Step 2 of 7
Coming
Prepare for the work before it comes.
As your community begins to grow in capacity and process, you will attract new businesses and be awarded more work. In this step, your community learns what is coming into its territory, records it, and gets ready to meet it.
Who should be involved
Your planning group, plus anyone already talking with companies in your territory: EDC and lands staff, and leadership.
What you’ll need
Your territory map and territory audit from Step 1, a different colour of dots or sticky notes, and the Step 2 worksheets.
You’ll finish with
An opportunity tracker tied to your territory map, and a plan to connect with the people leading each project.
01 · LEARN
What is coming your way?
Have you heard of any news about new projects coming your way or through your territory? Perhaps a new road, power line, utility or mining company? Knowing what is coming, and where, lets your community prepare instead of being surprised.
New projects
Roads, power lines, utilities, mines and other work planned in or through your territory.
Companies already here
The businesses from your Step 1 audit may be planning more projects, or know of others that want to start.
Government work
New provincial or federal work packages dedicated to Indigenous people and Indigenous businesses.
Direct awards
As your capacity grows, governments may award work to your community directly. Be ready to deliver it.
Why look ahead?
- Governments are making commitments to Indigenous people. In British Columbia, the province promised a higher share of forestry to Indigenous people, and the federal government has committed to 5% of its procurement going to Indigenous businesses.
- Indigenous people need to prepare for this work before it comes.
- When you learn of a project early, you can approach the company with a plan instead of reacting to theirs.
- The more confident you are in your approach, the less push-back you will receive.
Build on Step 1
Step 2 uses the same territory map and the same relationships you started in Step 1. The companies you found in your territory audit are often the first to know what is coming next.
Before you begin: bring forward from Step 1
Have these ready. Step 2 adds to them rather than starting over.
- Your territory map. Keep it posted where your group can see it and add to it.
- Your territory audit. The list of who is operating in your territory and who to approach first.
- Your answers to “Be ready before you reach out.” Do we know what we want? What does our community need? Do we have a process for engagement and consultation?
02 · GATHER
Four community activities
Activities A and B can run at the same time with different people. Bring what you learn together for C and D.
ACTIVITY A
Ask the companies you know
- Start with the businesses from your Step 1 territory audit, beginning with those you already have a relationship with.
- Ask whether they are planning more projects in your territory.
- Ask whether they know of other businesses that want to start projects.
- Note who told you, and when.
Worksheet 2A · Opportunity tracker
ACTIVITY B
Watch for news and government work
- Watch the news for new roads, power lines, utilities, mines and other projects coming your way.
- Find out whether the provincial or federal government has announced new work packages dedicated to Indigenous people.
- Ask your leadership what they are hearing.
- Add each item to your tracker, even if the details are still unclear.
Worksheet 2A · Opportunity tracker
ACTIVITY C
Map and record each project
As you learn of new projects coming into your territory, mark where they are going on your territory map. Then record each one:
- Date of the project
- Name of the company
- Name, email and phone number of the contact person or people
- Where in the territory the project will touch
- Potential benefits to your community
- Others higher up, such as government leaders, you should contact as well
- Any other information that may be helpful
Worksheet 2A · Opportunity tracker
ACTIVITY D
Prepare to connect
Once you have the information you need, plan to connect with the lead person or people for each project.
- Decide who from your community will make each connection.
- Gather what you have learned about the project.
- Bring your plan for engagement and consultation.
- Agree on what your community wants from the relationship before the first meeting.
Worksheet 2B · Connection plan
03 · DECIDE
Questions to answer together
- Which projects coming into our territory matter most to us, and why?
- Where on our territory will each project touch, and what does that mean for our land?
- What benefits could each project bring: jobs, training, contracts or partnerships?
- Which government work could we prepare for now, before it comes?
- Who will connect with each project lead, and who else should we contact?
Come armed with information
When you connect with a project lead, bring:
- What you have learned about the project
- Where it touches your territory
- Your plan for engagement and consultation
- What your community wants and needs
Look beyond the company
Some projects need conversations higher up as well. Note the government leaders and others you should contact, and plan those conversations alongside your connection with the company.
04 · RECORD
Your Step 2 workbook
Capture what is coming in the Step 2 workbook. It becomes the second chapter of your community’s plan and feeds directly into Step 3.
- 2AOpportunity tracker
- 2BConnection plan
Would it be helpful to work with someone?
ICDPRO’s team can help your community track what is coming and prepare your approach to each project.