September 30 is a noteworthy day in Canada because it is a day to reflect on the treatment and future of Indigenous People in Canada. September 30 started as Orange Shirt Day in memory of a small girl who had her new orange shirt taken away on her first day of residential school. Residential schools in Canada were a system of boarding schools established in the 19th century and operated throughout much of the 20th century. These schools were primarily run by religious organizations with the support and funding of the Canadian government.

The primary goal of residential schools was to forcibly remove Indigenous children from their families and communities and assimilate them into European-Canadian culture. They were not allowed to speak their native languages, practice their cultural traditions, or maintain their Indigenous identities. Instead, they were subjected to cultural assimilation, religious indoctrination, and harsh discipline. Many students experienced physical, emotional, and sexual abuse while attending these schools, and the conditions in some schools were deplorable.

The impact of residential schools on Indigenous communities in Canada has been devastating. Many survivors have experienced long-lasting upheaval, and the legacy of these schools continues to affect Indigenous communities today, contributing to issues such as intergenerational trauma, substance use, and mental health challenges.

In recent years, there has been increased awareness and acknowledgment of the atrocities committed in these schools. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada, which operated from 2008 to 2015, documented the history and impact of residential schools and issued a series of 94 Calls to Action — recommendations aimed at reconciliation and healing to address the historical and ongoing impacts of the Indian Residential School system on Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

All the 94 calls to action are important for Canadians to read to understand the history of our country and the legacy that unfair policies and actions have in the current day.

Because this column deals with the working world, I will devote my energy to exploring Call to Action No. 92 — which specifically pertains to the corporate sector and employment.

Here it is in its entirety, from the TRC Final Report:

Call to Action No. 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 in their territories.

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 essence, Call to Action No. 92 calls upon the corporate sector in Canada to take specific steps to promote reconciliation with Indigenous peoples by respecting their rights, engaging in meaningful consultation, providing equitable employment opportunities, and educating their workforce about Indigenous history and issues.

In a speech to the Richard Ivey School of Business in 2021, the Honourable Murray Sinclair, Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, said, “There is an economic spin-off benefit that we need to recognize and, if we can all collectively ensure that Indigenous People are part of the economic growth of this country, then we will see that the economics of this country will also grow.”

All organizations have an obligation to fulfill the requirements under Call to Action No. 92, and Manitoba’s Indigenous population is set to be one in five by 2041. If we make tangible and collaborative efforts to make Indigenous people partners in our economic success, we will all prosper as a result.

Here are some practical things organizations can implement, above and beyond meaningful consultation, to work towards Reconciliation:

The first step is to learn about the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada from pre-contact to present day. There are many important areas to learn about including how Indigenous peoples related to each other prior to the arrival of Europeans, the impact of the Indian Act, residential schools, child welfare, the justice system, and Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).

When you and your employees learn about these areas, there will be renewed compassion for the legacy of trauma and discrimination Indigenous people continue to grapple with to this day. The history of poor treatment of Indigenous people by Canada has made it difficult for them to economically prosper. It is important for all Canadians to collaborate to correct this injustice.

Next, add inclusive language to your job postings that encourages Indigenous people to apply. There are also Indigenous job fairs and Indigenous student groups at all post-secondary institutions in the province which will help you find Indigenous candidates.

It is also important to look at your policies to ensure they are providing a welcoming environment for Indigenous employees. Check with the landlord to see whether smudging can occur at the workplace, take a look at expanding your Bereavement Policy to include a broader definition of family, and consider adding Indigenous Days — like today, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — to your list of office closures.

Efforts are ongoing in Canada to address the legacy of residential schools, promote truth and reconciliation, and support Indigenous communities in their efforts to heal and revitalize their cultures and languages.

All organizations can assist in this heart work and hard work so Indigenous peoples and all Canadians have a prosperous future and a sense of belonging.

Sources: Projections of the Indigenous populations and households in Canada, 2016 to 2041. Statistics Canada.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action. 2015.

Tory McNally, CPHR, BSc., vice-President, HR Consulting is a human resource professional, radio personality, speaker, and problem solver. She can be reached at [email protected].