A timely sequel to the bestselling 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act—and an invaluable guide for anyone seeking to work more effectively with Indigenous Peoples.
We are all treaty people. But what are the everyday impacts of treaties, and how can we effectively work toward reconciliation if we’re worried our words and actions will unintentionally cause harm?
Hereditary chief and leading Indigenous relations trainer Bob Joseph is your guide to respecting cultural differences and improving your personal relationships and business interactions with Indigenous Peoples. Practical and inclusive, Indigenous Relations interprets the difference between hereditary and elected leadership, and why it matters; explains the intricacies of Aboriginal Rights and Title, and the treaty process; and
demonstrates the lasting impact of the Indian Act, including the barriers that Indigenous communities face and the truth behind common myths and stereotypes perpetuated since Confederation.
Indigenous Relations equips you with the necessary knowledge to respectfully avoid missteps in your work and daily life, and offers an eight-part process to help business and government work more effectively with Indigenous Peoples—benefitting workplace culture as well as the bottom line. Indigenous Relations is an invaluable tool for anyone who wants to improve their cultural competency and undo the legacy of the Indian Act.

Bob Joseph's profile page

Cynthia F. Joseph's profile page

Bob Joseph, founder and President of Indigenous Corporate Training Inc, has provided training on Indigenous relations since 1994. He has assisted individuals and organizations in building Indigenous relations. His Canadian clients include all levels of government, Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions including the World Bank, small and medium-sized corporate enterprises, and Aboriginal Peoples. He has worked internationally for clients in the United States, Guatemala, Peru, and New Caledonia in the South Pacific. In 2006, Bob facilitated a worldwide Indigenous People’s roundtable in Switzerland that included participants from the United Nations, Australia, New Zealand, North, Central and South America, Africa, and the Philippines.
Bob has worked as an associate professor at Royal Roads University and has routinely been a guest lecturer at other academic institutions. He has an educational background in Business Administration and International Trade and is a certified Master Trainer who in May 2001 was profiled in an annual feature called, “Training: the New Guard 2001” by the American Society of Training and Development. Bob was one of nine trainers selected for the feature from over 70,000 members who come from more than 100 countries and 15,000 organizations.
Bob is the developer of a multi-layer suite of training courses:
- Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples®
- Indigenous Awareness
- Indigenous Relations
- Indigenous Consultation & Engagement
- Creating an Indigenous Engagement Plan (co-authored)
- How to Negotiate with Indigenous Peoples
- Working with UNDRIP
Bob is the author and co-author of books and resources related to working with Indigenous Peoples, including:
- 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act
- Indigenous Relations: Insights, Tips, and Suggestions to Make Reconciliation a Reality
- Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples® (4th Edition)
- Aboriginal Community Engagement: Handbook for the British Columbia & Yukon Chamber of Mines. Co-authored
Bob Joseph is an Indigenous person, or more specifically a status Indian. He is an initiated member of the Hamatsa Society and has inherited a Chief’s seat in the Gayaxala (thunderbird) clan, first clan of the Gwawa’enuxw. Bob looks forward to his first potlatch as a Chief in 2019. Bob’s Chief name is K’axwsumala’galis, which loosely translated means "whale who emerges itself from the water and presents itself to the world."

"An approachable and user-friendly guidebook…. Applicable for any organizations seeking to make reconciliation a reality, including government departments, universities, schools and non-profit groups…. An essential tool for anyone wishing to contribute to reconciliation."

>—<i>Winnipeg Free Press</i>

"A useful guide to [reconciliation…. A handy...how-to (and how-not-to) guide."

>—<i>The Hill Times</i>

"Another accessible, eye-opening work and a must read for those who want to help in the moving forward of reconciliation."

<i>The Vancouver Sun</i>