The IISAAK OLAM Foundation is the first Indigenous not-for-profit in Canada dedicated to supporting Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs). This includes offering advisory services directly to Indigenous Nations and governments who are navigating the planning and management of IPCAs within their traditional territories and homelands. Due to the capacity of our small team, we currently provide advising services in ways that guarantee broader impact: Through our Westcoast IPCA Support Program, via the resources we create for the IPCA Knowledge Basket, and during tailored Productive Retreats.
We ground our work in Ethical Space, a relational approach to cross-cultural collaboration, based on the understanding that all knowledge systems are of equal value. We bring this approach to project planning, braiding Indigenous knowledge systems and Western knowledge systems.
Our approach is to walk alongside Indigenous Nations and governments, respecting protocols and existing processes, acknowledging and learning from the work that has already taken place, and advising where needed and desired. Our goal is to strengthen and embed capacity and participate when and where we are invited.
IOF offers expertise in a diverse range of subject areas, including planning, conservation finance, engineering, food sovereignty, land-based learning, and Ethical Space.
We take a collaborative approach to all of our work, building on the strengths and skills of each individual. We offer a wide range of skillsets, including project management, communications and outreach, community engagement, facilitation (online and in-person), fundraising, and graphic design. We function as project managers, facilitators, conveners, researchers, and planners.
IOF designed the West Coast IPCA Support Program (WISP) as a way to ensure long-term, continuous support for Indigenous Nations who are interested in IPCAs, from the Pacific Northwest to South America. We have also supported the Assembly of First Nations, the Manitoba Métis Federation, the Métis National Council, and individual Nations with IPCA-related initiatives.
