About Us
Why We Do What We Do
Mission
Our mission is to guide, train, and support learners in Working Effectively With Indigenous Peoples®. We are dedicated to fostering understanding, respect, and collaboration between individuals, organizations, and Indigenous communities.
Through our training programs, resources, and partnerships, we aim to promote cultural competence, reconciliation, and the empowerment of Indigenous peoples. Our goal is to create positive and meaningful relationships that contribute to the preservation of Indigenous cultures, the advancement of Indigenous rights, and help to change the world for the better for everyone.
Vision
Continuing to be the trusted guide for learners in their quest for reconciliation and making the world a better place for future generations.
A Few of Our Awards
ICT was the recipient of the 2021 Indigenous Business of the Year Award (3-10 employee category) from the British Columbia Achievement Foundation.
ICT was nominated for the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce 2017 Business of the Year Award (1-10 employee category).
We believe that by sharing knowledge and information through our training courses, blog, and other free resources we can make the world a better place for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people alike.
The Indigenous Corporate Training Team
A big hello from our team who want you to know they are committed to the mission of Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples® training for everybody!
Trainers/Speakers
Being the son of an Anishnabe mother and Italian-Canadian father, Flavio has grown up in two worlds, and is honoured for what both have bought him.
Flavio’s life has been immersed in all aspects of entrepreneurship, through the operation of many businesses to the training of others to succeed in their ventures. He believes that the ability to communicate - whether between individuals or between cultures - will always provide the foundation for success.
As an entrepreneurship and cross-cultural trainer, Flavio hopes that we all embrace the need to understand and be understood. The respect and trust that we strive to achieve in our personal and professional lives comes first and always from understanding.
Contributing to the success of thousands of individuals and organizations - he is honoured with each and every opportunity. Relationship-building is the cornerstone to his training philosophy: where individuals, organizations, communities and Nations learn and prosper through this spirit.
Leading or consulting with projects involving some of the most respected organizations and corporations in the world, Flavio trusts that inspired people - inspired educators - embracing new knowledge and ideas - will always succeed.
Miigwetch!
What others are saying about Flavio:
"Flavio is real, sincere and open in sharing his knowledge of how to build better relations with Indigenous Peoples. He provides an incredibly important contextual lens to those of us working in Indigenous communities, emphasizing our ultimately innate and human connection to how we relate to one another with respect and understanding. I would strongly recommend that everyone take training in Indigenous Awareness, regardless of whether or not you work in a specifically Indigenous community, and an absolute must, if you do! We are all responsible for understanding where we come from in order to contribute meaningfully to where we will go, together." F. • Participant at Community Futures Conference
"Flavio's delivery was perfect for such a sensitive topic. I personally learned a lot during the session and would gladly have listened endlessly. Just since the session, there have been so many relevant references in news and other interest fees, that I feel so much more equipped to understand." J.B. • Chilliwack School District #33
"I found Flavio's training very entertaining and enlightening. I learned a great deal about indigenous culture and the false perceptions and misunderstandings I had. This course was a real eye-opener and has left me wanting more." R.B. • Natural Resources Canada
"Flavio is knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate. He is an incredible instructor and his delivery is impeccable. Highly recommend this training as it contains relevant and valuable information!" J.T. • Justice Services Branch, Ministry of Attorney General
"I first saw/met Flavio in 2012 at a semi-annual company meeting. Prior to that, the limited history I had about First Nations People(s) left me with little empathy and understanding and as such, little success in my professional life when interacting with First nations People(s). Flavio’s education has changed me. Today’s class has changed me – all for the better. I feel enlightened, humbled and better equipped to engage and do business with First nations People(s). Thank you so very much." S.P. • BC Housing
Being the son of an Anishnabe mother and Italian-Canadian father, Flavio has grown up in two worlds, and is honoured for what both have bought him.
Flavio’s life has been immersed in all aspects of entrepreneurship, through the operation of many businesses to the training of others to succeed in their ventures. He believes that the ability to communicate - whether between individuals or between cultures - will always provide the foundation for success.
