Truth and Reconciliation
At the beginning of 2022, as we reflected on our values and mission as a professional firm, we made a decision to embed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls-to-action #92 into our mission statement. As an organization, this meant building these principles into our philosophy, approach, operations, as well as training.
Through our professional practice, we will continue to honour CTA #92, by partnering with Indigenous Nations, communities and organizations to operationalize ideas and achieve resilience.
As a collective and as individuals, we have also committed to:
1. Engage Nations whose land we operate on in conversations about employment opportunities, tax collection and other meaningful acts of reconciliation.
2. Work with not-for-profit Indigenous organizations on a volunteer basis to contribute our time and expertise
Business and Reconciliation
We call upon the corporate sector in Canada to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a reconciliation framework and to apply its principles, norms, and standards to corporate policy and core operational activities involving Indigenous peoples and their lands and resources. This would include, but not be limited to, the following:
i. Commit to meaningful consultation, building respectful relationships, and obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous peoples before proceeding with economic development projects.
ii. Ensure that Aboriginal peoples have equitable access to jobs, training, and education opportunities in the corporate sector, and that Aboriginal communities gain long-term sustainable benefits from economic development projects.
iii. Provide education for management and staff on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.
Follow us on our social media platforms for special features and educational content during National Indigenous Peoples’ Month and National Reconciliation Month.
