Honouring Indigenous History Month: reflecting on National Indigenous Peoples Day and relational work

June is a time to recognize the rich cultures, deep histories, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. National Indigenous History Month is an opportunity to reflect not only on the past, but also on the future—on the stories, voices, and communities that have shaped this land long before it was called Canada.

National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 is a reminder of Indigenous strength, identity, and the continuity of knowledge and community that thrives today.

Why this month matters

Indigenous languages, traditions, and governance systems have existed for thousands of years. And yet, in many spaces—especially within technology and design—they remain underrepresented or overlooked. As a company working in digital design and development, we recognize how important it is to create space for Indigenous voices in the digital world. These stories are already being told by Indigenous communities. Our role, when invited in, is to support the telling. 

A commitment to learn and listen

We are not an Indigenous company. But as a team based on Treaty 6 territory, we recognize our responsibilities under treaty and our role in upholding Indigenous awareness through the work we do. We’ve been invited to collaborate on meaningful work with Indigenous communities across several treaty territories, and we approach this with gratitude, accountability, and care.

Our goal is not to speak over, but to listen. Not to lead, but to work alongside. We believe that learning is an ongoing practice—one rooted in respect, humility, and curiosity. And when it comes to building digital tools or platforms for Indigenous communities, it is our responsibility to ensure those projects reflect the values, needs, and identities of the people they’re meant to serve.

Project spotlights: working with Métis and First Nation communities

Over the past few years, we’ve been fortunate to collaborate on meaningful projects with Métis and First Nation communities across several territories, each with its own scope and vision:

• Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S)
  We are supporting MN–S in developing a holistic, future-ready database to better serve its community. The technical strategy is centered on improving how staff collect, maintain, and access citizen data—helping streamline internal processes while enhancing services for Métis citizens across the province.
• Métis Nation within Alberta (MNA)
  We worked with MNA to build a new website designed around accessibility, usability, and cultural connection. The result is a platform that supports knowledge sharing and digital engagement while reflecting the identity and values of the Métis community in Alberta.
• BC Métis Federation (BCMF)
  We collaborated with BCMF to build the Learn Michif mobile application to support the revitalization of the Michif-French language, encouraging everyday use and knowledge sharing for generations to come.
• Fort McKay First Nation
  We worked with Fort McKay First Nation to design and build a mobile-first website on WordPress. The result is a user-friendly, accessible site that meets the diverse needs of community members and visitors alike.

Each project was rooted in collaboration, and we are deeply grateful for the trust and insights shared with us throughout these processes.

Looking ahead

We believe in building relationships, not just products. As we continue to grow as a company, we remain committed to learning from Indigenous partners and creating space for their knowledge and perspectives in the digital landscape.

We continue to learn how to show up better, in our relationships, our work, our responsibilities. To the Indigenous communities we’ve had the privilege to work alongside: thank you for your guidance and trust. We will continue to listen, learn, and strive to do better, this month and every month.