About us

Indigenous Works, formerly the Aboriginal Human Resource Council, is an Indigenous national social enterprise. We are ISO 9001 certified and a Certified Aboriginal Business with CCAB.

We were founded as a not-for-profit national organization in 1998 as a recommendation from the 1996 Report on the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples with a mandate to improve the inclusion and engagement of Indigenous people in the Canadian economy. We were incorporated in 1999 and in 2024 we will celebrate our 25th Anniversary.

Indigenous Works is an Indigenous-led organization governed by a board of directors (Indigenous-majority governance) including private sector businesses, NGOs, Indigenous economic development corporations and independent directors. We do not receive core government funding. We operate as an Indigenous social enterprise and non-profit business that is supported by fees from our community of Employer Partners, training, and consulting services. We also conduct advanced research with public, private and research agency funding to address challenges and create Indigenous inclusion solutions. 

For 25 years, we have worked with companies and organizations to strengthen their performance and results in Indigenous employment, workplace engagement and inclusion. We have been recognized nationally for our leadership in workplace inclusion and for facilitating stronger Indigenous inclusion strategies in Canadian corporations. 

Our services help organizations to climb the Inclusion Continuum – a seven-stage road map that helps organizations showcase their commitment to becoming an Employer of Choice and Partner of Choice for Indigenous peoples. Organizations can choose to embark on the IW Employer of Choice Journey and Certification. The first phase is an Inclusion Journey Assessment followed by the formal certification process. For organizations that are further along in their inclusion practices, advancing directly to the Employer of Choice Certification may be the right fit. Regardless of your place on the Inclusion Continuum, we can help you enhance your attraction, recruitment and retention strategies.

We are steadfast in our mandate and commitment to work with our Employer Partners to accelerate Indigenous employment and inclusion — it is changing the lives of people, communities and our country and we invite you to join us.

Our Certifications

ISO 9001:2015 Certified with QAS International 

PSIB certified - Indigenous Business Directory

CCAB Certified Aboriginal Business - Member profile