Creative Fire Research, Policy and Education

Vision

Creative Fire is a First Nation community-owned and operated national consulting firm that specializes in Indigenous-led research, policy, and education grounded in Indigenous Knowledge Systems. The firm is dedicated to amplifyingIndigenous voices and emphasizes principles of self-determination, reciprocity, and respectful relationships in its research, education, training, and knowledge mobilization. Creative Fire focuses on Indigenous health, social, culture and economic development for Indigenous Peoples.

Mandate

To implement Creative Fire’s research vision, we prioritize Indigenous Knowledge Systems, the highest quality of Indigenous-led research, and respectful and responsible ethical research by adhering to OCAP Principles  (Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession). 

This mandate is rooted in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (2015) Calls to Action and the need to renew and strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities, including recognizing the value of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge Systems as well as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2008) 

Article 31

1. Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain, control, protect and develop their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions, as well as the manifestations of their sciences, technologies and cultures, including human and genetic resources, seeds, medicines, knowledge of the properties of fauna and flora, oral traditions, literatures, designs, sports and traditional games and visual and performing arts. They also have the right to maintain, control, protect and develop their intellectual property over such cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and traditional cultural expressions. 
2. In conjunction with Indigenous peoples, States shall take effective measures to recognize and protect the exercise of these rights.

The Guiding Principles and Core Values 

Indigenous research grounded within Indigenous knowledge systems (methodologies, epistemologies, and ontologies) is recognized as evidence-based data and approaches and meets national standards of scholarship, research, and education. Indigenous Knowledge is described as holistic and experiential-based, involving the heart, body, mind and spirit. Indigenous Knowledge is not something you can study and acquire through literature, but rather through the experience of listening, living, and learning, often through storytelling and engagement with the land. 

Recognizing the value of Indigenous Knowledge, Creative Fire employs the following principles to promote ethical engagement, community ownership, self-determination, informed consent, data governance and positive social impacts on Indigenous Peoples.

Research Leadership: Creative Fire champions and supports Indigenous research, social justice, economic development and Knowledge mobilization rooted in strong, respectful and equitable relationships with Indigenous groups and communities.

Reciprocity: Creative Fire ensures research is grounded in the best interest of communities and groups, and commits to a fair exchange of Knowledge.

Indigenous Research Services: Creative Fire offers practical resources and supports. We will:

• Provide tools and guidance to facilitate Indigenous research to support our partners in their research pursuits
• Provide education and training opportunities to strengthen and build engagement and research capacity 
• Seek and leverage opportunities to enhance Creative Fire’s research infrastructure, and develop an interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence
• Support the recruitment and retention of Indigenous researchers and Knowledge Sharers

Responsible Collaboration: Creative Fire promotes responsible collaborations across Canada with communities, government, organizations and business entities that ensure research has positive impacts.  Positive impacts can be

• Validating Indigenous Knowledge Systems
• Enhancing Community Safety
• Culture and Language Preservation and Revitalization
• Strength-based approaches and not deficient focused
• Indigenous Trauma-informed and culturally relevant
• Revitalization of Traditional Governance, Dodem structure and Self-determination
• Land health preservation and advocacy
• Revitalization of Traditional Roles and Family Dynamics
• Development of Best Practices 
• Promotes and activates Reconciliation into Action

OCAP: The First Nations principles of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (OCAP) assert that Indigenous Peoples have control over their data and information. 

Industry and engagement

Engagement is about more than understanding sentiment and communicating your messages. It is about listening and building an understanding of needs and concerns, developing respect and trust, identifying opportunities for partnership and participation, and finding ways forward that work for all stakeholders. This is what we help communities and organizations do.

For 20 years, we have helped build understanding and connections between organizations and communities across Canada. We have delivered engagement strategies, communications plans and creative solutions for global leaders, particularly in the mining and energy sectors. Our integration with the Des Nedhe Group, which includes companies in construction, logistics, transportation and more, adds an invaluable layer of real-life experience and knowledge to our strategic insights

CREATIVE FIRE AND OUR TEAM MEMBERS: