Empowering Indigenous Communities Through Thoughtful Advisory

Offices in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, & Washington, D.C.

Welcome to NLS Corp., where our commitment to excellence, integrity, and inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do. As a female-owned and female-managed consulting firm, we bring a unique blend of experience, dedication, and personalized service to every project we undertake. Serving Canada including all three Territories and the USA, our Indigenous Advisory Services are designed to serve Indigenous communities with the utmost respect, collaboration, and strategic insight. We believe in creating sustainable, culturally appropriate advisory strategies that honor the rich heritage of Indigenous peoples while fostering growth and prosperity.

amazing mountain sunset

Our Approach to Indigenous Advisory

Beautiful sunrise with mountains, river and meadows in Ushguli, Georgia

Respect and Reciprocity

At NLS Corp., we acknowledge and respect the traditional and unceded territories of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people across Canada. Our approach to Indigenous advisory is rooted in respect and reciprocity. We believe in engaging with Indigenous communities in a manner that values their knowledge, traditions, and perspectives.

  • Community Engagement: We prioritize direct and meaningful engagement with community members, ensuring their voices are heard and integrated into the advisory process.
  • Allyship: Our team is committed to being allies for Indigenous communities, working to understand and respect the unique cultural practices and traditions of each community we serve.
Mountain landscape at dawn. Sunbeams in a valley. High rocky mountains. Alberta, Canada.

Collaborative Advisory

Successful advisory services require collaboration. We work closely with Indigenous leaders, community members, and stakeholders to co-create advisory strategies that are aligned with the community’s vision and goals.

  • Inclusive Workshops: Organizing workshops and meetings that include a diverse range of voices from within the community.
  • Stakeholder Involvement: Ensuring that all relevant stakeholders, including elders, youth, and local organizations, are involved in the advisory process.
Wetlands

Sustainable Development

Our advisory services are designed to promote sustainable development that balances wellbeing with cultural preservation.

  • Cultural Preservation: Integrating cultural heritage preservation into all advisory initiatives to protect and celebrate Indigenous traditions and practices.
  • Health and Social Services: We specialize in areas such as Family and Child Services Reform (Bill C-92), mental health and substance use, and general healthcare. For example, we are currently working with the BC Ministry of Health on a project to integrate Indigenous Knowledge with Western Knowledge to support policy development, care practices, and health system priorities.

Key Services

mountain and meadow of yellow flowers

Funding Strategies and Grant Writing

Many Indigenous communities face challenges in accessing funding for critical needs. Our advisory services include developing funding strategies and providing grant writing support to help secure necessary resources.

  • Funding Identification: Identifying potential funding opportunities from government sources, private foundations, and other organizations.
  • Grant Writing: Providing comprehensive grant writing services to help communities prepare compelling grant applications.
  • Application Support: Assisting with the entire application process, including gathering necessary documentation, crafting narratives, and ensuring compliance with funding requirements.
  • Capacity Building: Training community members in grant writing and fundraising techniques to build long-term capacity within the community.

**Contact us to inquire about our grant writing subscription service

Summer mountain meadow

Health and Social Services

Access to health and social services is critical for the overall well-being of Indigenous communities. We provide planning services that aim to improve access to these essential services.

  • Healthcare Planning: Developing plans to improve access to healthcare services, including customized solutions for remote communities.
  • Social Services: Creating integrated social service programs that address the needs of community members.
  • Wellness Initiatives: Promoting wellness initiatives that focus on mental, physical, and spiritual well-being, including substance-use recovery.
Green meadow in mountains

Education and Youth Engagement

Investing in education and youth engagement is vital for the future of Indigenous communities. Our planning services include strategies to enhance educational opportunities and engage youth.

  • Extracurricular Programs:  Developing extracurricular programs that enrich the lives of children and promote positive growth.
  • Youth Leadership: Creating opportunities for youth to develop leadership skills and participate in community planning.
  • Scholarship Programs: Assisting in the development of scholarship programs to support higher education for Indigenous students.
Mountain summer landscape, alpine meadows, Caucasus mountains

Strategic Planning

Strategic planning is essential for setting a clear direction and achieving long-term goals. Our strategic planning services are tailored to meet the specific needs of Indigenous communities.

  • Visioning Sessions: Facilitating visioning sessions to help communities articulate their long-term goals and aspirations.
  • Goal Setting: Assisting in setting realistic and achievable goals that are aligned with the community’s vision.
  • Action Plans: Developing detailed action plans that outline the steps needed to achieve the community’s goals.
Landscape view of Caucasus mountains and meadows in Svaneti, Georgia

Economic Development

Economic development is a key component of our planning services, aimed at creating opportunities for prosperity and self-sufficiency within Indigenous communities.

  • Economic Assessments: Evaluating the economic potential of various industries and resources within the community.
  • Business Development: Providing support for the development of community-owned businesses and enterprises.
  • Job Creation: Identifying opportunities for job creation and workforce development to support local economies.

Our Commitment

At NLS Corp., we are committed to supporting Indigenous communities through thoughtful and respectful advisory services. Our approach is guided by a commitment to integrity, transparency, and accountability. We recognize the importance of building trust and fostering long-term relationships with the communities we serve.

Building Trust

Trust is the foundation of our work. We strive to build trust through transparent communication, respectful engagement, and consistent follow-through.

  • Transparent Communication: Keeping community members informed and involved throughout the process.
  • Respectful Engagement: Approaching every interaction with respect and a willingness to listen and learn.
  • Consistency: Ensuring that we deliver on our promises and maintain a consistent presence within the community.

Promoting Equity and Inclusion

We believe in promoting equity and inclusion in all our initiatives. Our goal is to create plans that are inclusive and equitable, ensuring that all community members have a voice in the process.

  • Equitable Participation: Encouraging the participation of all community members, including those who may be marginalized or underrepresented.
  • Inclusive Practices: Implementing practices that promote inclusion and ensure that diverse perspectives are considered.

Continuous Improvement

We are committed to continuous improvement and learning. We recognize that the needs of Indigenous communities are dynamic, and we strive to adapt and evolve our services to meet these changing needs.

  • Feedback and Evaluation: Seeking feedback from community members and stakeholders to continually improve our services.
  • Adaptability: Remaining flexible and adaptable in our approach to meet the unique needs of each community.
Mountain summer landscape, alpine meadows, Caucasus mountains

Partner with Us

Choosing NLS Corp. for your Indigenous advisory needs means partnering with a dedicated team committed to your community’s success. Our holistic and culturally respectful approach ensures that our planning services are tailored to your unique needs and aspirations.

  • Collaborative Solutions: Working together to create plans that are truly reflective of your community’s values and goals.
  • Expert Guidance: Leveraging our expertise to provide actionable insights and recommendations.
  • Long-Term Commitment: Building lasting relationships and supporting your community’s growth and prosperity.

Connect With Us

At NLS Corp., your decision goes beyond hiring a consulting firm, it signifies a partnership with former executives with real-world experience in running successful businesses; unwavering in our commitment to integrity, honesty, and transparency in all our endeavors.