Indigenous Works
Indigenous Works is an Indigenous-led Canadian not-for-profit, founded in 1998, that provides membership programs, consulting, training, and Employer of Choice Certification to help Canadian employers advance Indigenous employment and workplace inclusion across all sectors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersSaskatoon, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Indigenous Works does
Indigenous Works is an Indigenous-led Canadian national not-for-profit organization founded in 1998 (originally as AHRDCC, rebranded in 2011) and headquartered in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The organization's mandate is to advance Indigenous employment and inclusion in Canadian workplaces by helping employers build talent pathways, create culturally respectful environments, and operationalize truth and reconciliation commitments. It serves Canadian employers across all sectors as its primary customer segment, with HR professionals as a secondary persona, and reports having supported 500+ organizations, 10,000+ professionals, and 1,000+ leaders through its programs.
The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected products and services. The core is the Leadership Circle Program, an annual membership providing access to the Learning Lodge platform, expert cultural guidance, exclusive forums, peer networks, and co-created multi-year inclusion roadmaps. This is complemented by Employer of Choice Certification (an evidence-based assessment with recertification cycles), instructor-led virtual training, Guiding Circles peer-learning sessions, a bookstore, and four consulting service lines covering Talent Strategies, Workplace + DEI Strategies, Truth + Reconciliation, and Leadership/Policy/ESG. Sub-brands include Kocihta (Indigenous youth innovation and employment), Luminary (Indigenous innovation, research, and entrepreneurship), and the Indigenous Careers Portal.
Indigenous Works generates revenue through a mix of recurring annual Leadership Circle membership fees, professional services fees for training and consulting, certification fees, and per-session webinar registration for non-partner organizations, with free webinar access for Employer Partners. The organization is also supported by government grant funding, including a $4M award from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada in December 2023. Go-to-market is sales-led and direct-to-employer, amplified by thought-leadership webinars, PR in outlets such as Globe and Mail and Benefits Canada, and strategic partnerships with provincial HR associations (CPHR BC & Yukon, CPHR Nova Scotia, CPHR Saskatchewan), HRPA, CCDI, Pride at Work, and academic partners including Carleton University's Sprott School of Business and Mount Allison University.
Indigenous Works firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Indigenous Works
- Legal name
- Indigenous Works
- Website
- https://iworks.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Indigenous Works is an Indigenous-led Canadian not-for-profit, founded in 1998, that provides membership programs, consulting, training, and Employer of Choice Certification to help Canadian employers advance Indigenous employment and workplace inclusion across all sectors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Indigenous Works is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saskatoon
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Indigenous Works business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Leadership Circle Membership: Annual membership program providing access to the Learning Lodge, expert guidance, exclusive forums, networks, and practical tools for building Indigenous inclusion in workplaces.
- Training Services: Instructor-led virtual training sessions and Guiding Circles offered to employers and professionals seeking Indigenous inclusion knowledge.
- Consulting Services: Customized consulting engagements covering talent strategies, workplace DEI strategies, truth and reconciliation, and leadership/policy/ESG services.
- Employer of Choice Certification: Certification program for organizations demonstrating commitment to Indigenous inclusion, with evidence-based assessment and recertification processes.
- Webinar Registration: Individual webinar registration fees for non-partner organizations, with free access for Leadership Circle Employer Partners.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Leadership Circle Membership fees vary by organization size and engagement level |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Individual webinar registration for non-partner organizations |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Indigenous Works product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Indigenous Works is a national not-for-profit organization that helps Canadian employers and organizations advance Indigenous employment and inclusion. It sells an annual Leadership Circle membership that bundles the Learning Lodge, expert cultural guidance, peer forums, and tools, alongside instructor-led training, customized consulting (talent strategies, workplace DEI, truth and reconciliation, leadership/policy/ESG), and an evidence-based Employer of Choice Certification program.
Product overview
Indigenous Works operates as an Indigenous-led national not-for-profit organization that has been advancing Indigenous employment and inclusion for over 25 years since 1998. The organization offers a portfolio of interconnected programs and services organized around a core Leadership Circle Program membership, complemented by consulting services (Talent Strategies, Workplace + DEI Strategies, Truth + Reconciliation, Leadership, Policy + ESG), training offerings (Instructor-led Training, Guiding Circles, Bookstore), and an Employer of Choice Certification program. Additionally, the organization manages national initiatives including Kocihta (Indigenous youth engagement), Luminary (Indigenous innovation and research), and the Indigenous Careers Portal. The portfolio also includes Thought Leadership Webinars and Annual Reports documenting impact.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Kocihta: A national initiative focused on Indigenous youth employment and innovation
- Luminary
Products and services
- Leadership Circle Program Annual membership program that provides Canadian organizations with access to the Learning Lodge, expert Indigenous cultural guidance, exclusive forums and networks, talent pathway development support, and practical tools for advancing Indigenous inclusion in the workplace.
- Instructor-led Training (Virtual)
- Guiding Circles Structured peer learning circles facilitated by Indigenous experts to support organizations on their inclusion journey.
- Employer of Choice Certification An evidence-based certification program that recognizes employers demonstrating excellence in Indigenous inclusion through an assessment framework, with recertification processes.
- Talent Strategies Consulting Customized consulting engagements helping organizations develop tailored talent attraction and retention strategies for Indigenous professionals.
- Workplace + DEI Strategies Consulting Consulting services for developing inclusive workplace policies and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies.
- Truth + Reconciliation Consulting Consulting services supporting organizations in advancing truth and reconciliation commitments within the workplace.
