As of today, there are 574 federally recognized Indigenous cultures living within the US, and each has its own distinct traits. Understanding the history of these cultures is crucial because many of them can be seen in everyday life, so it is important to have an appreciation for their history to foster respect. People from Indigenous cultures may hold different beliefs than you or your colleagues, but it is critical that both parties work together to improve professional collaboration. It is necessary for managers to guarantee that all employees work in a safe environment in which they may freely express themselves.

For generations, Indigenous societies have employed storytelling to acquire their people’s trust and demonstrate their values. It’s critical to comprehend how these teachings were presented and explored, as well as how their audiences reacted to them. All communities, even ones today, can adopt some of these traditions and incorporate them into their daily life. Indigenous peoples’ views and beliefs may appear to be different from other cultures today, yet as we dig further into knowledge, we discover many similarities–often more than differences. Life was very different before the Indigenous people’s lands were colonized, and individuals who are not from Indigenous cultures must comprehend and be aware of the struggles they have faced. Many of these cultures have been affected by the upheaval of their lands, and many more have experienced other hardships.

Taking Indigenous Culture Training is a fantastic method to learn about the expansive Indigenous civilizations, especially when doing a course based on firsthand accounts and information provided by Indigenous culture members. Cultural training can also teach you about the many cultures that are still practiced in America and abroad (check out this Canadian Indigenous Culture Training Course produced in collaboration with Indigenous peoples), as well as how colonization impacted them and what life was like for these communities before. Understanding and relating to diverse people’s cultures nurtures workplace inclusiveness and can give you or your employees a new perspective on how to relate to workers from these long-established cultures. It is never safe to presume that someone is or is not a member of an Indigenous culture. It should be discussed with the person on an individual basis if they are willing. Doing so will generate understanding and appreciation for yourself and others.

Completing courses to learn about Indigenous cultures will also help you understand what terminology is appropriate for Indigenous people, as well as what terms may be inappropriate, and how to avoid workplace misunderstandings or miscommunications. People from Indigenous cultures can also benefit from this training to help them overcome their own biases and gain new perspectives on their own cultural identity or culture’s practices.

There may be myths about old Indigenous civilizations that we hear in society, yet those myths may not fully reflect the culture’s truths and may be offensive to Indigenous peoples. When coworkers lack training or background understanding of the culture’s norms, stereotypes may be formed, affecting the inclusivity of a workspace. Being able to study Indigenous cultures and its people, enables today’s workers to gain an understanding of the inner workings of these cultures and how to collaborate effectively. Understanding these cultures in and outside of the workplace provides a great benefit for all workers and increases effective communication as well as limiting barriers or confusion when collaborating on common goals, growing an office culture of its own.