Two Eyed Seeing Network
The Two Eyed Seeing Network seeks to balance Indigenous & Western perspectives.
The Two Eyed Seeing Network launched in 2020 to strengthen links between industry, training providers, workforce development services and Indigenous populations. British Columbia has increased demand for skilled workers across multiple industries, which is intensified by trying to keep up with global technology advances. Indigenous youth provide a significant source of labour and would solve future skills shortages. However, they are primarily left out of conversations for future skills and training.
Taking a Two-Eyed Seeing approach means that we invite everyone to the table to network for change. Focusing on innovation, reciprocity, capacity building and honouring Indigenous ways of knowing and being in a modern climate.
The Two Eyed Seeing Network was established to:
- Create opportunities for Indigenous youth participation in high-demand jobs of tomorrow.
- Create workforce development pathways that make sense to industry, Indigenous communities, and education providers alike.
- Increase understanding of what industry-specific successful pathway development looks like.
- Develop measurements and milestones that are determined by, and make sense to, the Network.
- Create cross-cultural understanding between employers and Indigenous communities.
- Increase relationships that allow future independent and collective collaboration between participants.
Our Guiding Values
- Two-eyed seeing is based in partnership, openness, respect and understanding.
- Diversity and inclusion are key enablers to growth and success; creating environments that value individuals and support belonging and connectivity helps establish a high-performing culture.
- All elements of the ecosystem must be engaged to fully understand the dynamics, and opportunities and challenges.
- Solutions must be practical and tangible; if we can point to it and describe it, others will understand it as well.
- Solutions must allow for local innovation and adaptation and must meet the needs of both industry and Indigenous populations alike, to be valuable.
Meet The Team Leading This Project
Dean Heron
Tara Whitney
Justin Young
Colleen McConnell
Patsey Greyeyes, BSW
Therese Hagen
Partners, Funders & Donors
The Two Eyed Seeing Network is made possible by:
In March 2021, the Two Eyed Seeing Network project was launched with the intent to create a network (of Indigenous communities, industry leaders, workforce & social development experts, and education/training providers), to bridge gaps, remove barriers, reduce impacts to interruptions like COVID-19 and establish a pathway to future work for Indigenous youth. The Network took a Two-Eyed Seeing approach – blending new technologies, standards, and practices while honouring the whole person – in sectors with high future demand (clean technology; clean energy; natural resource extraction/processing; marine shipping; the built environment; and manufacturing).
Between March 2021 and March 2023, Two Eyed Seeing Network was generously funded by Future Skills Centre.
The initial Two Eyed Seeing Network launched as a partnership led by the Construction Foundation of BC, with Two Eyed Seeing Consulting CCC Inc., Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC), Foresight Cleantech Accelerator Centre, Vancouver Island University and the Electrical Joint Training Committee.
The Two Eyed Seeing Network roundtable discussions continued in 2023 and 2024 as part of the Sky Keeper project. These discussions focused on high tech applications for drone use in First Nation communities. The Sky Keeper project trained over 50 First Nations community members, who ultimately received certification through Transport Canada.
Between March 2023 and March 2024, funding was generously provided by DIGITAL to continue nurturing the Network.
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