Wisdom in Action: Key Takeaways from the I3 Innovator Gathering in Whistler
I3 staff and Innovators at the September 10-22, 2025 Gathering in Whistler, BC.
This September, the Indigenous Innovation Initiative (I3) brought together innovators, partners, board of directors, staff, and funders for two powerful days in Whistler, British Colombia. From September 10–11, 2025, the I3 Innovator Gathering created space to share stories, exchange knowledge, build community, and reflect on the future of Indigenous innovation.
Held inside the Long House of the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, the Gathering was rooted in culture and community. Surrounded by Indigenous art, culture, and history, the space itself helped build trust and safety, encouraging all participants to share openly.
Guided by ceremony, storytelling, and collaboration, innovators and partners came together to celebrate successes confront challenges, and look toward the future of the I3 program.
Ceremony
Each day opened in ceremony led by elders from coast to coast to coast, which allowed us to unite our intentions as a group and honour tradition. When we gather as an organization and with our relations, it is important for us to always begin in ceremony as a grounding practice and an acknowledgement that innovation is inseparable from culture.
On the first day, Inuit Elder Bernice Clarke from Iqaluit shared stories of her ancestors and her grandmother, who taught her how to tend the qulliq (a traditional Inuit oil lamp). The qulliq represents the strength, love, and care of Inuit women. The flame of the qulliq became a metaphor for the heart and strength that innovators bring to their work.
Elder Tony Solomon opened the second day by leading participants in smudging. Smudging is a practice common to many Nations, which uses the smoke of sacred medicines like sage to cleanse and invite positive energy. This special shared moment prepared participants to enter the day with focus and a sense of open-mindedness.
Closing the Gathering, we sat in circle by the firepit guided by Elder Linda Williams of Squamish Nation. Elder Linda sang for us, and gave innovators the space to reflect, and conclude their time with I3 in a good way.
The Importance of Introductions
The Gathering opened with introductions from every attendee. Innovators shared the journeys of their projects from idea to implementation, to the impacts they’re seeing in their communities. Others reflected on what brought them into the Indigenous innovation space and how the successes of innovators have inspired their own work.
It was a very emotionally moving experience. Many participants shared personal histories, hopes for the future, and the challenges they’ve overcome. These introductions set the tone for the Gathering as a space of reflection. They also gave participants the chance to connect across domains, building relationships that extend beyond individual projects and into the collective work of I3.
Innovators Leading the Way
A highlight of the Gathering was a roundtable led by Patrice Mousseau of Satya Organic, where innovators spoke candidly about the realities of building and scaling their projects with I3. It was the very first time that these innovators had met each other in person, and the energy in the room was electric.
The roundtable focused on practical challenges about funding, scaling, and grant-writing at first. Patrice encouraged peer-to-peer problem-solving: “Who else here is having this problem right now?” Patrice would say, and a handful of innovators raised their hands. “And who here has experienced this before?” More hands rose. Groups formed between innovators naturally as innovators exchanged strategies, lessons learned, and words of encouragement.
The peer-led approach to problem-solving demonstrated the power of community knowledge. Innovators were allowed to openly discuss their challenges and build networks of support that will extend beyond the Gathering. Strengthening these relationships is essential to future impact, as sustainable innovation relies on collective wisdom.
Learning Together Through COYA’s Teachings
As part of I3’s relationship with WaGE, an evaluation is being conducted to help us grow guided by our evaluation partner, COYA Productions, through ceremony and workshops designed for reflection. COYA led us in a collaborative process of validating findings from their evaluation of the I3 program, which ensured that innovators themselves shaped the meaning of their results.
The findings highlighted how I3 has supported innovators to scale their visions, strengthen their communities, and sustain Indigenous knowledge. Importantly, COYA’s “Rooted and Strengths and Action Analysis” approach offers teachings that are reciprocal instead of extractive, and centre community wisdom rather than simply measuring outputs.
Over shared tea and stories, innovators celebrated growth not only of their projects but of I3 itself. Listening to innovators is the way forward, as their stories will continue to shape how I3 grows as an organization and how future innovators are supported.
Looking Ahead
As the Gathering closed, our attention turned to the future of Indigenous innovation. Conversations centered on what comes next for I3, with strong agreement that collaboration across partners, funders, and communities remains essential.
We leave Whistler with gratitude, new ideas, strengthened relationships, and renewed momentum. Above all, we carry forward the teaching that innovation flourishes when rooted in culture, guided by community, and shared in circle.
Thank you to every innovator, partner, and funder who brought openness, curiosity, and generosity into this Gathering. The path forward for Indigenous innovation is stronger because of you.