Anne Harding

Owner, Forum Community Relations

Oki. Niistoo niitaanikoo kiiptakii kakatosi. Tansi. Kisikaw achakos iskwew nisihkason. 

Hello! My name is Anne Harding and I’m a Settler who was born and raised at Mohkinstis in Treaty 7 territory. I’ve had the distinct privilege of spending the last 20+ years learning from, working with, and advocating alongside Indigenous Peoples across Canada. As a self-described “white lady working in Indigenous relations", I want to tell you a bit about how I got to be doing this work and what drives me. 

In my early 20’s, I had the opportunity to do some volunteer work with Indigenous youth from Siksika, Tsuut’ina, and urban high schools here in Calgary. I worked with these five amazing young people for a year and a half and learned so much from them about my country, my city, my neighbours, and myself.

That experience sparked a passion in me to use my privilege and influence to support the interests and experiences of Indigenous peoples and the Indigeneity of our country. As I entered the workforce with this newfound awareness about our history, I was struck by how many people made assumptions without getting to know, formed opinions without awareness, and made decisions based solely on their own limited experiences.

I found it particularly challenging when decisions were made that affected people and little to no attempt was made to get the input of those people. Along my career path, I was fortunate enough to be introduced to the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2), which provided me with an opportunity to connect with others working with Indigenous people and communities.

I left a major oil and gas company to take a limited term contract position that would help me get into Indigenous relations. I was asked by one of the leaders of the company I was leaving why I wanted to pursue this field. I said, “I love to teach, but I don’t want to be a teacher; I love to learn, but I don’t want to be an academic; I love politics, but I don’t want to be a politician; I love the law, but I don’t want to be a lawyer. I’m passionate about the future of our country, and this is a place where I feel I can contribute and make a real difference in the world.” 

My journey of learning, teaching, and navigating complexities took me down a path of amazing experiences, including a Masters in Corporate-Aboriginal Relations, studying ways that Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups can better partner, and what leads to more effective partnerships when both parties want to work together. It’s also led to a depth of connection and sense of purpose for which I will be forever grateful. 

I feel fortunate to have been invited into many Indigenous-led spaces, communities, experiences and relationships. Through my work with the Indigenous Gathering Place Society, I got to know Elder Miiksika’am from Siksika, who gave me the spirit name of Grandmother Star - kiipitaki kakatosii. He shared that this name means that I am a person who is connected spiritually and can work with the power of the ancestors and the stars to do good work here on earth in this world.

Through my work with EPCOR in Edmonton, navigating the meaningful engagement of 32 Indigenous Nations and communities, I connected with Elder Bert Bull from Louis Bull Tribe and was invited to receive a Cree name in Ceremony of kisikaw achakos iskwew - Day Star Woman - to remind me that while I may be connected to the Sky Beings, there’s plenty of work to do here on earth and I have the strength and power (like the sun) to take that on.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to do good work in a Good Way. I am highly aware that it would not be possible for me to do the work that I do in a respectful, authentic, and helpful way without my relations in Indigenous communities. That’s why the many Indigenous professionals I work with are featured, each with their own page on this site. They are a part of my community and I couldn’t do the work I do without their trust, guidance, and collaboration. Please check them out and reach out to them directly to connect.

I am passionate about building bridges. I know from the bottom of my heart, the change that our country needs and that our society needs will come from reclaiming the Indigeneity of our nation and restoring its connections to Land and People. I see my role as helping to bridge communities, systems, ways of knowing, being, and doing to move us toward a more evolved and equitable society. 

I feel blessed every day to be able to contribute and support individuals and organizations who want to understand what reconciliation means to them. 

If you’re someone who’s looking to explore that for yourself or your organization, let’s talk.

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