Reconciliation
RECONCILIATION IN CANADA
“Reconciliation is more than just a word” - JUSTIN TRUDEAU, PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA
Until recently, mainstream Canadians were unaware of the horrors and conditions that 150,000 Indigenous children endured in the Indian residential schools over a period of more than 100 years. In 2015, the government of Canada published the Truth and Reconciliation Report with its 94 calls to action, which has inspired an awareness of the need and importance of reconciliation, inclusiveness and anti-racism.
The TRC defines reconciliation as: “. . . establishing and maintaining a mutually respectful relationship between Aboriginal
and non-Aboriginal peoples in this country. In order for that to happen, there has to be awareness of the past, an acknowledgement of
the harm that has been inflicted, atonement for the causes, and action to change behaviour.”
Indigenous Procurement
The inclusion of Aboriginal businesses into the Canadian Supply chain is a fundamental step in providing meaningful participation into the economic engine of Canada resulting in good jobs and better communities. Indigenous businesses currently represent less than 1% of the National supply chain, while American and multinational corporations are allowed to leverage Canadians without providing investment into disadvantaged population groups and communities.
The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business notes that “Aboriginal procurement is an important driver of economic reconciliation and development for Aboriginal communities due to the revenue procurement generates for Aboriginal businesses as well as the relationships formed through corporations and Governments establishing procurement agreements with Aboriginal businesses.”
Click To learn more about the CCAB procurement initiativeMSS Ltd. is the only Indigenous-owned and operated Medical Device and Drug Wholesale operating in Canada as well as the only Northwest Territories-based wholesale. As a certified indigenous company, MSS has a goal of permanently incorporating ourselves into the Federal supply chain by offering competitive pricing, quality products and services in a professional and culturally appropriate manner.
MSS supports the CCAB Procurement Initiative’s belief that “increasing Aboriginal procurement opportunities not only will the Aboriginal economy grow but the overall Canadian economy and this will help lead to economic reconciliation whereby Aboriginal peoples will no longer be managing poverty but managing wealth.”
Prime Minister’s Address
We are working closely with Indigenous Peoples in Canada to better respond to their priorities, to better understand how they see and define self-determination, and to support their work of nation rebuilding. Along with Indigenous partners, we are co-developing programs to ensure the preservation, protection and revitalization of Métis, Inuit and First Nations languages. In short, we have been working hard, in partnership with other orders of government, and with lndigenous leaders in Canada, to correct past injustices and bring about a better quality of life for Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
For full access to The Prime Minsiter’s Speech, Click here
Message from James Hiebert
James Hiebert – Indigenous Reconciliation
“I believe that we are all here to stay, and we must continue to build relationships of trust,
mutual respect and support. The road to Reconciliation may be extended and challenging, but it
is a road that all people, indigenous and otherwise, must walk together... .”
Read more of James’ message about indigenous reconciliation
The Truth & Reconciliation Commission of
Canada declares the following regarding Call to Action # 92
Call To Action # 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:
Commit to meaningful consultation, building respectful relationships, and obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous peoples before proceeding with economic development projects.
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.
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.”