Staying Safe Together: How Indigenous Leaders Are Tackling Online Threats

Online scams are more common and more convincing than ever. From phishing emails and fake job offers to identity theft and fraudulent giveaways, these scams can impact anyone. 

But Indigenous communities are stepping up with powerful, community-led solutions to keep people safe. Across the country, Indigenous organizations are working hard to protect their people through education, awareness, and digital skill-building. 

Teqare is proud to support and learn from these efforts as we work alongside communities to build safer online spaces for everyone.

Why Online Scam Prevention Matters

Online scams aren’t just annoying, they’re harmful. They can lead to stolen money, damaged credit, lost time, and emotional stress. Some scams are designed to trick elders. 

Others target young people on social media. And some pretend to be government agencies, health services, or community leaders. The good news? 

When people know what to look for, they’re much harder to fool. That’s why education and awareness are the strongest tools we have to stop online scams before they start.

How Indigenous Organizations Are Taking Action

Many Indigenous organizations are leading the way in cyber education and scam prevention, offering programs that reflect community needs and values.

Here are some ways they’re making a difference:

Community Workshops

Local workshops teach people how to recognize scam emails, suspicious links, and fake online offers. These sessions are designed for everyone—youth, elders, and parents—and use real-life examples in clear, relatable language.

Mobile & Social Media Campaigns

Some organizations use Facebook, Instagram, or community radio to spread quick scam alerts. This helps keep the community informed in real-time, especially in remote areas where internet safety tools might be limited.

DiGital Safety Toolkits

Printable guides and online toolkits explain how to report scams, secure personal information, and avoid phishing attempts. These are often shared at community centers, schools, and through band councils.

Peer Education Programs

By training local youth and volunteers to become digital safety champions, these programs create ripple effects. The goal is to empower people within the community to share knowledge and protect each other.

What Makes These Programs Work

What sets these efforts apart is that they’re by the community, for the community. They focus on:

• Plain language and hands-on examples

• Cultural relevance, including respect for elders and group learning

• Safe learning spaces, where people feel comfortable asking questions

• Collaborative partnerships with schools, tech educators, and health organizations

These programs aren’t about fear—they’re about confidence and empowerment.

Teqare’s Role in Digital Scam Awareness

At Teqare, we support the work Indigenous organizations are already doing by:

• Creating digital safety materials that can be customized for community use

• Hosting online and in-person sessions on scam awareness and prevention

• Offering practical, real-life examples that reflect what people are seeing online

• Partnering with community leaders to build trust and relevance

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. We work with each group to understand their needs and deliver tools that work in their context.

Let’s Keep Communities Safe, Together

Online scams may be evolving, but so are our communities. By sharing knowledge, asking questions, and staying informed, we can stop scams before they start.

Contact Teqare today to bring digital safety tools and training to your organization or community.

Disclaimer: At Teqare, we share knowledge to help protect and empower our communities online. The information in this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as legal or financial advice. Always seek guidance from a trusted professional for your specific situation. We do our best to keep information current and relevant, but digital threats can evolve quickly. Stay alert, stay curious, and reach out if you need support—we’re here to help.

Photo by Anna Shvets