The Top Three Pieces of Advice
Advice #1: Name Your Identity Early (To Separate the Good Employers from the Bad)
Most job advice tells you to hide anything that might cause discrimination. That advice assumes all employers are the same. They are not.
Here is the truth: A employer who will discriminate against you for being Indigenous is not an employer you want to work for. They will treat you poorly after you are hired too. Better to find out before you accept the job.
What to do instead:
Mention your identity somewhere in your cover letter or application. Not as a demand. Just as a fact.
Advice #2: Translate “Community Responsibility” into Workplace Language
Many Indigenous job seekers have gaps in their resume that non-Indigenous employers do not understand.
You took two weeks off for a funeral. You missed a month to support a family elder. You stepped away during harvest or hunting season. You attended a gathering that needed you.
None of this makes you unreliable. It makes you a person with deep roots. But you need to help employers understand that.
Advice #3: Turn Your Lived Experience into a “Resume of Strengths”
You have done more than you think. But you have probably never been taught how to translate your life into job language.
Think outside the “formal job” box. Many Indigenous youth have deep experience in areas that look nothing like a traditional resume—but absolutely count as proof of employability.
Here is how to reframe your lived experience:
| What You Have Done | How to Say It on a Resume |
|---|---|
| Helped raise younger siblings or cousins | “Provided daily supervision, conflict resolution, and basic care for dependents. Demonstrated patience and reliability over multiple years.” |
| Organized or helped at a community feast, powwow, or gathering | “Assisted in coordinating logistics for an event serving [number] people. Worked as part of a team under pressure to meet deadlines.” |
| Translated for elders or family members (language or cultural interpretation) | “Facilitated communication between community members and service providers. Ensured clarity and respect in sensitive situations.” |
| Managed a tight household budget or helped family with finances | “Tracked expenses, prioritized needs, and managed limited resources responsibly.” |
| Travelled long distances for family, sports, or cultural events | “Coordinated transportation and scheduling across multiple locations. Demonstrated punctuality and planning.” |
A Final Word From IndigenousCanada.org
You belong in the workplace. Not despite your identity. Because of it.
The employers worth working for know that Indigenous employees bring:
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Deep problem-solving skills from navigating complex systems
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Strong community orientation (which makes excellent teammates)
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Resilience and patience (which makes excellent customer service)
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Cultural perspectives that make workplaces smarter and more inclusive