In light of the Truth and Reconciliation Report, Call to Action 93 and our own commitment to working with our Indigenous partners and friends, we have developed an Engagement Approach founded in our four key pillars. These pillars represent our commitment to Indigenous reconciliation and building respectful, trust-based relationships with our Indigenous partners. Each pillar represents a different aspect of our commitment to Indigenous peoples to support Mother Earth and bring new opportunities to Indigenous communities where we live and work. At the heart of our approach is the central principle of Respect. Respect for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Respect for each other and the environment. Respect for Indigenous environmental knowledge that has been accumulated since time immemorial. As well as Respect for the belief that by braiding Indigenous Wisdom and Western knowledge together, we can achieve culturally informed and sustainable approaches to restoring the environment for future generations.

Leaf Ninjas are dedicated to cultivating a workplace culture that embraces and values Indigenous perspectives, guided by the principle of "two-eyed seeing." This approach is rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems and encourages the braiding of Indigenous ways of knowing and our expertise in Western perspectives to understand and care for the land. Our commitment to this principle is evident in our first pillar, where we prioritize the creation of a workforce that respects and integrates Indigenous wisdom into our work. Through cultural awareness training and immersive land learning experiences, we equip our team members to recognize the interconnectedness of all ecosystems and value the significance of holistic approaches to environmental restoration, integrating both Indigenous and Western perspectives.

Leaf Ninjas provides mentorship, training, direct employment and procurement opportunities for Indigenous peoples and businesses. We embrace a reciprocal relationship where Indigenous partners contribute complementary knowledge, guidance and experience to our team. This includes paid training for Indigenous employees, capacity-building workshops in Indigenous communities and economic partnerships with Indigenous businesses to expand the range and inclusiveness of our services across Western Canada.

We celebrate the inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge in all our projects and operational decisions. As an implementation-focused organization, we ensure that the information provided by Indigenous peoples and communities translates directly into real-world action. Our collaboration with Indigenous partners is meaningful because we put that knowledge to work on the land. We all share in the gifts of Mother Earth, and we all share in the responsibility to defend the health of the environment. We believe this is an integral component of our mission.

At Leaf Ninjas, we approach our interactions with honour, respect, and kindness. It's not just about business; it's about fostering meaningful connections. We strive to share experiences and truly get to know people on a personal level, emphasizing that our intentions go beyond a transactional relationship. It’s integral to our vision and mission to cultivate lasting friendships with Indigenous communities in the regions where we reside and operate. Working with our Indigenous partners, we have developed a detailed Engagement Strategy that we utilize to build respectful, trust-based relationships that transcend beyond a particular project or proposal. In our partnership with Indigenous communities, we value the input of Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Holders and community members to inform our operations and strategic planning, reflecting our commitment to mutual respect, understanding and friendship.