As an organization and as individuals operating and working and being, within it, we have a responsibility to be honest about who we are and how we work. We have a responsibility to stay true to that in a context (the world) that constantly pressures us to be and behave a certain way. To uphold our values of accountability, transparency, of love and in relations always, we have created the first iteration of our guiding principles document.

We will use this to guide our work. It will be our compass, but one that may continually change as we learn, unlearn, grow and as we integrate new perspectives.

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Guiding Principles for Relational Practice and Organizational Integrity

Our Commitments

We are an organization rooted in relationships—human and more-than-human. Our work is guided by principles that honour reciprocity, humility, anti-oppression, anti-colonial and decolonial ways of being, land-based accountability, solidarity, and reconciliation. These are not abstract ideals; they are active responsibilities.

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1. Reciprocity & Relational Accountability

We believe in mutual exchange—not transactional service. Every relationship we enter is grounded in respect, consent, and shared responsibility. We ask:

• What are we giving back?
• How are we honouring the time, knowledge, and presence of others?
• Are we building relationships that endure beyond the project?
• Are we extracting? What are we giving? Sharing? Contributing?

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2. Humility & Lifelong Learning

We approach our work with humility, knowing that we are always learning. We commit to:

• Listening deeply before acting
• Acknowledging when we get it wrong
• Seeking guidance from those with lived experience and ancestral knowledge
• Committing to unlearning.

Humility is not weakness—it is strength.

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3. Anti-Oppression & Equity

We actively resist systems of oppression—colonialism, racism, ableism, heteropatriarchy, and all forms of marginalization/oppression. This means:

• Naming power and privilege
• Redistributing resources and decision-making
• Designing spaces where all voices are heard and valued.

We do not aim to be neutral. We aim to be just.

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4. Anti-Colonial & Decolonial Praxis

We reject colonial ways of operating that extract, dominate, and erase. Instead, we:

• Uplift Indigenous and systemically marginalized worldviews
• Honour Indigenous governance, protocols, and sovereignty
• Challenge colonial narratives in our language, structures, and partnerships

Decolonization is not metaphor—it is material, relational, and ongoing.

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5. Land-Based Relationality

We recognize the land as a living relative—not a resource. Our work is accountable to:

• The lands and waters we occupy
• The histories and futures of Indigenous Nations
• The ecosystems and all relatives and kin who sustain us. Not just of the human kind.

We ask: What does the land require of us in this moment? We learn what that means. We amplify the voices of indigenous relatives who hold this wisdom. We acknowledge Indigenous Sovereignty.

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6. Solidarity & Collective Care

We stand with communities—not above them. Solidarity means:

• Showing up consistently, not just when it’s convenient
• Sharing risks and responsibilities
• Practicing care that is reciprocal, not paternalistic

We are not saviours. We are co-strugglers and co-conspirators.

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7. Reconciliation & Truth-Telling

We commit to truth-telling about colonial violence, systemic harm, and our own complicity. Reconciliation is not a destination—it is a practice of:

• Redress and repair
• Honouring the Calls to Action and Indigenous-led processes
• Creating space for grief, healing, and transformation

We hold ourselves accountable to the truths that have been silenced.

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Living the Principles

These principles are not static. They must be revisited, reinterpreted, and renewed in community. We invite:

• Regular reflection circles with staff, partners, and community members
• Transparent decision-making grounded in these values
• Courageous conversations when we fall short

This document is a living commitment. It is how we remember who we are, and who we are accountable to.

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