Mission:
Swooping Hawk Consulting is driven by our mission to provide transformative Indigenous consulting services that empower individuals, organizations, and communities to bridge cultural divides, enhance Indigenous inclusion through awareness and empathy, and to promote transformative changemaking and authentic relationship building. Through our commitment to cultural awareness, collaboration, and innovative solutions, we strive to create meaningful impact and foster inclusive environments where every voice is heard and valued.
Vision:
Our vision is to be a trusted and respected leader in Indigenous consulting, guiding our clients towards a future where cultural understanding and greater Indigenous inclusion are embraced as essential components of success. We envision a world where Indigenous wisdom, worldviews, strategies, and collaborative partnerships converge to drive positive change, inspire growth, and foster resilient communities that thrive in harmony with the principles of the Kaswentha (Two Row Wampum as the core foundation to driving true transformation.
Values:
- Cultural Awareness
We are dedicated to honoring and preserving the rich traditions, diversity, and perspectives of Indigenous communities, promoting cultural awareness, sensitivity, and inclusivity in all our consulting services.
- Collaboration:
At the heart of our approach is a deep commitment to collaboration and partnership. By working closely with our clients, listening to their needs, and engaging in open communication, we co-create solutions that address challenges, leverage strengths, and drive sustainable growth.
- Innovation:
We embrace innovation as a catalyst for positive change, parallelling Indigenous and western worldviews and knowledge with customized methodologies to address complex issues and deliver impactful results that resonate across cultures and generations.
- Integrity:
We hold ourselves to the highest standards of integrity, ethics, and professionalism. By fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and trust, we build strong relationships with our clients and ensure that our actions align with our values.
- Indigenous Excellence:
Indigenous excellence is the cornerstone of our work. We are committed to delivering top-tier quality in every service we provide, leveraging our expertise, experiences, and passion to offer tailored solutions that meet the unique needs and goals of each client.
- Community Empowerment:
Our commitment to community empowerment drives us to support the growth, resilience, and self-determination of Indigenous communities. Through our consulting services, we aim to uplift and amplify Indigenous voices, strengths, and aspirations, facilitating positive change and sustainable development.
- Environmental Sustainability:
We recognize the interconnection between environmental stewardship and community well- being. By promoting sustainable practices, advocating for ecological balance, and championing mindful resource management, we aim to contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future for current and future generations.
- Social Responsibility:
Social responsibility is at the core of our values. We actively engage in and promote social justice, Indigenous self-determination and inclusion initiatives, advocating for inclusive policies, practices, and approaches that advance equality, empowerment, and meaningful participation for all members of society.
At Swooping Hawk Consulting, we are driven by a deep-rooted and authentic commitment to cultural respect, collaboration, innovation, integrity, Indigenous excellence, community empowerment, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility. These values guide our actions, shape our decisions, and inspire us to create positive change, foster inclusive environments, and build a better future for all. We offer over 20 years of experience and work with network and variety of skilled and experienced Indigenous and non-Indigenous consultants.
We Offer the Following Services:
- Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training
- General Facilitation Services
- Strategic and Operational Planning
- General Advising
- Tool and Work Plan Development
- Graphic Design and Communications
- Funding Development
- Policy and Advocacy Initiatives
Some Past/Current Clients:
- City of Toronto
- Surrey Place
- Cossette Media
– TDSB
- NaMeRes
– NCCT
- ANDPVA
- Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre
- Native Canadian centre of Toronto
- Native Women’s Resource Centre
- Native Women’s Centre Hamilton
– OAHAS
- 2-Spirited People of the First Nations
- Aboriginal Legal Services
- Native Child and Family Services
- Ronald McDonald House Charities
- 880 Cities
- Toronto Non-Profit Network
- Social Planning Toronto
- Toronto Foundation
- Toronto Neighborhood Centres
- Toronto Public Library
– BOANN
- Plus+ Company
- Draft FCB
- Our Children’s Medicine/Birch Hill Equity Group
– CBC
- York University
- George Brown College
- Centennial College
- University of Toronto – Munk Policy School
- Evangel Hall Mission
- Neighbourhood UU Congregation
- Scotia Bank
- TD Bank
- Information
Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
- OHTN
Principal Consultant:
Lindsay (Swooping Hawk) Kretschmer is Mohawk, Anishinaabe and German. She was born and raised in Toronto. Lindsay’s family and ancestral connections are to Six Nations of the Grand River Territory and Mississaugas of the Credit. Lindsay is a member of the Mississaugas of the Credit. She has worked in the non-profit sector for over 20 years.
