In 2015, the Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released a report with 94 recommendations. The TRC engaged Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation.
Recommendation #92 asks the corporate sector and their leadership to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. The commission calls for meaningful consultation, long term sustainable opportunities from economic development projects as well as education and training for managers on the history of Indigenous people, intercultural competency, human rights and anti-racism.
What can your company do to support Truth & Reconciliation in Canada?
• Identify education opportunities with your staff. Where are your knowledge gaps?
• Make concerted effort to improve your Indigenous inclusion workplace performance and your engagement with indigenous communities, people and businesses.
• Determine how you will position your company’s response to Business & Reconciliation
What is Call to Action # 92
Business and Reconciliation
The corporate sector, in Canada, has been called upon 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.
Resources
ACEC-BC’s “Get Started Guide: Indigenous Relations Action Plan!”
https://acec-bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024-09-12_Indigenous-Relations-AP_FINAL.pdf
Engineers Canada report “Indigenous Inclusion in Engineering”
https://engineerscanada.ca/reports/indigenous-inclusion-in-engineering
Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business guide
https://www.ccab.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Business-reconciliation-in-canada_WEB-final_AA.pdf
Statement by Minister Bennett on the 5th anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation final report
https://youtu.be/c0iuGsGGe2I
The NCTR
Reports – NCTR
History of the TRC
https://nctr.ca/about/history-of-the-trc/
4 Seasons of Reconciliation course is offered by Reconciliation Education. Through BDC, this course is available for free to entrepreneurs.
Nisitohtamowin eLearning course by First Nations University of Canada provides an introduction to understanding Indigenous perspectives. Through a partnership with BMO, it is available for free to the public until September 2025.
Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (1996) investigates the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and the Crown. It makes practical recommendations on various issues, including autonomy, healing, economic development, and the creation of Indigenous institutions.
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) (2003) affirms the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples to ensure their survival, dignity, and well-being. In 2021, the Government of Canada formally adopted UNDRIP into law. Corporations can also consider reading the Canadian Government’s Action Plan, which sets out how to implement this document.
Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), which provides 231 Calls for Justice directed at government, institutions, social service providers, and all Canadians to reclaim power and place.
National Indigenous Economic Strategy (2022) contains key recommendations for government, Corporate Canada, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to advance economic reconciliation.