Every Voice
Finds Its Way Home
How the Heiltsuk Nation closed the circle — reaching every member, wherever home is, and enabling binding remote votes at their People's Assembly for the first time in the Nation's history.
The Circle Is Not Complete Without You
The Heiltsuk Nation's homeland is Bella Bella — accessible only by plane or ferry. Hundreds of members live throughout BC and beyond, maintaining deep cultural and political ties while separated by geography and cost. Under the Nation's own laws and constitutional duty, the People's Assembly must be accessible to every eligible Heiltsuk citizen — not just those who can afford to travel.
41 video · 30 phone · 10 questions asked
75 video · 5 phone · 16 questions asked
For the first time, a Heiltsuk member in Vancouver could cast a binding vote on Nation business.
Previously impossible without physical presence in Bella Bella. Phone participants used their keypad; video participants voted on-screen. All votes counted in real time alongside in-person ballots. The two-day outreach cycle — advance notification the day before, direct outreach on the day of — drove meaningful participation rates across both events.
A Layered Hybrid Model — Nothing About Us Without Us
Converso deployed a multi-channel outbound platform creating a single moderated assembly across four simultaneous participation modes: in-person at the Big House, telephone dial-in, video conference from home, and satellite watch party in Vancouver. The key insight: different members face different barriers. The solution met members where they were — not the other way around.
- Outbound calls to every eligible member — a personal invitation
- Personalized one-click video link by email — unique, non-transferable
- Voicemail for anyone who missed the call — no one left uninvited
- Second outbound call morning of the event — join by staying on the line
- Live-stream of Big House proceedings to all remote participants
- Binding votes via phone keypad or on-screen — alongside in-person ballots
- Moderated Q&A — remote members asked questions during live proceedings
- Satellite watch party for Vancouver diaspora — group participation at a remote office
A professional, broadcast-quality experience that reflected the dignity of the People's Assembly.
"The scope of Converso's service extended well beyond technology. The result was a professional, broadcast-quality experience that reflected the dignity and significance of the People's Assembly. We found Converso to be a professional, reliable, and deeply respectful partner throughout our engagement. Their team demonstrated a genuine understanding of the importance of these gatherings to our Nation and brought the same level of care and competence to both events. We are confident in recommending Converso to other First Nations communities seeking a trusted partner to help them fulfill their constitutional and democratic obligations to their members."
The Participation Gap Is a Governance Crisis — and a Solvable One
For First Nations across Canada, the gap between constitutional rights and practical participation is wide. Members are dispersed — but their rights to vote on resolutions and be heard do not diminish with distance.
The Circle Is Not Complete Without You
Remote participation is not a compromise — it is an expansion of democratic participation. A member in Vancouver carries the same constitutional rights as a member in Bella Bella. The talking circle holds that no decision is final until every voice is heard.
Nothing About Us Without Us
The telephone channel is essential, not optional. Not every member has reliable internet. Not every elder wants a video interface. The outbound call model reaches members who would otherwise be entirely excluded from their own Nation's governance decisions.
Carried by All, Decided by All
Binding decisions are legally defensible when voting is integrated across all participation channels. The Vancouver watch party was not mandated — members showed up because they wanted to be part of their Nation's decisions. Urban diaspora want to participate.
Built for Nations Facing the Participation Gap
This model is built for Nations where the gap between constitutional obligation and practical participation is real.
- A constitutionally or legally mandated obligation to reach all members for assemblies, AGMs, or consultations
- A significant portion of membership living outside the home community
- Quorum or legitimacy concerns tied to low in-person attendance
- Elders or members with mobility limitations who deserve full participation
- Remote or fly-in communities where travel cost creates a real participation barrier
- Votes or resolutions requiring broad member ratification to be legally defensible
End-to-End. Managed by Converso. No Technical Lift Required.
Not software-as-a-service. Service-with-software. Your Nation's staff focuses on the purpose of the gathering — Converso handles everything else.
Ready to Bring Every Voice Home?
The Heiltsuk Nation proved the model works. Let's talk about how Converso can close the circle for your Nation.
No commitment required · Response within one business day · 1-888-982-9594