Our Protocols & Ethics
In the work of Your syilx Sisters, they prioritize the protocols and practices of their syilx way of knowing and being when engaging in business.
Here are some important aspects to consider when collaborating with the sisters:
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Client Selection: The sisters have the autonomy to choose their clients based on alignment with their values. They assess the commitment level of potential clients through protocol meetings before signing contracts, ensuring a mutual understanding and avoiding tokenization. This approach reflects their dedication to informed consent.
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Deep Engagement: The sisters delve beyond surface-level work, collaborating with companies and organizations from the ground up. This entails engaging in challenging and complex conversations. They offer compassion and care to each client on their learning journey and only support those genuinely prepared to address harmful practices or narratives resulting from ignorance. Creating a safe space to unpack colonization is paramount, and the sisters ensure clients are ready and committed to this process, drawing from their cultural teachings.
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Training Requirement: Before commencing any other work, the sisters mandate clients to participate in their training. This ensures the safety, support, and high regard for Knowledge Keepers or Holders who may assist in the work.
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Referral and Support: If the client's business is not situated on syilx or Secwepemc homelands, the sisters will direct them to similar businesses in the area. They are also willing to provide additional support services if the client is already engaged with a service on the lands they serve or if they are in the process of seeking such services. This approach prioritizes communication services derived from the people of the lands, promoting data sovereignty.
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Storytelling and Data Sovereignty: When involved in storytelling collaborations with Indigenous Peoples outside their homelands, the sisters relinquish copyright ownership of all files related to the story's creation. This ensures that photography, audio recordings, video footage, and final stories belong to the respective Indigenous communities, honoring and upholding data sovereignty. The sisters delete all files once they have been delivered, recognizing that Indigenous data belongs to Indigenous Peoples.