Why MIHKO ISKWEW Exists
Many systems still define Indigenous progress through Western measures. That approach can overlook identity, culture, relationships, lived reality, and the priorities communities set for themselves.
MIHKO ISKWEW was created to strengthen what colonization disrupted by supporting people, programs, and services through Indigenous knowledge, practical skills, clear structures, and accountable action.
In the last three years, founder Shawneen Bird has delivered programming to 1,200+ participants, serving 20+ First Nation communities, their departments, companies, and regional partners, including 3 Tribal Councils. With many communities returning for ongoing support, the work is built on trust, relevance, and a deep understanding of the realities facing Indigenous people, programs, and service teams.
Our Mission
Our Vision
Culture at the Foundation
We use helpful contemporary tools within an Indigenous foundation of culture, identity, values, livelihood, relationships, and ways of knowing.
Trauma-informed facilitation, strengths-based language, evidence-informed change methods, practical tools, and structured follow-through make the work respectful and usable in real community and organizational settings.
Relational Sovereignty
At MIHKO ISKWEW, relational sovereignty recognizes that people grow through relationships with family, community, identity, land, culture, responsibility, and future generations. The work creates room for people and organizations to choose their direction on their own terms.
Who We Work With
Youth & Young Adults
Indigenous people ages 15 to 30 building identity, life skills, confidence, leadership, education, or workplace readiness.
First Nation Communities
Communities seeking culturally grounded workshops, programs, coaching, engagement, or systems support shaped around local realities and priorities.
Organizations & Administrations
Teams seeking training, facilitation, case-management development, strategic planning, program tools, and implementation support.
Indigenous Business Ventures
Businesses seeking stronger workforce practices, HR systems, role clarity, leadership, operations, and organizational follow-through.
Meet the Founder
Shawneen Bird
Tansi. I’m Shawneen Bird, nehiyâw Cree from George Gordon First Nation. I bring more than 20 years of experience in Indigenous workforce development, training, facilitation, and systems leadership.
My career has spanned front-line service delivery, program leadership, and governance support. I have worked along side students, case workers, technicians, advisors, managers, and decision-makers to strengthen workforce programs, operational systems, and accountability structures.
I turn big goals into workable practice. This includes designing and improving case management processes, developing training and facilitator resources, building service-delivery tools, strengthening reporting and compliance systems, and supporting teams through implementation. I translate complex requirements into clear tools that can be used consistently in day-to-day operations.
I bring a culturally based lens to leadership, learning, and systems work. I pay close attention to context, relationships, and what is realistic on the ground, so solutions are not only well designed, but sustainable and usable.
Serving Saskatchewan and Alberta
MIHKO ISKWEW works with Indigenous people, First Nations, organizations, administrations, workforce teams, and business ventures across Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Contact us with your location, audience, and preferred timing so we can confirm service availability and the right delivery format.