June 04, 2025 • 3 min read
Stronger partnerships: Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in action
“We need everyone on board with our goals, and we need to be proactive in creating opportunities with Indigenous communities.”
For over 30 years, Linette Tekonwakwenni Hodges, Indigenous Relations Manager, has been shaping stronger partnerships between industry and Indigenous communities across government, private enterprise and as a consultant to advance Indigenous Reconciliation in Canada.
Empowering Reconciliation
Linette joined Worley in 2020, supporting Indigenous engagement for a major project across Alberta and British Columbia. Four years on, she’s playing a crucial role in driving our Reconciliation initiatives and progressing our silver level accreditation with the Canadian Council of Indigenous Business which focuses on creating strong business relationships, employment opportunities and partnerships with Indigenous groups.
Linette brings a deep understanding of the challenges faced by Indigenous people in North America. A proud member of the Asiniwachi Niyaw Nation, she was raised by her grandparents in the warmth of Cree traditions and carries a strong connection to her Mohawk lineage through her great-great-grandmother, Tekonwakwenni.
Her family played an important role in guiding early explorers like Alexander Mackenzie and George Simpson through the Jasper House region during the fur trade era. These histories of cultural exchange and kinship continue to inspire her work today.
As Linette says, it’s a big and important responsibility to be the go-to person for Indigenous issues. But she draws strength from her community and her team’s eagerness to learn.
Finding the right balance
“Indigenous Reconciliation is not just an Indigenous issue; it’s a Canadian issue. It’s critical to our collective future.” says Linette. “The team at Worley understand what our customers need and want but we also understand that it’s important to do Indigenous engagement the right way.”
We’ve recently partnered with the #DoSomethingProject, funding their efforts over three years to promote Reconciliation and educate the public on the legacy of residential schools in Canada and globally. It’s a tangible way to help build awareness of the issues impacting Indigenous health and wellbeing, and an important step towards relationship-building through action. It's all about striking the balance between Indigenous community and business interests.
Building relationships that last
“We need to get out there and be proud of the work we’re doing. But it takes trust to build those relationships.” says Linette.
The more we listen, learn and collaborate with Indigenous communities, the better our workplace becomes. It also strengthens the support we provide to the next generation of Indigenous and non-Indigenous professionals, as they start their careers. As Linette puts it, “If you create a place people want to be, and believe in, then they’re going to want to work here. First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth and students will want to work here because we actually care.”
The communities we work with have positive impacts in many areas of business. Including Indigenous perspectives makes our projects more informed, more sustainable and more equitable.
Thinking long term
Linette says it’s the genuine willingness to learn, form partnerships and support communities that sets Worley apart. “We’re not just in this for the short term because we have a project,” she says. “The more Indigenous partnerships we have, the more we can show that we really do want to do better.”
In addition to our community outreach and business partnerships, we’re working with several universities and colleges to fund initiatives that encourage and retain Indigenous youth in STEM programs. Our focus on youth and education has created a number of opportunities for internships and employment with our company.
It will take time to establish the level of trust required to build strong relationships. The most important thing we can do? “Keep having conversations, keep talking.”
