By Shani Gwin
A community needs structure to operate effectively – I don’t think this is news to anyone. When you think of a community structure – how do you view it? What are the elements, how do people work together and is there someone in charge?
If you were to shift your mind to thinking how a business is structured, how does it change from the community structure? Is it the same or is it different?
It took us about three years at pipikwan pêhtâkwan to design our organizational chart and structure, and we are still fine tuning our operating procedures for our team. pipikwan pêhtâkwan’s organizational structure is based on balance and reciprocity. We are all connected and we are all in relationship (wâhkôhtowin). As much as possible, we have tried to structure pipikwan pêhtâkwan like a community. I know as the Founder and CEO, there is still hierarchy in operating a business – in the end, I am on the line financially for the company and so much of myself has been poured into this organization for the last 8.5 years. There are decisions I have to make, but those decisions are rarely made without the input of our leadership circle or the broader team. We lead the company together as much as possible and we work hard to support each other as best we can.
pipikwan pêhtâkwan is a flat organization and we strive to sit in circle as often as possible. There is not one person on the team who has a more important role or perspective than another – we are colleagues with equal voices in the development of our organization and our projects. We are a collective community.
Organizational charts are typically colonial in structure. Power and agency usually flow from the top down and are rigid. We worked to develop a way of working together that incorporates our values and revitalizes Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Women and gender fluid folks are in their rightful places as leaders, alongside men, and we also act as nurturers for our team and clients.
What does the flower mean?
A flower produces seeds to sustain future growth. At pipikwan pêhtâkwan, our vision is to see Indigenous communities sharing their truths and stories as equals. As part of that vision, we focus on investing in our People to build capacity in our communities. Regardless of how long an employee stays with our team, this approach uplifts and benefits Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island (North America) by building skills and knowledge that can carry our values into other communities, sectors, and work. Our team, like the seeds of the flower, disperse their knowledge and gifts and sustain the future growth of our staff and clients.
In our organizational chart, each petal represents a service and team. Those petals attract our clients and partners to join us. In nature, a flower’s petal also serves as protection – and much like the petals of a flower, our teams are protective of our culture, our work and each other.
The petals do not close at the centre in our design, each department feeds into the next in an effort for our teams to maintain connection and not work in isolation. Both our Wellness Elder and Founder are at the centre and touch all of our projects, services, and people. Their roles are to sustain the growth of current and future staff. After all, pipikwan pêhtâkwan began as one seed and through a lot of love, care and sheer stubbornness we have bloomed into something much more beautiful. When I think of the future seven generations – I see a field filled with flowers.
Why a flower?
A prairie rose is an important symbol for Métis women. The flower and other floral patterns were used so often, the Métis became known as the flower beadwork people. These designs were used to secretly continue Indigenous teachings by relying on colours and symbolism while Settlers believed it was a sign our People were conforming to their idea of a civilized people. Métis women used art and creative energy as an act of resistance to ensure future generations would thrive.
Our Peoples are tenacious, beautiful, and strong just like the five-petaled prairie rose. We continue to flourish and remain authentic to our true selves while changing the systems placed before us.
