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Ready to Walk Together

Before we begin any formal work, we start by listening.

Before any capacity-building or policy work begins, we first walk slowly, with care. Our foundational service - Ready to Walk Together - is a community-centred tool designed to help your Nation reflect on its current relationship with data, identify priorities, and explore what sovereignty means in your unique context.

This is not a checklist or audit. Its a relational journey rooted in listening, witnessing, and reflecting - one that respects your Nation's way of knowing and decision-making. 

It creates space for dialogue, connection, and self-assessment, so that any future work is grounded in relationship, cultural values, and at your Nation's own pace. This service also helps us to listen, observe, and learn about your community and culture so that all future services can be better grounded in good practice.  

Ready to Walk Together is a four-part process that includes:


Listening & Learning

We begin by taking the time to understand your Nation's culture, values, and vision. This includes learning about local protocols, data stories, current practices, and what sovereignty means in your specific context. We are honoured when invited to receive teachings, sit in ceremony, hear language, and build relationships. These moments are not taken lightly - they are foundational to our approach and guide our partnership.

Observing

With your guidance, we observe current workflows, data processes, and information systems. This may include reviewing active laws, policies, partnership agreements, and technical infrastructure. We witness - not to judge or evaluate - but to better understand the practical realities and strengths already in place.

Facilitated Conversations

We hold space for key voices in your Nation to share their perspectives. Through interviews or group conversations, we explore a range of views on data governance, privacy, consent, and sovereignty. This part of the process helps surface both shared understandings and area where more dialogue or support may be needed. 

Reflections & Report

We compile everything into a thoughtful, strengths-based summary and readiness scan. The final report includes:

  • A high-level assessment using the Wabusk Principles Alignment Compass
  • Reflections from what was shared and observed
  • A summary of key strengths and values
  • Tailored recommendations for the next steps - whether that means capacity building, framework creation, or simply more time to reflect as a community

We recognize that you are the experts on your community, your values, and your needs. Our job is to listen, observe and interpret these. However, we never assume we interpret correctly the first time, and will involve you before finalizing the report as well as hold a review session with key community-members to discuss the final report.All work product we deliver will work to reflect your Nation at every level from appropriate use of language to supporting local artists - in partnership with your socials, we put out a call out for artwork that can be included in your reports!


Why This Matters

Starting with relationship and reflection ensures that any services we co-create together are grounded , appropriate, and community-led. The Ready to Walk Together process is not a prerequisite (although highly recommended) - it's a promise that we will move at your pace, in your way.