Welcome to ICAST – Indigenous Cultural Awareness & Sensitivity Training

ICAST sessions were developed for non-Indigenous participants—individuals, business leaders, HR professionals, educators, public servants, and anyone looking to build cultural awareness and contribute to reconciliation in an informed and impactful way. Our Indigenous-led training programs have been developed by Indigenous facilitators with expertise in Indigenous education.

Our Approach

Our educational approach is built upon a dual-lensed framework, which fosters an in-depth understanding by incorporating both Western and Indigenous perspectives. This integrative methodology not only enhances the learning experience but also creates an ethical space where participants can thoughtfully navigate complex issues, fostering a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

We offer a diverse array of learning sessions, designed to meet the unique needs of individuals, businesses, religious organizations, and other groups. These sessions are carefully tailored to promote meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities, while also creating culturally safe environments that respect and honor Indigenous traditions and knowledge. Our expert facilitators work closely with participants, providing education on key historical events and Indigenous cultures, ensuring that individuals and organizations are equipped with the knowledge to engage respectfully and knowledgeably with Indigenous peoples and their rich heritage.

Land Acknowledgement

We work, live and breathe on the First Nations territories of Treaty 6, Treaty 7 and Treaty 8. These are the traditional lands of the Dene, Stoney Nakoda, Nakota Sioux, Cree, Blackfoot, Ojibwe, Saulteaux, Tsuut’ina, Métis and Inuit who not only lived and thrived on this land but kept and stewarded it … all forms of life come from this great gift given to us by the Creator.

What became known as the province of Alberta in 1905 is also home to the 8 Metis Settlements and the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta. Let’s also recognize that many Indigenous Peoples dwell in rural and urban centers across Turtle Island.

We thank all Indigenous peoples for sharing the richness of their heritage, the beauty of their languages, and the guidance of their elders yesterday, today and tomorrow.

With much gratitude, we recognize your protection and stewarding of this land from time immemorial.

ICAST dwells in Amiskwacîwâskahikan ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ “Beaver hills house” known as Edmonton.

Our services

  • Indigenous Cultural Awareness

  • Land Acknowledgement

  • Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC)

  • Cross Cultural Communication with Indigenous Peoples

  • KAIROS Blanket Exercise

  • The Church and Indigenous Peoples

Learn More

Get started with ICAST today.

Meaghan Ellis - Director, People Culture “Jamie Harmon is a wonderfully skilled facilitator who easily connects with audiences. We’ve had consistent positive feedback from staff and leaders when Jamie has presented to our organization, and her approachable demeanor puts attendees at ease allowing for a non-judgmental space to learn and grow. Even with working with very large audiences, Jamie is a highly effective and knowledgeable presenter.  I wholeheartedly recommend Jamie for Indigenous Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity Training facilitation.”

Karen Chinaleong-Brooks, MPH (she/her/elle) - Lead, Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging and Equity “ I have had the honour to work with Jamie Harmon of ICAST as a colleague and to learn from her formally and informally. My first interaction with Jamie was when she presented on Land Acknowledgments at the organization we worked at together. Until learning from Jamie the importance of tying my land acknowledgement to my own personal relationship to this land and my commitment to reconciliation I always feared I would do it wrong or would be judged for not pronouncing words correctly or missing an Indigenous group. She really empowered me to be humble and be grateful to the peoples on whose land I now live. Jamie’s nonjudgmental, open, and caring way of teaching about Indigenous ways and the experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada has truly been mind opening. As a settler to this land, there is always a tendency to be paralyzed by the guilt you feel, however, Jamie’s facilitation style allowed me to feel comfortable to ask curious questions that otherwise I would have been afraid to ask because of the fear they may have been inappropriate or may have caused further unintentional harm to Indigenous peoples. Jamie creates the safe space to ask questions and to be gently corrected, and in doing so she has helped me move beyond guilt to allyship. I know that I may still make mistakes but will remain forever humble and always willing to learn from and correct them. Jamie has influenced me so much that I have invited her to do several workshops with my present organization and my colleagues have been similarly impressed.”