ALTRnative Nomad: Check out our new initiative dedicated to telling, supporting, and sharing Indigenous stories through film media!

Empowering Voices Through Storytelling

Diversity & Inclusion through an Indigenous lens.

About our founder.

Tera founded Kalawikk Diversity Inc. after 20 years working in the adult education classroom. Leveraging this experience and research with adult education theories and the Mi'Kmaw Guiding Principles of Two-Eyed Seeing, the CLEAR framework was developed.

Using a storytelling approach to training and facilitation, Tera's work is guided by their embodied knowledge and Indigeneity to move your team towards their fullest potential. This delivery style has been referred to as 'engaging' and 'compelling' by audience members. Tera's presence stands out as shown by their participation on a guest panel for Keyin College in October 2023 ended up being the top rated speaker out of 44!

Leaning into the power of story, Tera has expanded their journey to include documentary and written work. Their first work, 'Unsung: Stories of Mi'Kmaq Veterans,' takes audiences into the lives of Mi'Kmaw soldiers spanning timeline including the First World War to the Oka Crisis. Available on Bell Fibe TV1, viewers will join Tera learning these stories in intimate settings and discover the true motivations of men and women choosing to put on the uniform.

In June of 2024, Tera's entrepreneurial story was published alongside 20 other Atlantic Canadian Indigenous entrepreneurs. With Grit and Grace, Vol 2 is available on Amazon and two weeks after its debut, this testament to the strength of Indigenous entrepreneurship hit the 'Top Rated' Native Biography on Amazon.

Indigenous Awareness Training

Overview

  • Introduction to Indigenous Peoples in Canada (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit).
  • Understanding the impacts of colonization and residential schools.
  • Contemporary Indigenous issues and their relevance to your business.
  • Practical steps for building respectful relationships with Indigenous communities.
  • Best For: Teams seeking a foundational understanding of Indigenous histories and perspectives.
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Reconciliation-Informed DEI Training

Overview

  • Deep dive into the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
  • Building policies and practices that support Indigenous inclusion in the workplace.
  • Strategies for engaging with Indigenous suppliers and creating meaningful partnerships.
  • Creating a reconciliation-informed DEI roadmap for your organization.
  • Best For: Companies committed to long-term reconciliation action and DEI integration.
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Combined Program: Indigenous Awareness & Reconciliation-Informed DEI

Overview

  • Sessions designed to increase cultural competency while integrating reconciliation principles into your DEI practices.
  • Interactive discussions and exercises to build long-lasting organizational change.
  • Customized action plans and next steps for continued reconciliation efforts.
  • Best For: Teams looking for a more extensive, multi-layered approach to Indigenous awareness and DEI.
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the power of storytelling is reconciliation in action

Reconciliation informed DEI is more than AWARENESS.

Awareness of the importance of Reconciliation before DEI is vital and part of the CLEAR framework. Knowledge without reasonable action cannot create measurable change. Kalawikk guides your team through actionable skills development supporting your organization's diversity and inclusion goals and making them achievable.

MAKE IT CLEAR

What is the CLEAR framework?

What is CLEAR?

CLEAR is the research backed, 2-eyed seeing framework upheld by Reconciliation developed by Kalawikk to support organizations like yours discover and harness the potential of diversity. This framework focuses on leveraging awareness to inform lasting action giving teams the needed knowledge and tools to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion.

What is the value of 2-eyed seeing?

Known as the method of balancing Indigenous ways of knowing and doing with our western system, 2-eyed seeing was developed by Mi'Kmaw Elder Dr Albert Marshall. Finding ways to incorporate 2-eyed seeing is a part of the road to reconcilliation. As our founder is Mi'Kmaw, and creator of this framework, it informs their work as they decolonize the dei experience.

Why does CLEAR focus on behaviour over awareness?

Cultural awareness is very important. In fact, it is a key component to the CLEAR framework. But Kalawikk takes your team further teaching the skills needed to move past personal bias and build empathy, known respectively as the block to inclusion and the solution. Often awareness sessions can leave teams confused as to next steps or what they are even meant to do with the knowledge. Kalawikk provides a path to guide actionable change towards a kind space.

How does CLEAR work for my industry?

Modeled to be flexible, just like our diverse teams, CLEAR was created and is managed by a veteran adult educator with the skills and talent to adapt training to your industry's unique needs. An up front audit of your organization provides all the information to make sure you get everything your team needs for success from the entry point appropriate to your current dei journey.

What is a Kind Space?

A kind space is safe. It is where each member of your team is heard, valued, and understood. Sounds lofty, but imagine if we tapped into the unique perspectives and sought out innovation from the people who already work with us. When we can show up as we are, we bring our best selves to the table.

A kind space is where everyone can reach their fullest potential.

Reconciliation Across Turtle Island

Tera played an invaluable role in the Northern WE in Tourism Indigenous-led research project. As an expert panelist on our Day of Ceremony presentation at the International Indigenous Tourism Conference 2023, Tera generously shared her lived knowledge of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and innovative practices she applies through her business Kalawikk.

Navigating difficult conversations with grace and humility, she provided insight into diversity as a critical driver of innovation and the value of embracing differences to pave safer, more nimble roads to sustainable livelihoods and economic diversity. As a proud Indigenous entrepreneur, Tera seamlessly applies traditional knowledge to business practices using Two-Eyed-Seeing to tap the potential of Indigenous people on the road to reconciliation. Her mastery of the DEI field is enriched by her years spent teaching students, ensuring every individual's learning style is acknowledged, valued, and addressed. Bringing these skills to workplace training is imperative to create safe and inclusive spaces for individuals of all backgrounds, talents, and orientations on the road to reconciliation.

Tera is brave and talented, but above all else, she is passionately committed and able to teach us how to create an equitable world filled with hope.

~Yvette Rasmussen, ITAC Consultant

Working with Tera was amazingly easy and fulfilling. She listened to me and brought my best ideas forward. This foundation evolved to become my course. I highly recommend working with her. It was a positive and uplifting process that flowed smoothly from start to finish.

Kathryn Taylor - Kathryn Taylor Media

Course Development Testimonial