Indigenous Relations

In our work across many geographies, we aim to engage with Indigenous Peoples in a respectful and mutually beneficial manner. We use a region-specific approach, because we know that each Indigenous community is unique, with its own different experience, history, cultures, customs, traditions, governance and social structures.

Indigenous Peoples share an interest in making decisions that bring sustainable benefits, both now and in the future. At WSP, we too believe in that vision.

We are proud to take steps to champion and promote positive change for Indigenous Peoples and for a more inclusive society – one that delivers positive social impacts. By engaging early and developing long-lasting, and mutually beneficial relationships, we provide opportunities though employment, procurement, education and positive changes.

In Australia, our efforts are underpinned by four pillars – relationships, respect, opportunities and focus. We are the only engineering firm to have achieved STRETCH status in our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) with Reconciliation Australia.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, our relationships and knowledge of Te Ao Māori drivers allow us to build mana-enhancing partnerships — a minimally-evasive relational approach that allows us to tread lightly in our work practices. To this end, we are focused on developing working relationships with knowledge holders and leaders that increase the strength and success of all parties involved.

In Canada, WSP’s Indigenous Relations Policy remains the foundation of our engagement with Indigenous communities, groups and businesses. This policy takes a progressive approach to involvement and consultation while actively seeking opportunities to create and optimize socio-economic benefits for Indigenous Peoples. A good example is our commitment to Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR).

In Canada, we continue to enhance our capacity to recruit, train and retain Indigenous employees as part of our ongoing Indigenous employment initiative. We are also proud to take part in Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures program, designed to create a new series of educational awards to further pathways and possibilities for Indigenous youth.

In Australia, our work on Woolgoolga to Ballina, a project that was named global project management of the year in 2021 by the International Roads Federation, has paved the way for Indigenous employment. We achieved higher-than-promised Aboriginal employment rates, with 300 people employed at the project peak and 1 million hours worked. Additionally, we have played a key role on the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) which has won multiple awards, including the prestigious 2021 AILA* Victorian Chapter Award of Excellence for Research, Policy and Communications for the LXRP Indigenous Design Guidelines.

In New Zealand, WSP sponsors the Papa Pounamu Whakatutukitanga scholarship, which fosters the participation of rangatahi (youngsters) within the planning profession. The goal is to integrate Māori cultural values in the planning process throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. We also aim to boost the ranks of Māori professional planners.

Our Indigenous Specialist Services team in Australia offers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander design input on major projects. Services provided include research and cultural protocols, ethical guidance, project-specific reconciliation action plans, community consultation and stakeholder engagement. It is a pathway our clients are increasingly using to connect Country to Infrastructure projects such as our work on the Sydney Harbour Bridge cycleway, the Nielsen Park Master Plan, Perth’s Causeway pedestrian and cyclist bridge, the University of NSW Alumni Park and our work with the Commonwealth Department of Health in the NT to Close the Gap.

In New Zealand, WSP’s Māori Business Service aims to provide for a future that is inclusive and centred on Aotearoa New Zealand. Our relationships and knowledge of Te Ao Māori drivers allow us to guide our clients towards future-ready thinking.

In Canada, WSP’s commitment to reconciliation includes the establishment of an applied services discipline that can support Indigenous communities, groups, and businesses, as well as providing support to clients looking to work with Indigenous communities, groups and businesses.  Visit our Indigenous Specialst Services to learn more.