Indigenous Relations

Listening, Learning, and Acting with Purpose in Saskatchewan 

For us, Indigenous Relations is not just a moment of reflection, it is a journey. We take meaningful steps to listen, learn and act with purpose in partnership with Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan. 

Walking the Path of Reflection and Learning 

Our journey led us to participate in a traditional sweat lodge ceremony, a sacred space for healing, reflection and connection. 

Inside the lodge, surrounded by the elements of earth, fire, water, and air, we listened as Elders shared teachings about our responsibilities to the land, to one another and to future generations. 

This experience was more than spiritual. It became a guiding force, shaping the values that now underpin our Indigenous Relations path and our approach to sustainability guided by traditional knowledge. 

Through this sacred ceremony, four guiding principles took shape. They inspire us to understand recycling not just as an operation, but as a way of life created through respect, reciprocity and relationship.

  • Kinship and Interconnectedness (Wahkôtowin) 
    We are all related—people, animals, the land and the materials we use. Recycling honours these relationships by reducing harm and respecting the natural world. 
  • The Sacredness of Life (Pimâtisiwin) 
    Life is sacred. Recycling sustains life by protecting ecosystems, conserving resources and ensuring a healthier future for all living beings.
  • Kindness and Respect in Action (Miyo-wîcihtowin) 
    Good relationships are built on care. Recycling is an act of kindness to the Earth, to future generations and to our communities. 
  • Helping One Another (Sihtoskâtowin) 
    We cannot do it alone. Recycling is a shared responsibility, and when we support one another, we all thrive. 

We are also working to support Indigenous language revitalization by engaging with language keepers across Saskatchewan. Language carries culture, worldview and teachings, ensuring its survival means ensuring the continuation of Indigenous knowledge for future generations. 

We are committed to respecting the culturally rich history, Treaty, and inherent rights of the Nêhiyaw (Plains Cree, Woodland Cree, Swampy Cree), Nahkawininiwak (Saulteaux), Nakota (Assiniboine), Dakota and Lakota (Sioux), and Denesuline (Dene/Chipewyan) and Métis peoples.  
We value and respect the unique connection that Indigenous peoples have with Kisiskâciwan, the land known as Saskatchewan—meaning ‘the swift current.’ We embrace the opportunity for continued learning and shared experiences in our work of environmental stewardship and partnership.   

Honouring the past and reflecting on the present, we plant the seeds of a future built on kinship, sacredness, respect and shared responsibility. We are proud to support the following organizations in their work to revitalize our connection to land, stewardship and culture.

Like a seed placed gently in Mother Earth, reconciliation requires care, patience, and collective effort to grow into something lasting and life-giving. Together, we nurture this growth, listening, learning, and acting with purpose.