National Volunteer Week: How We Connect Communities
Volunteering in First Nations communities, when done the right way, is not about giving, it’s about connection and genuine relationships.
At Community First Development, we don’t just introduce volunteers to communities.
We connect First Nations communities to opportunities, networks, and expertise that may not have been accessible before.
And at the centre of it all? Human connections and building relationships.
This National Volunteer Week, we'd like to talk about the transformative power of relationships in community-led development.
After working with hundreds of volunteers and First Nations communities, we discovered that most volunteers show up ready to give - but the ones who make the biggest impact show up ready to connect and build relationships.
Real change doesn’t come from doing more - it comes from connecting better.
Successful volunteers:
Build trust first, then focus on how to support community-led projects.
Ask “What can I learn?” before “How can I support?”
Are ready to listen and yarn with community members.
Respect the stories, cultures and lived experiences of the community.
Stay long enough to build real connections.
They know that it’s not about doing more, it’s about connecting on a deeper level.
This is a mindset that highlights the most important lessons we’ve learned working alongside First Nations communities.
As our volunteer coordinator Ellen said, “Preparing volunteers to work respectfully alongside our community partners is essential to the success of the projects we support.”
And the result?
Lasting partnerships, sometimes even friendships.
Volunteers who return changed with new perspectives and stories to tell.
Communities feel seen, heard, and respected.
Because when people connect, when volunteers collaborate with communities - not as experts, but as humans - that’s when transformation begins.
The role of self-determination
Our unique approach to community development is grounded in self-determination. Communities are in charge. Volunteers don’t fix or direct. They walk alongside.
As Ellen shared, “I had always admired Community First Development’s commitment to ‘walking the walk’ when it came to supporting self-determining communities.”
That’s why we invest so much in onboarding. As Ellen explained:
“Our volunteer induction and screening program is designed to ensure our volunteers are qualified, eligible and prepared to work respectfully alongside community. We put in the effort to make sure we have the right people for community.”
When self-determination is honoured:
Communities thrive on their own terms.
Projects and programs are more sustainable.
Volunteers leave with new learnings, more grounded, more aware and more connected.
Knowledge sharing works because there’s trust. And trust grows because there’s respect.
It’s not just about the CV, it’s about mindset
Our volunteers are highly skilled professionals: educators, lawyers, health workers, planners, builders, governance experts. But what makes them invaluable isn’t just what’s on paper - it’s how they show up.
It’s their willingness to build genuine relationships, to learn from community knowledge, and to let go of assumptions. Because it’s not just what they do - it’s how they do it that makes the difference.
They understand:
Knowledge-sharing only works when there’s trust.
Trust only grows where there’s respect.
And real impact isn’t about what they do - it’s about how they do it.
Volunteering with First Nations communities isn’t about charity. It’s about solidarity.
But the most meaningful change? It’s not built on doing more. It’s built on connecting better.
The next time you think about volunteering to “give back”, ask yourself, “Am I here to fix or to connect?”
Hear from two of our volunteers:
Read Mem’s story here.
Read Catherine’s story here.
Ellen shares:, “Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the volunteer team! We run online volunteer information sessions every few months, and outside of these sessions are always open to chatting about the volunteer process.”
Get in touch with the volunteer team via email here.