Lindsay has served on boards and in senior management roles locally, provincially, and nationally within the non-profit and Indigenous social serving sector. Her education is in business and marketing, women’s studies, and ADR/mediation. Lindsay is dedicated to social justice and advocacy, which is inspired by her own journey of overcoming personal adversity.
Experiences, Skills, Gifts:
- Two+ Decades in the Non-Profit Sector
- Organizational Operations Management
- Marketing, Communications & Graphic Design
- Grant Writing and Funding Procurement
- Public Speaking and PR
- Change and Risk Management
- Policy and Procedure Development
- Municipal, Provincial and Federal Negotiations,
- HR Recruitment, Supervision and Coaching
- Fiscal Management ($40M Portfolio)
- Senior and Local Engagement & Relations
- Culture Based Programs Development
- Program Evaluation and Research
- Solid Political Acumen and Networks
- Community Capacity Building
- Strategic Planning & Governance
- Facilitation, Training Development and Delivery
- HR – Unionized & Non-Unionized Environments
She:Kon/Aanii!
My traditional name is Swooping Hawk, and I am Mohawk, Anishinaabe, and German. I was raised with Wolf clan responsibilities on my paternal side. My family comes from both Mississauga’s of the Credit First Nation and Six Nations of the Grand River Territory; I am a registered member of the Mississauga’s of the Credit. I have worked in the non-profit sector for over two decades with a specialty in advocacy and funding acquisition. I have excellent written and verbal communication skills and over 20 years public speaking experience both on community and corporate levels. I was the recipient of the YWCA’s 2003 Young Woman of Distinction Award and I have been featured in a variety of media, such as Breakfast Television, The Toronto Sun, Toronto Life, the Star and CBC Radio for my commitment to social change and advocacy.
I am a seasoned leader with excellent strategic planning, negotiating and interpersonal skills. I am innovative and have spent my entire career developing actionable solutions to sustainable change and social transformation. I have managed teams as large as 40 people, and I have been responsible for fiscal management of $40M in various budgets including a $4MM capital purchase and build asset acquisition. I am also skilled at cultivating and retaining stakeholder relationships and formal partnerships with both the public and private sectors. Lastly, I have experience in both spearheading and operationalizing short and long-range strategic planning activities and initiatives to drive growth, opportunity, and innovative change. My skills are wide ranging; though I am most gifted in my ability to navigate complex arenas which require someone authentically skilled to navigate and relate at both the boardroom table and that of the kitchen table. I understand the urban landscape and what the common experience is for many urban Indigenous folk in the city as I have experienced it firsthand. I am coachable and accountable and dedicated to the roles and responsibilities for which I have been entrusted.
Lastly, I carry the gift of grit of walking in two worlds with the ability to understand and actualize concepts of two- eyed-seeing. I offer a unique approach to viewing the work that comes from a balanced combination of both professional and personal experience, as well
as sincere passion for social transformation and community building. I have a great deal of experience managing large teams, budgets, and multiple projects. I have expertise in community engagement and funding development and in organizational development, operations, policy development, change and risk management, strategic planning and communications marketing and branding on local, provincial and national levels. I carry the teachings of truth, kindness and humility and I do not shy away from adversity as I am unwavering in my commitment to the work of advancing self-determination and restoration of our identities and original ways in a complex, contemporary colonial construct.
