Bold Leadership through an Indigenous Lens

Bold Networking - A Talk and Q&A Session with Alvin Chan

Michelle Bryant-Gravelle

Incorporating an Indigenous worldview in business is an important and timely topic that holds immense value for organizations seeking to foster right relations with Indigenous Peoples, enhance sustainability, and promote diversity, and innovation. This presentation aims to explore the significance of incorporating Indigenous perspectives and knowledge systems in business operations and the value it brings to the organization.

Key elements of Indigenous worldview in business are discussed, such as holistic decision-making, community-oriented approaches, respect for the land, and the value of Indigenous knowledge. Strategies for incorporating Indigenous worldview in business are then explored, including consultation and collaboration with Indigenous communities, supporting Indigenous employment and leadership, and incorporating Indigenous cultural practices.

Additionally, the presentation will briefly address challenges and concerns related to cultural sensitivity, knowledge gaps, and misappropriation, providing strategies to overcome these obstacles. It emphasizes the importance of ongoing learning, relationship-building, and accountability.

Overall, this presentation serves as a starting point for organizations to explore and integrate Indigenous perspectives and implement these into their day to day business practices.

Michelle Bryant-Gravelle

Michelle Bryant-Gravelle (she/her) is an experienced Indigenous business leader. She is the owner of Elevate and Empower Coaching and Consulting, where she provides leadership perspectives through an Indigenous lens, and supports her coaching clients to achieve personal and professional success. Michelle also works for the City of Vancouver as the Senior Director of Indigenous Relations. In this role, Michelle guides the implementation of the City’s commitment to government-to-government relations with the three host Nations, the Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation and Tsleil-Waututh Nation and works to advance the City’s evolving strategic direction around the Reconciliation Framework and the City’s UNDRIP Strategy.

Michelle has a demonstrated history of successfully bridging gaps between industry and Indigenous communities, helping businesses form right relations and uphold the value of reciprocity within the traditional territories they operate in. Michelle joined the City from her role as Corporate Affairs Manager at Ridley Terminals, in Prince Rupert, BC, where she had worked since 2011. She had previously worked as a teacher and vice principal for 10 years. MIchelle has over 30 years experience working with and for Indigenous communities.

Michelle has been on many Boards, including serving as the first Indigenous woman President of the Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce in their 110 year history. She’s currently the Vice President of the Women's Leadership Network and an elected Trustee for the Lax Kw'alaams Settlement Trust. Michelle is also a Director for Skilled Trades BC, a Director for the Indigenous Business Investment Council, and on the Committee for the Medal of Good Citizenship for the province.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degree from Vancouver Island University and a Master of Education in Multidisciplinary Leadership from the University of Northern British Columbia, a Diploma in Solution Focused Coaching, and a Certificate in Advanced Management.

Michelle is from the Ts'msyen Nation, from the Nine Allied Tribes of Lax Kw'alaams. She is from the Gitwilgyoots (People of the Kelp) Tribe and Gispudwada (Killer Whale) Clan. She shares with us that her traditional name is Bilha'am Nelx, which means "Pearl (inside of the abalone shell) on the fin of the killer whale". She was given this name by her late great-grandfather Sm'ooygit (Chief) La'as, William Jeffrey.

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