Exploring Indigenous Workplace Narratives

The interactions of North American Indigenous Peoples in the workplace setting at present remains relatively unexplored. Existing narratives of the lived experiences of Indigenous peoples in organizational contexts or workplace settings were reviewed to lay the conceptual foundations for an Indigenous work psychology. I scrupulously examined Indigenous narratives, details, sharing and storytelling, of firsthand experiences in various organizational settings. The format of materials gathered and examined include literature from multiple genres, books, articles, interview transcripts, documentaries, and radio broadcast interviews. Narratives were examined at various theoretical stratums, varying from overt oral expressions describing ones’ experiences, to ambiguous themes made clear only with extensive storytelling. The common themes found among the narratives include the importance of identity, oral communication, a sense of community and sharing, listening, respect and reciprocity, integrating spirituality and mentorship to foster transformations and resilience. This paper will aid in the understanding of Indigenous Peoples roles within the workplace as Canada confronts colonial hegemony and provide context on how Indigenous Peoples balance holistic well-being and work in a modern context; how Indigenous peoples interpret success and the scope of what defines ones’ work. Indigenous world views can shape organizations by strengthening relationships and identity within and encouraging inclusivity and creativity within organizational settings (Spiller & Wolfgramm, 2015).