One of the difficulties that Indigenous peoples may face is networking. Even though the Internet is developed and people can easily connect with one other, it does not mean all people know how to network with other communities. Actually it can be quite hard to connect with people; I knew there should be a Japanese community in Quebec City when I first moved here, but it took me several months to meet the first Japanese person!

The Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples in Canada is an open network to promote giving, sharing, and philanthropy in Indigenous communities across Canada. They connect with and support the empowerment of Indigenous communities and individuals in building a stronger, healthier future. They strive to strengthen the Indigenous right to self-determination as one of their goals through  workshops, meetings, newsletters, and so on.

In 2006, an Indigenous entrepreneur started NationTalk as a newswire and listing service that aggregated information relevant to the Indigenous communities in Canada. Their services rapidly grew across Canada and now it is the great way to reach out to the Indigenous communities, with more than 15,000 daily newsletter subscribers and over 2 million page impressions a year through its website. NationTalk allows the creation of websites with local information on jobs, with advertisements, and news for communities as small as a village.

Networking can help Indigenous people strengthen their relationships with others, with numerous benefits for all concerned. It can also be a good source of new perspectives and ideas, expand opportunities for business or valuable knowledge, open doors to the exchange of valuable suggestions, and provide guidance.