One of the most common questions I get as an Indigenous keynote speaker is:
“How can I be a better ally?”
“How do I support Indigenous people in a meaningful way?”
These questions come from a good place — from people who want to contribute to a more inclusive future but aren’t always sure where to begin. The truth is, allyship isn’t a title you claim — it’s something you practice. And today, I want to share four powerful ways you can become an Indigenous ally — not just in theory, but in action.
1. Build Awareness: Know the Stories That Built Today
Allyship starts with awareness. You’re already on the path just by reading this — by showing up, by caring. Awareness isn’t just about facts. It’s about opening your heart and mind to stories that may challenge what you’ve known.
I remember being a kid and visiting a non-Indigenous home for the first time — the food, the space, the atmosphere. It opened my mind to new possibilities I had never imagined. In the same way, when you learn about Indigenous history — not the textbook version, but the real, lived experiences — you begin to see the world differently.
The struggles you see today in our communities didn’t happen by accident. There’s a why behind every challenge — and that “why” often lives in painful histories we’ve been told to ignore. We can’t build a better future unless we understand the past. Awareness is the foundation.
2. Build Friendships: Tear Down the Wall Between Us
If there’s one thing I’ve seen time and time again, it’s this invisible wall — the discomfort some people still feel when encountering Indigenous people in public. They look away. Say nothing. Avoid eye contact.
But the solution to that wall? Friendship. Connection. Conversation.
When we know each other’s stories — when we take the time to truly listen — everything changes. Suddenly, it’s not “us and them.” It’s we. And when challenges come up, friendships allow us to face them with unity instead of fear.
If we want to break the cycle of racism and discrimination, we need to stop being strangers. That starts with a hello, a handshake, a conversation.
3. Support Indigenous Businesses and Celebrations
Want to make a real difference? Support Indigenous entrepreneurs, artists, events, and charities.
Go to a powwow. Visit an Indigenous business. Ask questions. Be curious — not in a performative way, but from a place of genuine interest and respect.
I’ve mentored hundreds of Indigenous business owners — many of whom struggled through the pandemic and came out stronger. They’re not just building businesses. They’re building community. When you support them, you’re doing more than just shopping — you’re investing in a brighter, more inclusive future.
4. Be Intentional About Your Legacy
Your legacy isn’t defined by what you own or achieve.
It’s defined by how you live. By what your children learn by watching you.
The way you treat others — the way you talk about people from different races — that’s the example your children will follow. So if you were raised with beliefs that divide or diminish others, you have a choice: carry those forward, or change the story for the next generation.
Our children can be the ones to build the bridges we never got to walk across — if we model allyship now.
Final Thoughts: This Work Is Ongoing
Becoming an Indigenous ally doesn’t happen overnight. It’s not a box you check. It’s a way of living — with awareness, intention, and compassion.
✔️ Start with awareness
✔️ Build real friendships
✔️ Support Indigenous businesses and events
✔️ Leave a legacy rooted in inclusion
You don’t need to have all the answers — you just need to care enough to keep learning. And together, we can create a world where future generations don’t just tolerate each other… they thrive together.
Let’s build that world — side by side.
hiy hiy
