This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) delivering its final report and issuing its 94 Calls to Action.
To honour this milestone and encourage members of the Canadian business community to deeply consider how to take positive steps to engage with the reconciliation process, we’re sharing publicly, for a limited time, a member-exclusive resource: a recording of an hour-long panel discussion we held in October 2024: Business Reconciliation: How your organization can advance Call to Action #92.
We were grateful to be joined by Renee Greyeyes (President & CEO, Indigenous Chamber of Commerce of Manitoba) and Christopher Henry (President, Indigenous Canadian Medical Dispensaries Inc.), who generously shared their knowledge and experiences and provided us with practical steps that organizations can take to advance reconciliation.
Integrating Reconciliation into Your Business Strategy
Step 1: Acknowledge and Understand Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)’s Call to Action #92
- The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) outlined 94 Calls to Action aimed at addressing the historical and ongoing impacts of residential schools on Indigenous peoples. TRC’s Calls to Action outline a path for healing and fostering equitable relationships with Indigenous peoples.
- Call to Action #92 emphasizes the responsibility of businesses to consult with Indigenous peoples, recognize their cultures, and involve them in decision-making processes.
- Businesses and nonprofits play a critical role in advancing reconciliation by incorporating it into their strategic plans, thus creating long-term positive change.
- Take time to read the Calls to Action, in particular Call to Action #92.
Step 2: Engage Indigenous Stakeholders
- Building strong, respectful relationships with Indigenous communities is key to reconciliation. Go visit, listen and learn. Get out into the communities and speak with Indigenous folks. What do various Indigenous communities need and want, and what would true partnership look like?
- Create formal mechanisms for consulting Indigenous peoples, ensuring their voices are heard in business decision-making.
- Integrate Indigenous perspectives into business strategies; not just for representation but also to embrace traditional knowledge and practices into your operations.
- Engage in authentic dialogue, invite community leaders to participate, and ensure consultations are ongoing and meaningful. Know that building trust takes time.
- Respectful outreach is vital: the best practice to approach Indigenous communities is to reach out to the Chief and Council.
Step 3: Conduct Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity Training
- Cultural awareness training educates employees about the history, culture, and perspectives of Indigenous peoples.
- Topics include the legacy of residential schools, the impact of colonization, and how these continue to affect Indigenous communities today.
- Ongoing training ensures cultural sensitivity is embedded across the entire organization, enhancing collaboration and innovation by leveraging diverse viewpoints and improving relationships with Indigenous employees, customers, and stakeholders.
- Need some guidance? The Indigenous Chamber of Commerce has consultants that do this kind of training, and you can look for similar services available in your area.
Step 4: Support Indigenous Employment and Procurement Opportunities
- Develop employment policies that prioritize recruiting and retaining Indigenous talent.
- Support supplier diversity by working with Indigenous-owned businesses and ensuring they are represented in procurement decisions.
- Put a procurement strategy in place that allows Indigenous-owned companies to be part of the bidding process.
- This approach helps break down barriers to economic participation for Indigenous peoples and supports broader economic reconciliation.
Step 5: Foster Economic Reconciliation and Investment
- Foster partnerships with Indigenous communities in joint ventures, co-develop projects, and share benefits equitably.
- Invest in Indigenous-led businesses, education, and skills development programs to strengthen the economic empowerment of Indigenous peoples.
- Enable economic development that respects sovereignty.
- These actions support long-term, sustainable economic reconciliation.
Step 6: Increase Indigenous Representation
- Ensure Indigenous representation across all levels of your organization, including the board of directors, executive leadership, and the general workforce.
- Diverse representation allows for more inclusive decision-making and provides Indigenous perspectives on company initiatives, furthering the commitment to reconciliation.
- Grants are available to support Indigenous hires. Ensure when you bring on Indigenous staff that you’re not limiting their growth potential at your organization. Funding disappears but sustaining employment beyond available funding is so valuable; have a growth plan in mind.
- Consider offering scholarships or internships for Indigenous individuals to acquire industry-specific skills, paving the way for future employment.
Step 7: Monitor and Report on Progress
- Establish clear metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track your organization’s progress on reconciliation efforts and set up a committee to help your organization hit reconciliation goals.
- Regularly report these outcomes to stakeholders, employees, and Indigenous communities to ensure transparency and accountability.
- Feedback mechanisms should also be in place to assess ongoing initiatives and adjust as needed.
- Invite employees and other stakeholders to provide feedback as you assess your ongoing reconciliation initiatives. Allow feedback to be anonymous and request feedback on DEI and reconciliation planning.
Step 8: Develop Long-Term Collaboration
- Reconciliation is not a one-time effort but a long-term commitment to building equitable relationships.
- Ensure reconciliation goals are embedded in the company’s long-term strategic objectives, with ongoing review and updates to ensure meaningful progress.
- Collaboration with Indigenous peoples should be continuous, adaptive, and reflect shared interests.
Step 9: Integrating Reconciliation into Strategic Planning
- Align the company’s vision and mission with reconciliation efforts, reflecting these values in your brand identity.
- Set specific, measurable reconciliation goals and allocate the necessary resources, including funding and staff time.
- Engage employees at all levels to ensure buy-in and create accountability measures to monitor progress and adjust where needed.
Embracing TRC Call to Action #92 isn’t just a moral obligation; it’s a vital opportunity for businesses to take the lead in reconciliation. Through collaboration, education, and community engagement, we can help pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future. Committing to long-term strategies will ensure we make meaningful strides in this journey.
We encourage you to engage with the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce and get involved with reconciliation initiatives.
Additional Resources
Read the Truth and Reconciliation Committee’s Calls to Action Report
(available through nctr.ca/records/reports/)
If you’re interested in the organizations referred to in this talk:
- Renee Greyeyes works with the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Manitoba. She invites those interested in speaking to her further to reach out directly through manager (at) indigenouschambermb.ca or info (at) indigenouschambermb.ca
- Christopher Henry works with the following organizations:
Tribal EV
Indigenous Canadian Medical Dispensaries
Indigenous Green Economy Initiative
The Canadian Council for Indigenous Business produces several helpful resources
Identify Indigenous businesses through their Member Directory
Handout addressing Business Reconciliation In Canada – Actions For Small Business
Business Reconciliation In Canada Guidebook
Finally, we encourage you to research and contact job training and employment funding programs in your area to see if there are grants and bursaries specifically targeted at supporting the hiring of Indigenous job seekers. Here is one example:
Thanks to our national event season sponsors, Co-operators, Scotiabank, and TD.
