About
We are a national Indigenous-led organization that supports safe, fair, and dignified work for Indigenous people across Canada.
We bring together Indigenous-led organizations working in occupational health and safety, workers’ compensation, and research.
By aligning these efforts under one structure, COIW supports consistent, culturally grounded approaches to worker protection while respecting the autonomy and priorities of Indigenous communities.
Industries we work in include:
- Heavy Equipment Operation
- Housing
- Oil and Gas Extraction
- Healthcare
- Retail and Wholesale
- Manufacturing
- Construction
Our leadership
Toby Desnomie has worked with First Nations communities for more than 25 years as a safety professional, manager, and instructor. His experience as a National Construction Safety Officer Instructor has shaped a practical approach to safety that combines industry standards with cultural understanding and community priorities.
Toby’s leadership is rooted in long-term relationship building and the belief that Indigenous communities should lead the systems that protect their people at work and in daily life.
Titles
The Confederacy of Indigenous Workers (COIW) is centred on empowerment, self-determination, safety, and equitable justice for all Indigenous workers.
Guided by principles of cultural respect, community well-being, and spiritual awareness, COIW operates within a holistic culturally grounded that upholds the inherent rights and governance structures of Indigenous Peoples.
Our vision is to achieve a future where all Indigenous workers across Canada exercise full jurisdiction over their labour rights and well-being.
Guided by inherent Indigenous laws, spiritual practices, and traditional governance, Indigenous workers thrive in safe, equitable, and culturally enriched workplaces that honour self-determination and holistic community wellness.
The CoIW’s mission is to uphold and advocate for the inherent rights, spiritual well-being, and physical safety of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis workers.
We do so by leading collaborative efforts in occupational health and safety, fair compensation, and community-driven research.
We are committed to closing socio-economic gaps and eliminating barriers through the collective work of our founding father organizations, ensuring all actions are guided by Indigenous laws and worldviews.