Our People

The people behind practical governance education

Practitioner-led teaching, grounded in respect for Indigenous knowledge and the everyday work that sustains good governance.

Founder & Principal Instructor

Carrie Lynch, GPC.D

Carrie Lynch, GPC.D, is the founder and principal instructor of Indigenous Board Administrative and Governance Services, with a background in legal and governance administration. Carrie has worked in public service and alongside Indigenous organizations, supporting good governance through sound processes, records and administrative practices.

She created this organization in order to address the lack of practical, role-specific training available to governance administrators. Her focus is on equipping the professionals who support Indigenous governance every day with usable tools and clear guidance.

“Strong governance is built not only through leadership, but also through the professionals who prepare, organize and sustain the work behind every board table.”

Guiding Principle

A Welcome Guided by Indigenous Knowledge

Elder Lorraine Whitman-Peters

Indigenous Board Administrative and Governance Services is honoured to include a welcome from Elder Lorraine Whitman-Peters within its educational materials. Her contribution reflects the importance of beginning learning with respect for Indigenous knowledge, community and the values that guide governance.

Her welcome sets a tone of respect, responsibility and service to future generations. We acknowledge Elder Whitman-Peters’ generous contribution in sharing her words with participants.

About Us

Supporting the people who strengthen Indigenous governance

Indigenous Board Administrative & Governance Services was created to strengthen Indigenous governance by supporting the professionals who make it work every day.

Our Story

Recognizing the work that happens behind every good decision.

Indigenous Board Administrative & Governance Services was founded to address a gap that has existed within governance education for many years.

While governance education has traditionally focused on Boards of Directors and organizational leadership, very little practical education has been available for the administrative professionals responsible for supporting governance behind the scenes.

Every meeting agenda, policy review, governance record, Board resolution, committee package, orientation binder, and governance calendar depends upon knowledgeable administrative professionals who help transform governance decisions into action.

Our work exists to recognize, support, and strengthen those professionals through practical education, governance resources, and real-world tools that can immediately be applied within Indigenous organizations.

What We Do

Four ways we support Indigenous governance.

Professional Education Program

Practitioner-led education designed specifically for administrative professionals working within Indigenous organizations.

Governance Resources

Practical templates, guides, governance tools, and downloadable resources.

Organizational Training

Private organizational training, conference presentations, and customized professional development.

Indigenous Governance Resource Network

Connecting organizations with trusted governance resources and Indigenous-owned businesses across Canada.

Our Approach

Built from practical experience.

Everything we create is built from practical experience.

Indigenous governance is diverse. It includes many governance models, organizational structures, and legal contexts across First Nations, Inuit, Métis, treaty, self-governing, and Indigenous non-profit organizations. Our materials are designed to be adaptable to that diversity rather than to represent a single uniform system.

Rather than focusing solely on governance theory, our programs emphasize implementation—providing participants with practical knowledge, systems, templates, and processes they can confidently use within their organizations.

We believe governance is strengthened when administrative professionals are recognized as essential partners in good governance.

Our Vision

Practical, practitioner-led governance education for Indigenous organizations.

To be a trusted, practitioner-led source of governance education, professional resources, and administrative training for Indigenous organizations in Canada.

We envision a future where every Indigenous organization has access to practical governance education that strengthens accountability, supports leadership, and builds organizational capacity.

Land Acknowledgement

With respect for the lands and the people.

Indigenous Board Administrative & Governance Services respectfully acknowledges that our work is based on the traditional and unceded territories of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation.

We honour the enduring relationships that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples have with these lands and waters since time immemorial.

As an organization serving Indigenous governance professionals across Canada, we recognize that every Nation has its own histories, traditions, and governance systems.

We are committed to creating practical educational resources that honour Indigenous knowledge, strengthen governance, and support the important work being carried out in communities from coast to coast to coast.

Our Values

What guides our work.

Practical Education

Respect

Integrity

Professional Excellence

Collaboration

Continuous Learning

Our Commitment

Honouring Knowledge.•Strengthening Governance.•Building the Future.

Ready to strengthen governance within your organization?

Explore Our Certificate Program Contact Us

Resource Network

Stay connected

Practitioner-led governance resources, course announcements, and partnership invitations — delivered occasionally, never sold.

Want to choose specific interests? Use the full sign-up form.