IMPACT ASSESSMENT | CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION | TERRITORIAL PLANNING
We acknowledge that our office is located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation. We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past, and we dedicate ourselves to move forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.
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About Us
Our Story
Founded in 2017
Stories are powerful. Stories teach, advance diplomacy, break barriers, and promote healing. Our story represents an effort to amplify voices that may otherwise go unheard, or unaddressed despite being heard. Narratives emerged to negotiate space for early, respectful dialogue for all parties to make informed decisions that align with their principles, values, and ways of being. It emerged to advance a holistic understanding of how projects, initiatives, policies, plans, and actions impact the social, cultural, biophysical, and spiritual fabric of the world within and around us. It emerged to push the boundaries of research, policy, planning, and practice. It emerged to do our part on the path to reconciliation, one story at a time. From the place where the Red meets the Assiniboine, within the traditional territories of the Anishinaabe, the Cree, the Oji-Cree, the Dakota, and the Dene peoples, in Treaty 1 territory, and the homeland of the Métis, we are Narratives.
How We Work
Principles of UNDRIP
Our work is informed by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and deeply inspired by the principles of storywork: respect, responsibility, reciprocity, reverence, holism, interrelatedness, and synergy. These inform our approach to Impact Assessment, while integrating the best practice principles of Impact Assessment by the IAIA. Together, these principles enable us to push the boundaries of best practice, approach each project with creativity, curiosity, and deliberate thinking about how we can do better each time.
Our Values
Sustainable, Ethical
Narratives is dedicated to operating in an ethical and sustainable manner. We are committed to taking deliberate steps to protect human rights, the community, society, and the environment in which we operate.
Narratives is committed to being a leader in sustainability through focused decision-making that supports and promotes environmental sustainability. Care for the environment is one of our vital responsibilities as an environmental firm, and key to how we conduct business. We strive to manage our carbon footprint, decrease our overall environmental impact, and reduce our energy use to contribute to a healthier planet for us, and our future generations.
Who We Work With
Clients and Partners
Narratives works with Indigenous communities, provincial, federal, municipal, and territorial governments, and industry to support informed decision-making.
For more information on the services we provide, please see our Services.
Reciprocity
Corporate Social Responsibility
At Narratives we recognize that the manners in which we lead, work, and behave are driven by our core values. As such, Narratives is committed to meeting the highest standards of ethics and professionalism and believe this must be done through a holistic approach to corporate responsibility. We are committed to reinvesting in and supporting our community in addressing developmental priorities. Through community investment, Narratives is supporting local capacity building, livelihoods development and skills transfer. We take an active role in community participation, at present, having contributed to our community through the following activities:
- Providing active mentorship and coaching in partnership with universities and colleges across Canada.
- Supporting several causes in our community (both through monetary and in-kind support) including the North Point Douglas Women’s Centre, the Dream Room Project, the Shameless Circle, Central Asia Institute, Kenora Friendship Centre, Clan Mothers, CancerCare Manitoba and the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba.
- Donating Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other supplies to local organizations and communities in response to COVID-19.
- Providing pro bono business services to several not-for-profits.
Our Services
Territorial and
Community Planning
Supporting communities with building community-based long-term visions and identifying economic development goals and mechanisms to achieve those. Assisting communities with land use planning, developing consultation and engagement protocols, corporate governance structures, and training and development needs. Identifying and leveraging funding to support various planning initiatives.
Impact Assessment
Supporting communities with conducting assessments that are rooted in the Indigenous worldview and reflective of best practice principles of Impact Assessment. Supporting communities with conducting psycho-social, cultural, spiritual, and social impact assessments to understand project impacts more holistically.
Using tools such as mapping, videography, and other creative media to better inform decision-making.
Research & Analysis
Capacity Building
Supporting the design and implementation of capacity building programs in mining and resource development, land use planning, community engagement, and project coordination. Offering training workshops in Indigenous engagement, cultural awareness, impact assessment, and conflict transformation.
Conducting guest lectures and workshops, and offering keynote addresses on Free, Prior, and Informed Consent, Impact Assessment, Engagement, and Professional Development in the planning sector.
Identifying and leveraging funding to support capacity building and training initiatives.
Traditional Land
Use Studies
Working under the guidance of the elders, conducting archival and oral history research to document historical and current land use to support various development files.
Mapping, videography, art, and curriculum support so communities can promote inter-generational learning.
Identifying and leveraging funding sources to support and streamline studies.
Negotiations
Acting as lead negotiators on Process Agreements, Resource-sharing Agreements, Relationship Agreements, or Impact-benefit Agreements that allow for mutually agreeable benefits to be realized.
Compiling technical information to support negotiations or advising on negotiations.
Providing for ongoing mentorship and capacity building so communities can apply the processes and mechanisms on other active files.
Identifying and leveraging funding to support and streamline existing negotiations.