Improving Networks, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

The Client
In June 2003 the Indian & Northern Affairs Canada Executive Committee established a working group process that included the Improving Networks group, in order to develop a new medium and long-term strategic vision for the department. A main component of the vision is increasing self-reliance in First Nation and Inuit communities. Collaboration and partnerships are seen as integral to achieving this vision. The study was commissioned by the Improving Networks Working Group to facilitate the development of advice on what role INAC should play in supporting networking strategies and what tools and approaches the Department might use to foster more effective collaboration.

The Challenge
To review and analyze a group of case studies chosen from across Canada that were undertaken to examine how improving relationships and networks amongst governments (federal/provincial/Aboriginal), the private sector and the NGO community can increase First Nation self reliance. The goal of the report was to highlight practical approaches, best practices and models to achieve and sustain effective and cooperative relationships and partnerships amongst a variety of stakeholders.

How KTA Helped
The key challenge of this project was to identify an appropriate yet limited number of case studies that would provide sufficient insight and knowledge to generalize about key barriers, lessons learned and best practices, and provide for a solid foundation for strategic advice. The selection of cases needed to reflect both national and regional diversity, and adequately captured the three basic categories of interest identified by the department. In response, KTA developed a systemic screening process to determine whether the cases identified would yield the type of analysis or the level of insight necessary to achieve the project’s goals. KTA then developed a qualitative, multi-stakeholder interview template that would serve to highlight barriers to collaboration and integration, identify important lessons learned and point out key success factors that should be considered in the Department’s development of policy, resourcing and change strategies.