Walking Forward With Wisdom: Indigenous Leadership in Cyber Safety

Darion Ducharme
Apr 25
2 min read

In many Indigenous communities, Elders and leaders have long served as knowledge keepers—guiding generations with wisdom, values, and teachings rooted in tradition.

Today, that leadership is expanding into new territory: the digital world. With online threats growing and technology becoming part of daily life, Indigenous leaders are stepping forward to blend traditional knowledge with modern digital safety education.

At Teqare, we’re proud to support and partner with Indigenous leadership to deliver meaningful, community-led cybersecurity learning across Canada.

Why Indigenous Leadership Matters in Digital Safety

Digital spaces can feel unfamiliar or even unsafe—especially in communities where access to technology has grown quickly, but training hasn’t kept pace. Indigenous leadership ensures that education isn’t just accessible, but also respectful and relevant.

By including traditional perspectives, cultural values, and storytelling in the learning process, community leaders make cybersecurity more relatable and effective.

When youth, parents, and Elders see trusted figures leading the conversation, they’re more likely to engage, ask questions, and adopt safe online habits. That’s why Indigenous leadership is key to building long-term digital confidence.

Teqare’s Approach: Respecting Culture, Embracing Technology

Guided by Community Voices

Teqare doesn’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every workshop is shaped by conversations with local leaders, educators, and participants. This ensures that content is not only informative, but also speaks to real community experiences—whether it’s social media use, mobile safety, or concerns around data privacy.

Traditional Knowledge Meets Modern Tools

From talking circles to visual storytelling, we incorporate traditional ways of teaching into our sessions. This approach helps participants connect digital safety to values like respect, protection, and intergenerational knowledge. Just as communities protect oral histories and sacred knowledge, they are learning to protect digital identities and data in the same spirit.

Indigenous Leaders as Digital Mentors

In many workshops, Indigenous leaders act as co-facilitators or mentors. They not only bring deep cultural understanding but also inspire others to take digital safety seriously.

Their presence reinforces that technology can be embraced without losing connection to culture. As one Elder shared during a Teqare session: “It’s not about choosing between the old and the new—it’s about walking forward with both.”

Whether it's a Chief hosting a community tech talk or a youth leader helping peers spot phishing scams, Indigenous leadership is reshaping what it means to be safe and strong in a digital age.

A Path Forward—Together

The future of digital safety isn’t just about firewalls and passwords. It’s about relationships, communication, and shared responsibility. Indigenous leadership plays a vital role in that future by grounding technology in culture, identity, and community.

At Teqare, we’re honoured to walk alongside these leaders, offering support, tools, and workshops that strengthen communities across Canada.