Developing an Indigenous peoples’ professional experience program in Guatemala

Country: Guatemala © Christina Laur, Global Affairs Canada

Indigenous peoples continue to face significant barriers to getting the skills required to work for Canada, as well as other donors and partners. This results in a deficit of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives in the international community and can prevent the ability to establish community trust in Indigenous territories.

In 2019, as part of the Indigenous Peoples’ Professional Experience Program (IPEP), the Canadian mission in Guatemala worked with Enma Pérez, an Indigenous Guatemalan professional who had recently received her university degree in international relations. With her support, the Canadian embassy was able to reach out to a broader representation of Indigenous leaders and organizations. She was also able to bring an Indigenous lens to project screening processes, event organization and communication messaging.

The IPEP represents a concrete commitment to bringing an Indigenous worldview into Canada’s work and supports the Government of Canada’s policy on diversity in the workplace.