September 30 Let's Do This!

In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada published ninety-four Calls to Action. Six years later, many Canadians have yet to read the document entirely or in part. Fewer still have reflected on its importance or endeavoured to put these calls into action.

Today is the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation—a federally mandated statutory day of reflection and commemoration. Sadly, not all provinces and businesses are observing it.

There are ninety-two days left in 2021. Each day, from now until the end of the year, I will read, reflect upon and post one call to action. It is my hope that you will join me on this journey, and that together we may affect lasting and meaningful change of heart, mindset and action; that Canada may, one soul at a time, make real progress towards equity and reconciliation.

Let’s not let another year pass without change.

I will begin, today with Call-to-action number 92 as it pertains to Business and Reconciliation:

“92. 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.”

In honour of this call to action, and in particular item #ii, I would like to draw your attention to an amazing initiative: Generation Power (https://www.generationpower.ca/) “The Indigenous Clean Energy Social Enterprise (ICE) has developed a training and career program for Indigenous youth in the clean energy sector! Generation Power is a holistic, capacity-based program that acknowledges the skills, talent and qualifications of youth and employers.” More information is available at the link above. INTECH is happy to have donated to this initiative on behalf of our #BNILivingSkies Chapter #ChangingTheWayTheWorldDoesBusiness. To become a collaborator: https://www.generationpower.ca/get-involved To donate: https://indigenouscleanenergy.com/donate/

Thanks for your time… let’s get this done!