As an entrepreneurship and cross-cultural trainer, Flavio hopes that we all embrace the need to understand and be understood. The respect and trust that we strive to achieve in our personal and professional lives comes first and always from understanding.
Contributing to the success of thousands of individuals and organizations - he is honoured with each and every opportunity. Relationship-building is the cornerstone to his training philosophy: where individuals, organizations, communities and Nations learn and prosper through this spirit.
Leading or consulting with projects involving some of the most respected organizations and corporations in the world, Flavio trusts that inspired people - inspired educators - embracing new knowledge and ideas - will always succeed.
Miigwetch!
What others are saying about Flavio:
"Flavio is real, sincere and open in sharing his knowledge of how to build better relations with Indigenous Peoples. He provides an incredibly important contextual lens to those of us working in Indigenous communities, emphasizing our ultimately innate and human connection to how we relate to one another with respect and understanding. I would strongly recommend that everyone take training in Indigenous Awareness, regardless of whether or not you work in a specifically Indigenous community, and an absolute must, if you do! We are all responsible for understanding where we come from in order to contribute meaningfully to where we will go, together." F. • Participant at Community Futures Conference
"Flavio's delivery was perfect for such a sensitive topic. I personally learned a lot during the session and would gladly have listened endlessly. Just since the session, there have been so many relevant references in news and other interest fees, that I feel so much more equipped to understand." J.B. • Chilliwack School District #33
"I found Flavio's training very entertaining and enlightening. I learned a great deal about indigenous culture and the false perceptions and misunderstandings I had. This course was a real eye-opener and has left me wanting more." R.B. • Natural Resources Canada
"Flavio is knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate. He is an incredible instructor and his delivery is impeccable. Highly recommend this training as it contains relevant and valuable information!" J.T. • Justice Services Branch, Ministry of Attorney General
"I first saw/met Flavio in 2012 at a semi-annual company meeting. Prior to that, the limited history I had about First Nations People(s) left me with little empathy and understanding and as such, little success in my professional life when interacting with First nations People(s). Flavio’s education has changed me. Today’s class has changed me – all for the better. I feel enlightened, humbled and better equipped to engage and do business with First nations People(s). Thank you so very much." S.P. • BC Housing
Being the son of an Anishnabe mother and Italian-Canadian father, Flavio has grown up in two worlds, and is honoured for what both have bought him.
Flavio’s life has been immersed in all aspects of entrepreneurship, through the operation of many businesses to the training of others to succeed in their ventures. He believes that the ability to communicate - whether between individuals or between cultures - will always provide the foundation for success.
As an entrepreneurship and cross-cultural trainer, Flavio hopes that we all embrace the need to understand and be understood. The respect and trust that we strive to achieve in our personal and professional lives comes first and always from understanding.
Contributing to the success of thousands of individuals and organizations - he is honoured with each and every opportunity. Relationship-building is the cornerstone to his training philosophy: where individuals, organizations, communities and Nations learn and prosper through this spirit.
Leading or consulting with projects involving some of the most respected organizations and corporations in the world, Flavio trusts that inspired people - inspired educators - embracing new knowledge and ideas - will always succeed.
Miigwetch!