- Leadership, Policy + ESG Consulting Consulting services for developing leadership capabilities, policy frameworks, and ESG strategies related to Indigenous inclusion.
- Kocihta A national initiative focused on engaging Indigenous youth through innovation, entrepreneurship, and culture to build pathways to employment and economic opportunity.
- Luminary A national initiative supporting Indigenous innovation, research, education, and economic development partnerships.
- Indigenous Careers Portal / Career Centre A national portal connecting Indigenous job seekers with employers committed to Indigenous inclusion and career opportunities.
- Thought Leadership Webinars Monthly webinars providing practical insights, tools, and conversations supporting Indigenous inclusion and workplace transformation; free for Leadership Circle Employer Partners, registration fee for non-partners.
Quantifiable outcome
- 10,000+ professionals engaged through programs and network
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Indigenous Works
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Indigenous Works technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Indigenous Works partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI)coreStrategic collaboration to advance diversity and inclusion in Canadian workplaces through shared resources and expertise.
- Chartered Professionals in Human Resources BC & Yukon (CPHR BC & Yukon)corePartnership to support HR professionals in advancing Indigenous inclusion in British Columbia and Yukon workplaces.
- Chartered Professionals in Human Resources Nova Scotia (CPHR Nova Scotia)coreCollaboration to provide Indigenous inclusion resources and training for HR professionals in Nova Scotia.
- Chartered Professionals in Human Resources Saskatchewan (CPHR Saskatchewan)corePartnership to support HR professionals in Saskatchewan with Indigenous inclusion tools and guidance.
- Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA)coreStrategic partnership to advance Indigenous inclusion knowledge and resources among HR professionals.
- Pride at WorkcorePartnership to support LGBTQ+ and Indigenous inclusion intersection in Canadian workplaces.
- TAP - Tech + People NetworkcoreCollaboration to support technology sector employers in Indigenous talent attraction and inclusion.
- WileyminorPublisher partnership for Indigenous careers resources and content.
- Carleton University's Sprott School of BusinesscorePartnership to accelerate Indigenous education, research and economic development through collaborative initiatives.
- Protein Industries CanadaminorCollaboration to grow Indigenous-led research and innovation partnerships in the agriculture sector.
- Mount Allison UniversityminorLuminary partnership to support Indigenous entrepreneurship and innovation education.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Indigenous Works competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB): Canadian non-profit advancing Indigenous participation in the economy through employer engagement, certification, and programming; directly comparable to Indigenous Works as a Canadian Indigenous inclusion organization serving corporate and institutional members.
- Indspire: Canadian Indigenous-led charity funding Indigenous education and workforce development; overlaps with Indigenous Works on Indigenous talent pipeline-building, employer engagement, and educational programming.
- Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. Canadian consultancy providing Indigenous cultural awareness and inclusion training to employers and government — a direct commercial competitor to Indigenous Works' training and consulting services.
- First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC): Canadian Indigenous-led organization supporting First Nations participation in major resource and infrastructure projects; comparable as a Canadian Indigenous-led entity focused on Indigenous inclusion in corporate and economic development.
Broad incumbents
- Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI): National Canadian organization providing DEI training, consulting, and benchmarking to employers across all dimensions of diversity — broader than Indigenous Works but with overlapping training, advisory, and corporate membership offerings.
Regional players
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR): Canadian institution advancing truth and reconciliation education and research — overlaps with Indigenous Works' Truth + Reconciliation consulting practice and shared employer-facing programming, though primarily research/government-funded.
- AIME (Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience): Australian Indigenous-led mentoring and workforce pathway organization; comparable to Indigenous Works on Indigenous youth-to-employment pathways and employer engagement, but operating in Australia.
Emerging players
- AISES (American Indian Science and Engineering Society): US-based Indigenous-led organization advancing Indigenous representation in STEM workforce pipelines — comparable to Indigenous Works' talent pathway and Kocihta youth programming, but US-focused.
- Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC): Canadian non-profit supporting Indigenous and minority-owned supplier inclusion in corporate supply chains — comparable to Indigenous Works on Indigenous economic inclusion, though focused on procurement rather than employment.
Others
- Pride at Work Canada: Canadian inclusion organization focused on LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion and intersectional diversity — listed as a strategic partner of Indigenous Works and serves an overlapping employer membership base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Indigenous Works social profiles
Digital presenceIndigenous Works financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Indigenous Works leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Indigenous Works funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Indigenous Works M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Indigenous Works
What does Indigenous Works do?
Indigenous Works is a national not-for-profit organization that helps Canadian employers and organizations advance Indigenous employment and inclusion. It sells an annual Leadership Circle membership that bundles the Learning Lodge, expert cultural guidance, peer forums, and tools, alongside instructor-led training, customized consulting (talent strategies, workplace DEI, truth and reconciliation, leadership/policy/ESG), and an evidence-based Employer of Choice Certification program.
When was Indigenous Works founded?
Indigenous Works was founded in 1998. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Indigenous Works based?
Indigenous Works is headquartered in Saskatoon, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Indigenous Works make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Leadership Circle Membership is the primary driver. The others are training Services, consulting Services, employer of Choice Certification and webinar Registration.
Who are Indigenous Works's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB), Indspire, Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. and First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC). Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) is listed as a broad incumbent. Regional players are National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) and AIME (Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience). Emerging players are AISES (American Indian Science and Engineering Society) and Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC). Pride at Work Canada is listed as an others.
Does Indigenous Works have an API?
No public API is recorded for Indigenous Works.