Cultural & Reconciliation Consulting

Businesses, organizations, schools, municipalities, community groups, and other organizations are increasingly looking for meaningful ways to include Indigenous perspectives, histories, art, and reconciliation in their work. Sometimes, though, it can be difficult to know whether something is accurate, appropriate, or being presented in the right context.

I offer consulting and review services for organizations that would like another set of eyes on projects involving Indigenous peoples, Coast Salish culture, reconciliation, or Indigenous representation.

This can include reviewing:

  • Artwork, displays, signage, and public installations

  • Land acknowledgements

  • Educational materials and presentations

  • Websites, reports, brochures, and other written materials

  • Interpretive signs and exhibits

  • Reconciliation initiatives and workplace projects

  • Event materials and programming

  • Indigenous terminology, place names, and cultural information

  • Projects that include Coast Salish history, plants, language, or cultural teachings

My role can range from a simple review of existing material to more involved consultation throughout the development of a project.

Why Have Your Project Reviewed?

Even well-intentioned projects can unintentionally include outdated information, overly broad statements, incorrect terminology, or ideas that do not accurately reflect the Nations or cultures being discussed.

Having someone review a project before it is published, installed, or presented can help identify these issues early.

I can help organizations consider questions such as:

  • Is the historical or cultural information accurate?

  • Is the language respectful and specific?

  • Are different Indigenous Nations being grouped together in ways that may be misleading?

  • Is Coast Salish culture being represented accurately?

  • Does the project clearly distinguish between historical information and contemporary Indigenous communities?

  • Are there areas where consultation with a specific Nation would be more appropriate?

  • Could something be misunderstood or interpreted differently than intended?

The goal is not simply to avoid mistakes. It is to help create work that is thoughtful, informed, and genuinely useful.

Coast Salish Knowledge and Local Context

My work is grounded particularly in the histories, cultures, plants, languages, and territories of Coast Salish peoples on the south coast of British Columbia.

I am of mixed Snuneymuxw (Nanaimo) and English ancestry, with family connections to Tle:ltx'w (Gabriola Island), and I am a learner of Hul’q’umi’num’. I also have a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology from the University of Victoria and have led hundreds of cultural plant walks, presentations, and educational programs for children, adults, workplaces, government organizations, and community groups.

Where a project relates specifically to the culture, history, territory, artwork, language, or knowledge of a particular First Nation, I may also recommend that the organization speak directly with that Nation. No single consultant can represent the knowledge or perspectives of all Indigenous peoples or communities.

Consulting Can Be Simple

Not every project requires an extensive consultation process. Sometimes an organization simply wants someone to review a draft, piece of artwork, sign, presentation, or idea and point out anything that may need clarification or further research. Other projects may benefit from ongoing consultation as they are developed.

I am happy to discuss the scope of your project and determine what level of support makes sense.

Get in Touch

If your business, organization, or group is developing a project involving Indigenous culture, Coast Salish history, reconciliation, artwork, education, or public communication, feel free to get in touch.

You can send me a brief description of the project, what stage it is at, and what you would like help reviewing.