Indigenous coaching

Indigenous coaching offers current and aspiring Indigenous leaders (including executives) a culturally safe approach to leadership development that may blend coaching with storytelling, teaching and mentoring. It emphasizes a holistic, trauma-informed method aligning with Indigenous employees’ needs and cultural practices.

On this page

• About the process
• Request Indigenous coaching

About the process

The Indigenous coaching service provides a safe, supportive environment and begins with an introductory call to confirm compatibility. Coaches remain connected with the program to ensure the service effectively meets the needs of Indigenous leaders while maintaining client confidentiality.

Indigenous coaches work with Indigenous leaders through regular coaching sessions over a 3 to 6 month period to set goals for optimizing their leadership development and support them in navigating unique challenges in their roles working in government.

Indigenous coaches:

• Deliver confidential one-on-one coaching over virtual or phone-based meetings using culturally appropriate approaches consistent with International Coaching Federation Core Competencies and Ethics, incorporating Indigenous teachings, healing methods, storytelling and mentorship to enhance leaders’ well-being, self-awareness and learnings
• Assess readiness and suitability for coaching and refer to other known supports where appropriate

Indigenous coaching supports leaders by:

• Providing a confidential and safe space to prepare for courageous conversations
• Assessing and understanding workplace challenges and individual leadership development needs then working to overcome and address them
• Identifying and achieving goals in alignment with own cultural practices, values and beliefs
• Challenging current limitations and unleashing potential
• Supporting leaders with internal reconciliation (remaining true to self within the system) and their decolonization efforts
• Navigating the complexities of government
• Cultivating an ally network and building trust-based relationships
• Retaining talent and accelerating leadership development
• Building leadership competencies and skills

Request Indigenous coaching

Indigenous executive leads, assistant deputy ministers, associate deputy ministers and deputy ministers can submit a request for coaching by email to ExecutiveTalentManagement@gov.bc.ca.

Non-executive level Indigenous leaders can submit an AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) service request and follow these steps:

• Select Myself > Career Development > Leadership Coaching Services
• Note this is a request for Indigenous coaching

This is a fee-for-service program, so employees must obtain supervisory approval for funding before submitting a request for coaching.

If you're a B.C. Government employee without an IDIR, call the BC Public Service Agency at 1-877-277-0772 (toll free) to submit your service request.