Our engagements identified several potential frameworks and practices based traditions to recognize skilled and trained traditional practitioners today without replicating a settler professional certification framework.

• Community Recognition and Endorsement: Before Treaty, a practitioner's authority stemmed from the absolute support of the community. Recognition was a process witnessed by community members and respected gusts, often during ceremonies, where individuals were entrusted with specific teachings or rights. Today, this could be revitalized through formal and informal community processes where Elders and knowledge keepers publicly acknowledge individuals who have demonstrated the necessary training, knowledge, integrity, and adherence to traditional protocols. This recognition could take place within community gatherings or ceremonies, mirroring traditional practices.
• Recognition of Traditional Knowledge in non-Indigenous Settings: We must work to create relationships and processes with leaders in Indigenous and non-Indigenous settings to recognize traditional knowledge keepers as first-class professionals alongside settler disciplines. We must also work to recognize traditional Indigenous science and knowledge discovery as first class research and knowledge alongside settler research systems.
• Central Role of Elders Councils and Knowledge Keepers: Like our communities, we are re-establishing an Elders Council of experienced and knowledgeable Elders in traditional medicine, healing, language, and ceremony. Their role is to identify, mentor, and formally recognize individuals who have undergone appropriate training and demonstrated competence in specific areas of traditional knowledge and practice. As keepers of bundles, pipes, knowledge and  ceremonies, they possess the wisdom and understanding of traditional ways to discern authentic practitioners.
• Ceremonial Validation and Witnessing: Witnessing is a fundamental aspect of Indigenous traditions, where honored and respected guests validate and provide legitimacy to significant events, including passing knowledge, responsibility and authority. Ceremony is how we will formally recognize traditional practitioners and accomplished learners, and strengthen mutual accountability. Sacred ceremonies and their connection to the Creator underscore the gravity of such recognition.
• Apprenticeship and Mentorship: Knowledge and skills are traditionally passed down through oral teachings and careful practice with knowledge keepers and skilled practitioners. Elders and skilled practitioners will ensure learners receive proper training take responsibility for what they learn. Recognition of cultural helpers who train with Traditional Knowledge Keepers acknowledges this process.
• Respecting Community-Specific Protocols: As teachers and protectors of knowledge from several First Nations, we will respect the distinct protocols of the peoples we work with. We will ground our work in the cultural values and traditional governance systems of the peoples we serve, rather than external standards.
• Utilizing Technology Respectfully: We acknowledge that technology has not been used to the advantage of Indigenous peoples. We have explored ways to carefully adopt new technologies under the direction and control of Elders and the community, empowering recognized practitioners and their areas of expertise to expand their work, with appropriate safeguards to prevent misuse.

This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada.