IISAAK Engineers
– Eli Enns, Co-founder and President of the IISAAK OLAM Foundation
IISAAK Engineers collaborates with Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments, developers, and institutional clients to deliver solutions that support reconciliation in Canada. IISAAK Engineers is where Indigenous knowledge and engineering science come together.
We exist to close a critical gap in infrastructure delivery—ensuring projects reflect Indigenous values, priorities, and ways of knowing. By centering trust and community leadership, we strive to deliver positive outcomes for our clients.
Our work is about more than infrastructure. Each project is a pathway to lasting benefit—supporting capacity, strengthening relationships, and promoting Indigenous- led conservation and land stewardship.
Our Services
IISAAK Engineers blends the technical expertise and experience of RJC with the Indigenous engagement expertise of the IISAAK OLAM Foundation. This allows us to identify community priorities through meaningful engagement and to steward project teams through design and development to project completion.
Engineering Services
From assessments to design, we deliver structural, building enclosure, and energy solutions—focused on resilience, performance, and long-term community wellbeing.
Project Management
We support your vision from the ground up—through engagement, project planning, and securing funding—while aligning projects with broader community development goals.
Prime Consulting
For small to large retrofit projects, we can lead and coordinate project teams — promoting clear communication, accountability, and delivery that reflects your priorities.
Client’s Representative Services
We can act as your advocate—supporting coordination, reviewing contracts, and helping build local capacity so benefits extend beyond the project itself.
Supporting Indigenous-Led Conservation
Our Approach
Ethical Space in Practice
We create a space for the Indigenous leadership and cultural knowledge to interact with technical expertise to co-deliver solutions that are both culturally grounded and technically excellent.
We strive to bring this approach to our projects, seeing how Indigenous wisdom and western engineering science can be used together for the benefit of all.
Infrastructure as a Path to Reconciliation
We aim to design and deliver projects in a way that advances cultural revitalization, supports economic reconciliation, and promotes Indigenous led ecosystem stewardship
Holistic, Systems Based Thinking
We approach our projects from the Nuu-chah-nulth philosophy of hišukʔis c̓awaak (hee-shook-ish tsa-wahk) – everything is one and interconnected.
We strive to acknowledge the interconnections between infrastructure, culture, environment, and community – finding unique opportunities for holistic project delivery to support community identified needs.
Nation Building
We don’t just deliver infrastructure—we support Nation-building through projects that drive lasting benefit to Indigenous Nations and the lands they steward.
Partner with Us to Deliver Projects that Support Reconciliation
Whether you’re Nation leadership, an industry partner, or a building owner committed to promoting economic reconciliation—IISAAK Engineers is here to support your goals.
Together, we deliver projects that go beyond the built environment – supporting Nation building, strengthening relationships, and creating lasting benefit for communities and the environment.
Contact UsProven Experience in Indigenous Community Engagement and Engineering Delivery
The partners that contributed to the creation of IISAAK Engineers bring a proven experience Indigenous community engagement and engineering project delivery. The IISAAK OLAM Foundation brings deep experience in respectful engagement with Indigenous Nations and in building grassroots initiatives that respond to community-identified needs.
The Estuary to Old Growth (E2OG) Gathering is an annual, Indigenous-led convening that brings together Nations, communities, and partners along the Pacific West Coast to strengthen relationships, share knowledge, and advance collective stewardship of lands and waters.
Rooted in Indigenous values and teachings, the Gathering creates space for dialogue, cultural exchange, and collaboration in support of long-term ecological and community wellbeing.
The IISAAK OLAM Foundation plays a central role in bringing this work together—leading the initiative through its Westcoast IPCA Support Program, convening partners, and creating the conditions for Nation-to-Nation collaboration, capacity building, and Indigenous-led conservation to flourish.
The IISAAK OLAM Foundation conceived of, and designed the West Coast IPCA Support Program (WISP), as a way to ensure long-term, continuous support for Indigenous Nations that are interested in Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas from the Pacific Northwest all the way down to South America.
WISP is currently working on three interconnected projects that offer opportunities to advance First Nations cultural, ecosystem stewardship, and economic priorities.
RJC Engineers contributes over 75 years of engineering expertise, with a strong track record of delivering projects—including extensive work with Indigenous communities and governments.
Pacific IPCA Innovation Centre – Clayoquot Campus
The IISAAK Learning Lodge at the Pacific IPCA Innovation Centre’s Clayoquot Campus is a renewed Indigenous- led learning and gathering space. The retrofit supports ceremony, teaching, and community connection, while improving comfort, accessibility and long-term performance.
Clayoquot IPCA Campus Carving Shed
The Naa’waya’sum Carving Facility is a dedicated space for cultural creation, learning and gathering. Inspired by traditional longhouses, the facility supports Nuu-chah- nulth carvers with a year-round place to create major cultural works, share knowledge and connect with the community.
MiKai’sto Red Crow Community College
Located one of the largest reserves in Canada, MiKai’sto Red Crow Community College provides a new learning space for community members to share their knowledge, preserve Blackfoot culture and nurture the connection between young adults and community Elders.
Cowichan Secondary School Replacement
The new Cowichan Secondary School weaves collaboration, technology, and innovation into purpose-built spaces fostering learning and creativity, while honouring the unceded Quw’utsun lands on which it is situated.
Kwanlin Dün First Nation Education Hub
This new facility was designed to foster community and cultural connections. The project team consulted with the Nation to collaboratively deliver an education centre that will serve the community and provide future generations with a welcoming space that provides positive learning experiences.
The Lodge at Métis Crossing
The Lodge at Métis Crossing is a new award-winning boutique facility located on historical Métis river lots along the North Saskatchewan River. The project was designed and built to honour and reflect the legacy of the adventurous, entrepreneurial, and resilient spirit of the Métis culture.
Centennial College A Block Expansion
This new facility aims to elevate the future of education in a diverse and inclusive environment, while honouring a commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. Inspired by regional Anishinaabe architecture, the design incorporates Indigenous principles and weaves in nature and aesthtics from Indigenous peoples.
Camosun College – First Nations Gathering Place
The conical and open-sided design of this timber framed structure was inspired by traditional Coast Salish building style. The Gathering Place provides a welcoming location for Camosun’s Indigenous programs to host circle seminars and Elders’ teachings.
BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North
This world-class cancer care centre for residents of the North includes the first green roof in Northern BC and a pavilion to conduct traditional First Nations ceremonies. Extensive use of wood throughout the centre incorporates First Nations design elements.