From open question to clear direction.

We bring strategy, design, and innovation together to guide leadership teams from open questions to direction and from direction to Implementation.

Decision

Clarify what matters, name the priority, and choose the path forward.

Direction

Turn the decision into a plan people can align around and act on.

Implementation

Bring the plan into practice through design, software, and operating systems.

How we do the work

Every engagement runs through four disciplines, grounded in human-centred design. Strategy to understand the challenge. Design to make direction visible. Innovation to find better options. Implementation to make it operational.

  • Strategy. Clarify what matters, where momentum slows, and which decision unlocks progress.
  • Design. Map how work happens, then make direction tangible early so it can be tested.
  • Innovation. Explore better options through small experiments and emerging signals, staying close to what the work is telling you.
  • Implementation. Bring direction into practice through pilots, operating habits, enablement, and builds where they add value.

We stay through implementation. That is where most engagements break down.

“Ihtiwin translates to change in nêhiyawêwin. That embodies how we work. Through creative design and innovation, we guide founders and leadership teams to clarity, direction, and bringing it to life.”

Harlee Courtepatte
Harlee Courtepatte
Founder, Ihtiwin

Proof in practice

These examples show how our principles show up in our work.

Niwihcihaw Acceptance Ltd.

Turning manual operations into a usable system

Niwihcihaw Acceptance Ltd. had longstanding manual workflows running their loan intake process. We designed and built a custom loan management web application alongside a new website, purpose-built around how their staff and applicants move through lending. The outcome is fewer handoffs, clearer ownership, and a process people can follow without instruction.

Who we work alongside

Organizations we build with and learn from.

ISAICThird Rock Consulting

Stay in the loop

Occasional updates on what we are learning, building, and exploring.

We care about your data. Read our privacy policy and terms of use.

Frequently asked questions

It means decisions are grounded in the people affected by them. We learn through conversations, examples, and existing materials, then reflect patterns back in plain language so leadership can act with confidence.

Yes. Software is one way to support a workflow. We start with the decision and the goal, then choose the approach that fits, which may include existing platforms, integrations, or a custom built software.

Leaders and decision makers. If you are accountable for an outcome and need clarity on direction, alignment, or implementation, this is the right conversation.

That is common. We start by clarifying what you are trying to achieve and what decision is in front of you. Once that is clear, the right next step usually becomes obvious.

Yes. Ihtiwin works with leaders across sectors. Our approach is human centred and practical, and it applies anywhere leadership needs clarity and alignment.

Indigenous led means Ihtiwin is founded and primarily owned by Indigenous leadership, and the company’s direction, values, and decision making are guided from that perspective. It also means we take responsibility for how we work: respect, accountability, and outcomes leaders can stand behind.