Is it Indigenous relations or Indigenous engagement? We think it’s the same thing.
More and more companies are looking to engage and work with Indigenous communities. Gaining support in the environment you operate in needs purposeful interaction with the communities by building mutual understanding, trust, and respect.
This requires searching for the common ground even if it takes longer than anticipated. Don’t be a temporary business partner.
Establishing relationships and partnerships can be confusing and intimidating and many companies don’t have the knowledge, know where to go, or even where to start.
All of this defines both Indigenous relations and engagement.
Many companies want to know how best to approach Indigenous strategy, policy and engagement.
We assist your company in creating your own Indigenous Relations Toolbox. Working together with your team to build internal strategies and policies, we help you lay the foundation in order to build solid, lasting, and productive relationships with the local Indigenous communities and businesses.
At DHIR, our attitude is ”roll up your sleeves and let’s get to work”. Working closely with many Indigenous communities and organizations across the country, we have honed the skills needed to help build, lead and manage Indigenous engagement strategies for clients committed to reconciliation. Our ability to make genuine connections with all stakeholders will benefit our client’s engagement goals.
The hard, tactical skills can be found in many but the soft skills of encouraging trust and building agreement are often harder to find. They are ingrained in who we are at DHIR. We help companies to create and maintain relationships with Indigenous communities. We introduce our clients to those communities we already have formed relationships with and identify communities of interest to our clients in the areas in which they operate.
We differentiate by maintaining the interests of all involved – both our clients and the communities they partner with. In doing so, we have established a solid reputation among both businesses and communities, building an awareness of the standards, protocols, processes, events and current issues that impact both parties.
Above all, we operate with empathy, humility, a willingness to learn and help you understand the cultural sensitivity required to operate in the right relation with Indigenous communities.
We work with a wide variety of clients in multiple industries including oil & gas, mining, aerospace & defence, commercial & industrial construction, renewable energy as well as building Indigenous Benefits Plans for Canadian federal government projects. Although most of our clients are contractors engaged by lead proponents of large scale construction and P3 projects, DHIR also guides professional services such as law firms in building their industry specific Indigenous strategies.
Danielle Hartley and the DHIR team is excellent to work with. As a client, Danielle understands the significance of having a strategy built around Indigenous relations and partnerships, ensuring clients understand the history of Indigenous Peoples and how corporate Canada can work effectively together with Indigenous communities and businesses. What impresses me most about the DHIR team is the attention to detail and focus on their customer needs.
Bill Gourley | Director, Energy Transition u0026 Strategic Partnerships, Superior Propane
I’ve had the privilege of working with Danielle as EllisDon works towards PAR certification. She is a wealth of information, has a strong network, and has guided us through the PAR process with patience and unwavering leadership. Her knowledge and experience have been instrumental as we build a strong foundation of Indigenous cultural awareness, and create meaningful and lasting relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities. I have really enjoyed working with Danielle and look forward to continuing our work together.
Jennifer Khan | VP, Diversity Inclusion, EllisDon
For companies and organizations looking to build out frameworks to answer TRC Calls to Action, or those that are just looking to demonstrate good reconciliation, Danielle Hartley Indigenous Relations Inc is an excellent resource to guide companies in this process. For the last decade, Danielle has been instrumental in guiding and supporting organizations looking to achieve certification in the PAR program.
Luanne Whitecrow | Director, Progressive Aboriginal Relations Program, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
Danielle Hartley, the driving force behind DHIR Inc., is a seasoned Indigenous relations specialist. With a rich career spanning over 25 years, she is a visionary in crafting Indigenous strategies, policies, and engagement plans for businesses. She is a passionate advocate for truth and ethical practices.
Danielle excels in guiding Indigenous community employment, procurement, training, and investment, with the self-proclaimed goal of “working myself out of a job”. Her role as the first contracted facilitator for the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business’s Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) Program showcases her commitment and competence in fostering strong partnerships. For over a decade, she has guided numerous companies to achieve bronze, silver, and gold certification in this program.
She is set apart by her ability to balance the big picture with meticulous attention to detail, all while working under budget constraints and tight deadlines. Having worked for one of the most economically successful First Nations in Canada and an industry leader, Danielle positions herself as a bridge between diverse spheres in the business landscape.
Danielle holds a Bachelor of Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University, completed the Ivey School of Business Strategic Leadership Program, and earned the Indigenous Relations Leadership Certificate from the University of Calgary. She is also on the leadership committee for the Mi’kmawey Debert Capital Campaign and a member of the DEI committee with the Construction Association of Nova Scotia (CANS).
Danielle’s spark, initiative, and dedication inspire us at DHIR to bring our whole selves to the work of creating a more conscious and compassionate society. We love that when Danielle steps into the office, she brings her office dog and zesty attitude with her. Danielle Hartley is a true powerhouse, and with a dynamic team behind her, she’s ready to help you build solid, lasting, and productive partnerships.
Brook grew up and spent much of his adult life in Yellowknife, NWT where he gained his appreciation for the wilderness. As a young boy, he travelled across the Arctic with his father who was working with Inuit community members dedicated to preserving the near extinct Canadian Inuit Dog. These experiences shaped his pursuit of education in Sustainable Business Development in Resources and the Environment.
Brook’s expertise in relationship management and partnership execution has been invaluable in bringing together diverse groups to achieve economic success. He has dedicated his career to driving business opportunities through strategic and collaborative relationships. His focus on aligning common goals between stakeholders, Indigenous communities, and industry partners has resulted in the execution and management of over 60 joint ventures which have won more than $1 billion in contract awards.
He also worked for the territorial government and sat on the steering committee for the NWT Protected Areas Strategy. In this capacity, he was instrumental in helping to identify culturally and environmentally significant areas and formulating a strategy to protect them.