What others are saying about Flavio:
"Flavio is real, sincere and open in sharing his knowledge of how to build better relations with Indigenous Peoples. He provides an incredibly important contextual lens to those of us working in Indigenous communities, emphasizing our ultimately innate and human connection to how we relate to one another with respect and understanding. I would strongly recommend that everyone take training in Indigenous Awareness, regardless of whether or not you work in a specifically Indigenous community, and an absolute must, if you do! We are all responsible for understanding where we come from in order to contribute meaningfully to where we will go, together." F. • Participant at Community Futures Conference
"Flavio's delivery was perfect for such a sensitive topic. I personally learned a lot during the session and would gladly have listened endlessly. Just since the session, there have been so many relevant references in news and other interest fees, that I feel so much more equipped to understand." J.B. • Chilliwack School District #33
"I found Flavio's training very entertaining and enlightening. I learned a great deal about indigenous culture and the false perceptions and misunderstandings I had. This course was a real eye-opener and has left me wanting more." R.B. • Natural Resources Canada
"Flavio is knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate. He is an incredible instructor and his delivery is impeccable. Highly recommend this training as it contains relevant and valuable information!" J.T. • Justice Services Branch, Ministry of Attorney General
"I first saw/met Flavio in 2012 at a semi-annual company meeting. Prior to that, the limited history I had about First Nations People(s) left me with little empathy and understanding and as such, little success in my professional life when interacting with First nations People(s). Flavio’s education has changed me. Today’s class has changed me – all for the better. I feel enlightened, humbled and better equipped to engage and do business with First nations People(s). Thank you so very much." S.P. • BC Housing
Leadership Team
Bob Joseph
Co-Founder & President
Cindy Joseph
Director | Corporate Secretary
Maaria Curlier
Operations Manager
Doug Young
Manager | Marketing & Communication
Kacia Doerksen
Training Advisor
Rodman Joseph
Product Developer
Alejandra Navarro
Academy Advisor
Jessica Marple
Financial Coordinator
Margaret Crandell
Financial Coordinator
Raielene Langdon
Graphic & Website Designer
The Creation of the Indigenous Relations Academy
Indigenous Relations Academy was adopted in the years following an increased demand for our training. Operating under Indigenous Corporate Training Inc., we follow the leadership of our founder Bob Joseph, Chief name K’axwsumala’galis, to teach you how, and more importantly, what it means to be Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples®.
Our training is solely developed by our management team, who bring together 25+ years of cultural awareness and Indigenous training.
In the thick of the success of Indigenous Corporate Training Inc., the idea for the Indigenous Relations Academy was born, thereby educating and training a broader group of people all while remaining widely accessible.
"Our Indigenous Relations Academy is a location where interested learners – governments, corporations and individuals – can find more information about the courses we offer on a variety of topics, for all types of learners."
We are a cultural foundation that lays the groundwork for change, designed to exceed your expectations. Our Academy even offers two courses for you to embark into further learning, for those who want a "taste" of what we offer.
"What we teach people about Canadian Indigenous Peoples can be applied to those all around the world - only the histories will be different."
Our mission is to provide accessible learning resources that meet the needs of learners from all backgrounds in order to nurture a respectful relationship with Indigenous Peoples.
"We want an army of allies, who will then go and talk to their friends, family, churches and representatives."
You may be asking yourself, "why choose Indigenous Relations Academy?" and to that we say, because we aren’t your run-of-the-mill business with standardized training. Think less about "one size fits all," and more of "the right size for YOU."
We are a small, hardworking team that is solely dedicated to constantly improving our material to meet the needs of each learner. Our goal is to strive for your personal success by helping you navigate through what some would consider an "intimidating process."
"But where do I start?" As genuine people (not bots), we help our learners determine what is best for them, NOT deliver information through complicated jargon. The IRAcademy can provide you with the information that helps you along your journey towards reconciliation, as well as provide the opportunity for questions and the chance to hear other perspectives at our sessions.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Call to Action #92
Our training exceeds the recommendations of intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism outlined in the TRC CTA #92. As well we address reconciliation throughout all of our training courses.
Within the next 5 years, our team has a shared goal to grow our course catalogue, make changes to our training based on your feedback and work together to create more respectful communities. As Bob says it best, "changing the world and meeting the goal of reconciliation."
"We are changing the world because we are passionate about what we do."
Our Academy can be summarized into the following whimsical mantra: learn, apply and change.
Learn by acquiring the knowledge, skills, and attitude required to be effective.
Apply this newfound knowledge into your professional and personal life by leading conversations.
Change your own environment, as well as your community by driving the movement towards reconciliation for Indigenous Peoples.
Our passion is the fuel that drives us forward, which is evident in the work we do with Indigenous Relations Academy. If you want to know about our specific roles within the Academy, check out our bios above!