a related field.

Certifications

  • Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.

Additional Requirements

  • While not necessarily through a formal program of study, these specialists typically combine knowledge about First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities, knowledge about local Indigenous history, cultures and issues, and knowledge about their employer’s organizational structure, culture and services or products.
  • Specific health and safety certifications may be required, determined by location of work and company requirements

  • Travel likely required
  • Primarily indoor/office work
  • Work not physically demanding
  • Work away from home/in camps

You have a deep knowledge about First Nations, Metis and Inuit history, cultures and issues. You combine this with your people-skills, organization and analytical thinking to find beneficial paths forward for your company and the community.

  • Laws and Regulations
  • Human Resources
  • Public Speaking
  • Writing, Technical Writing, Document Production
  • Coordination
  • Managing Conflict
  • Negotiation
  • Persuasion
  • Planning and Organizing
  • Collaborative
  • Innovative
  • Leading / Living the Vision and Values