In addition to helping to develop a family-owned wilderness lodge business on Great Slave Lake, NWT, Brook developed dog sledding tourism packages for Japanese tourists who flocked to the North to witness the Northern Lights.
Steven Carleton is an Inuk professional and he lives in Ottawa with his wife and five daughters. He has strong connections to Canada’s diverse Indigenous communities with over a decade of experience dedicated to fostering positive change within First Nation and Inuit communities, specifically focusing on youth mental health.
A unique aspect of his professional journey includes firsthand experience in all 25 Nunavut communities, where he engaged with residents to understand their needs and collaborated on tailored solutions. He also conducted several youth mental health programming in Nunavut communities with the inclusion of Inuit elders and Inuit counsellors who collaborated closely with small groups of youth.
To Steven, reconciliation is more than just a vague concept, it represents the development of mutual trust, friendship, and partnership. He believes that Indigenous Relations Consulting can not only be a part of building bridges between our peoples but also contribute gainful employment opportunities for Indigenous youth while giving back and supporting our local Indigenous communities.
Julietta Sorensen Kass has diverse career experience that centers around her passion for what she calls “plants and people”. An environmental professional with a background spanning 9 years in environmental management, Julietta is an advocate for Indigenous rights and environmental preservation. Her path began as an Environmental Science student at the University of Lethbridge, where she honed her expertise as a field technician. Her passion for fostering connections between nature and society led her to become a Science Educator in the Middle East, where she developed impactful programs and events focused on environmental awareness.
Driven by her dedication to inclusivity and engagement, Julietta pursued a Master’s in Resource and Environmental Management at Dalhousie University. During her time there, she initiated “Text-A-Tree,” a community engagement and research initiative focused on urban nature. Through strategic partnerships, stakeholder collaboration, and dynamic communication, Julietta and her team successfully reached thousands of community members.
Julietta’s tenure at WSP, first as a Project Coordinator and then as a Human Engagement Specialist, showcased her prowess in collaboration, community relations, and regulatory compliance. Her most recent role as Indigenous Programs Lead at ECO Canada further demonstrated her ability to foster teamwork and execute tailored programs that address the unique needs of Indigenous communities.
Most days you can find Julietta playing outside with her family or enjoying a cup of tea with the company of her pet parakeets. Julietta is proud of both her European and Red River Métis heritage.
With a “team first” mentality and drive to help others, Billy combines his education with developed skills gained from 8+ years of professional experience to guide companies through the necessary path to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
From studying Business Administration at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta, and Cape Breton University, in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Billy has since been able to develop the skills to maneuver through different industries including Tourism, Digital Sales and Marketing. While accumulating knowledge from one industry to the next, Billy has been able to effectively connect and guide the relationships needed to create inclusive, prosperous relationships between companies and the communities where they wish to do business.
As an avid sports fan and former high-performance athlete, when Billy is not at work you can find him at a local hockey rink, baseball field or golf course as sports have always been a passion of his. When not supporting local teams or participating in sports activities you can find him at the park or on a hike with his partner Emily and German Shepherd, Phoebe.
Deanna oversees the day-to-day operations of DHIR. She brings a vibrant energy to the office and is excited to continue learning about Indigenous culture and the positive impact DHIR has on Indigenous communities. She loves that our company has a “people first” environment.
Deanna possesses an educational background in Early Childhood Education which enabled her to own and operate her own childcare facility for years before making the switch to Home Health Care. In October of 2021 she switched hats once again and joined the amazing team as DHIR Inc.’s office manager.
She has lived most of her life in the Halifax area, and because of that, has many close ties to her community. When Deanna’s not at work, you can find her exploring the outdoors, travelling, and spending time with family and friends, especially spending time with her grandchildren.
Dave, a native of a small town in Alberta, has a rich background in human resources, having served in various roles within HR departments across industries ranging from major corporations to small businesses. With over 20 years of experience at Dow Chemical of Canada, he started as an operator and later transitioned to roles in employee relations and training.
Drawing upon his extensive experience and insights gained, Dave made the move to the picturesque Okanagan region of British Columbia. There, he founded Human Performance Management Inc., an organization dedicated to educating and training the underemployed population. Dave’s philosophy centers around the belief that true success is driven by motivation rather than monetary compensation. He emphasizes the importance of employers empowering their employees with the necessary tools, skills, and support for individual success. Dave advocates for recognizing and nurturing employee achievements to fuel ongoing success and growth.
Keegan-Skye Beazley, proudly Mi’kmaq First Nations (L’nu, “the people”), originates from Gold River, Nova Scotia, also known as Amapapskegek, the Rocky River. With a wealth of experience in Indigenous wellness promotion, Keegan-Skye currently serves as a Community Engagement and Public Relations Coordinator Co-op student at DHIR Inc., fostering inclusion and innovation within diverse communities through purpose-driven initiatives.
Pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Social Justice & Community Studies from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, NS, Keegan has been recognized for her academic and community contributions, receiving the Chief Noel Doucette Award from Acadia First Nations and holding a GBA+ Certification from Women & Gender Equity Canada.
Keegan-Skye’s commitment lies in advancing cultural wellness, knowledge preservation, and the imperative process of decolonization within Indigenous communities. Her aspirations revolve around leveraging her background and experiences to make meaningful contributions in these areas, fostering understanding, empowerment, and healing.
Keegan-Skye was previously Saint Mary’s first Indigenous Wellness Ambassador, collaborating closely with the Indigenous Student Advisor to organize wellness events, provide peer support, and promote cultural pride and belonging among Indigenous students.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Keegan-Skye is a devoted pet mom of two cats and enjoys writing, singing, and being in nature.
