A holistic approach to capacity building: For professionals working with indigenous communities

The history of Education in Canada has been systemically and generational destructive to Aboriginal people and culture. This history of destruction has caused systemic racism throughout our school systems resulting in lower graduation rates and a lack of equity in achievement within education resulting in gaps in social-economic disparity for Aboriginal People in Canada (Archibald & Hare, 2017). This research project aims to address a gap in the education of educators in regard to closing the gap and working together for reconciliation. This project provides a framework for a holistic understanding of how to approach working within First Nations communities within the education system or across systems. The result of this project is a guidebook and PowerPoint presentation for professional development. The project provides educational professionals with some tools and knowledge to improve inclusive and culturally sensitive practice. The project delivers a common goal framework conceptualized by the researcher and adapted from a generalized, personal, and interpretative understanding of the Aboriginal Medicine Wheel. The four-part conceptual framework includes leadership, holistic approach, capacity building, and ethical considerations with the common goal in the center. The project brings together the concepts important to achieving the common goal of improving professional capacity when working with Aboriginal People and First Nations communities.