Technology weaves through nearly all aspects of our lives. BC’s economy is heavily reliant on technology – there is no such thing as an isolated “tech sector” anymore. That’s why our people and communities must participate and lead in the future of technology and influence how it will continue to shape digital society. We’re filling gaps in labour market data by providing regionally-specific information that prioritizes BC First Nations’ rights and visions for the future.

The Indigenous Leadership in Technology Project (ILIT) is a multi-year research project that looks at the current state of Indigenous leadership in technology in BC from an Indigenous and industry perspective.

This work is guided by Indigenous knowledge, values, and ways of being to reflect and honour the stories and wisdom of our peoples and communities. Participants in this project include BC First Nations leadership, Indigenous Peoples living in BC including youth and Elders, and key partners from sectors including education, tech, recruitment, research, and more.

Our goal is for our research to be widely used by First Nations Leadership, governments and key partners across all areas of BC’s economy to increase Indigenous leadership in today’s digital society and the economy.

Background

In January 2019, the First Nations Technology Council completed the initial phase of a multi-year project entitled, Indigenous Leadership in Technology: Understanding Access and Opportunities in BC. The project’s goals are to increase Indigenous participation in technology and innovation and better understand what is needed for our people and communities to gain access to and maximize opportunities in the digital age. During the project’s initial phase, we focused on broad engagement to uncover themes that would guide ongoing research and engagement in future phases of this work.

Using an Indigenous research approach that aligns with the principles of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP®), the goals of this project are to:

• understand the current and future demand for technology jobs in BC’s seven regions;
• understand the challenges preventing Indigenous peoples from participating in/accessing technology-related opportunities;
• understand the challenges and opportunities identified by Indigenous peoples relating to needed telecommunication infrastructure in their communities to enable economic growth and participation;
• understand the priorities in technology sectors including innovation, hiring, and Indigenous recruitment; and
• explore opportunities for boosting talent acquisition and participation of Indigenous peoples in technology industries.

The initial phase of the project was focused on engaging Indigenous people, communities and organizations to uncover themes that would guide ongoing research and engagement. Some of the key themes that emerged included barriers to connectivity and the need for increased technology industry partnership and mentorship opportunities for Indigenous peoples in BC.

Where Are We Now?

In January 2020, in partnership with the Information and Communications Technology Council and Reciprocal Consulting, with funding from the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training’s Sector Labour Market Partnerships Program, the Technology Council began the second phase of the Indigenous Leadership in Technology project. Surveys, virtual engagement sessions, interviews, and a literature review were used to achieve the project’s research objectives and were informed by our Indigenous Research Methodology, which is founded on the principles of OCAP.¹

Findings were used to produce a final report, which outlines the various strategies and areas for future investment that are required in order for Indigenous Peoples to participate in and thrive in BC’s growing digital economy. The Report includes a detailed description of Indigenous peoples’ vision for technology, current barriers to access as well as the top technology related in-demand jobs for each economic region, including employment trends, a five-year employment forecast, monthly snapshots, and emerging skills needs.