Advancing Indigenous
self-determination,
community capacity and
well-being.

“It is the maintenance of balance that is the general life project.” – Heynahmeek Johnny Mack

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Advancing Indigenous
self-determination,
community capacity and
well-being.

“It is the maintenance of balance that is the general life project.” – Heynahmeek Johnny Mack

Play Video

Building on Indigenous Knowledge

Our work brings community- and university-based partners together to support decision-making and impact assessment informed by Indigenous knowledge and values.
 
Our partners include 8 Indigenous Nations/organizations and
24 university-based researchers across 5 universities and 13 research units.

~ Collaboration

~ Support

~ Systems

~ Training

What We Do

Collaboration

We are committed to supporting the goals and priorities of Indigenous Nations. We believe that solutions come from working together across disciplines and with Indigenous communities around the world. We co-develop adaptable, context-specific systems and tools and make them available to as many Indigenous Nations and organizations as possible. 

Our Work

Supporting
Self-Determination

The Balance Co-Lab’s Sustainability Assessment System (SAS) supports self-determination by integrating Indigenous values, knowledges, legal orders and indicators of cultural, community, environmental and economic well-being into an evaluation of community development opportunities and the assessment of cumulative impacts.

Indigenous partner organizations, scholars, trainees, Knowledge Keepers and community participants work together to identify community priorities and co-develop action plans for Project Teams to carry out the work.

See Sustainability Assessment

Collaborating for
Impact

Our partners include 8 Indigenous Nations/organizations and 24 university-based researchers across 5 universities and 13 research units in Canada, Colombia and Aotearoa (New Zealand).

Community Partners

Shared Purpose in
Our Work

Our transdisciplinary team includes researchers from University of Victoria, University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, and international partners in Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Colombia.

Meet the Team

Empowering

Self-Determination

  • angela polifroni

    Director of Operations, Toquaht Nation

  • Cloy-e-iis Judith Sayers

    President of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council & Chair, Balance Co-Lab Council of Senior Advisors

  • Dr. crystal tremblay

    Director, CIFAL Victoria, University of Victoria

  • walter schneider

    Chief Executive Officer, New Relationship Trust

  • angela polifroni

    Director of Operations, Toquaht Nation

  • Cloy-e-iis Judith Sayers

    President of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council & Chair, Balance Co-Lab Council of Senior Advisors

  • Dr. crystal tremblay

    Director, CIFAL Victoria, University of Victoria

Logo Artist

Tlehpik Hjalmer Wenstob was raised on Tzartus Island in Barkley Sound, off the west coast of Vancouver Island. It was there that his understanding and desire of pursuing both his traditional and contemporary art practices began. He is an interdisciplinary artist who specializes in sculpture and carving.
 
Hjalmer is from the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations on his father’s side, and Norwegian and English on his mother’s side. Recently, Hjalmer and his family opened Cedar House Gallery in Ucluelet, B.C.

Tell us more about your community and your needs

Provide as much detail as you can, and a Balance Co-Lab team member will contact you to find out more about how we can support your community’s goals.

Get in Touch