We’re proud to launch the Indigenized Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) Guidebook, co-developed by Dennis Thomas-Whonoak (Kwasen Enterprises), Stephani Carter (Stok), and Andriana Beauchemin (Stok), and supported by the IPDA. Designed for Indigenous real estate owners, developers, and AEC professionals globally, the Indigenized IPD Guidebook shares a design and construction delivery method that enables Indigenous people to practice their own norms and invites colonial design and construction team members to walk in two worlds. It provides a framework and actionable steps to effectively deliver Indigenous-led construction projects that reflect community values and maximize long-term benefits to Indigenous communities and beyond.
WHY IPD?
Given 70% of conventional building projects run over budget and behind schedule, with 44% ending in some form of arbitration or litigation, Integrated Project Delivery offers a better solution.
Compared to conventional delivery, IPD and Lean construction processes have been shown to:
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- Finish 74% of projects ahead of schedule
- Improve profitability/reduce costs by 64%
- Increase safety by 77%
- Boost client satisfaction by 80%
- Face little to no litigation
Most importantly, IPD aligns with Indigenous culture and values by emphasizing collective decision making, mutual respect, and shared responsibility. This alignment strengthens relationships, supports long-term community benefits, and enhances cultural respect and inclusion in construction projects impacting Indigenous lands and people.
WHAT IS IPD?
IPD is a collaborative delivery method that brings the owner, designers, and builders together from day one—when decisions have the most impact. By collaboratively harnessing the talents and insights of all participants and working as a unified team, projects can reduce waste, optimize efficiency, lower risk, and foster innovation through all project phases.
HOW DOES IPD ALIGN WITH INDIGENOUS CULTURE?
From an Indigenous perspective, IPD aligns with the principle of paddling together, focused on the same goals and destination while sharing the risk and reward of the journey. This metaphor—drawn from the cultural significance of the Coast Salish canoe—forms the foundation for the Indigenized IPD Guidebook. That said, the guidebook is Creative Commons copyrighted with the intention that other Indigenous nations will adapt and infuse their own cultural norms with their own cultural knowledge keepers, creating their own versions of this guidebook.
Beyond the shared symbolism of the canoe, many Indigenous cultural traditions—like collective decision-making, relational trust, and knowledge sharing—mirror IPD’s core principles. Unlike conventional project delivery methods that often create silos and deep power imbalances, both Indigenous values and IPD celebrate collaboration, communication, reciprocity, transparency, integrity, dignity, respect, responsibility, accountability, and enjoyment, all resulting in healthy people that deliver healthy results to projects and communities.
HOW DOES IPD BENEFIT INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES?
An Indigenous IPD approach delivers long-term social, cultural, environmental, and economic value to Indigenous communities. An Indigenized IPD approach:
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- Supports Indigenous economic reconciliation through social procurement and local hiring.
- Centers Indigenous values and priorities by enabling Indigenous-led decision-making.
- Builds trust through transparent financial management.
- Advances the decolonization of construction processes.
- Inspires future leaders by celebrating Indigenous culture and expertise.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
IPD works because everyone’s voice matters. When each individual feels heard, respected, and aligned as a team on a common goal, better outcomes follow—for the project and the community. The nature of the IPD process and contract enables an authentically collaborative, supportive, and trusting team that can tackle challenges and celebrate successes together.
Download the Indigenized IPD Guidebook to explore how this approach can transform your next project. Living by example, the guidebook is organized first by Indigenous values, with IPD concepts and principles interwoven within.
Questions or ideas? Reach out—we’d love to connect!
