September 30 marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour the lost children and survivors of Canadian Residential Schools – as well as their families and communities.  It also coincides with Orange Shirt Day, which began in 2013 to honour Indigenous children and to educate Canadians about the impact that Residential Schools, and school systems, had on our Indigenous Communities.

As a national industry association, TECHNATION, is commemorating this day with acknowledgement, reflection, and education with all staff.

TECHNATION’S RESPONSE TO THE TRC CALL TO ACTION

Our goal as a leading national industry association is to ensure we continue to support external diversity initiatives across the Canadian tech sector that provide opportunities for Indigenous peoples. We also support internal diversity measures and encourage staff to provide input on ways we can advance our own diversity initiatives. Currently TECHNATION is working with and seeking out Indigenous community partners.

OUR COMMITMENTS TO THE “BUSINESS AND RECONCILIATION” CALL TO ACTION

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada released 94 Calls to Action in 2015 to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation.

In observation of this day, I recommend that we all review these calls to action to see where we can practice meaningful reconciliation in our own lives, as well as in our professional relationships with Indigenous people.

Angela Mondou

President and CEO

TECHNATION  

 Our Commitment

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada released 94 Calls to Action in 2015 to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation. As a Canadian enterprise, TECHNATION is committed to the “Business and Reconciliation” Call to Action.  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.

• • We continue apply “nothing about us without us” approach when developing programming or events in support of under-represented groups in the tech sector and actively seek input of culturally appropriate advisors.
  • Earlier this year, TECHNATION became a member of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business

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.

• • We are actively enhancing our inclusive recruiting methods to ensure our team is diverse. Much of our programming is centred around including Indigenous people in performance indicators, focus groups and even visual representation in digital campaigns.
  • Did you know that TECHNATION has at least two staff who identify as Indigenous?

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 observation of TRC Day, members of our team involved with the Career Ready Program have been approved by ESDC to attend an industry learning event hosted by the First Nation’s Technology Council. This event will look through Canadian history through an Indigenous lens and help our organization to gain knowledge that will support us in building relationships with Indigenous people while participating in the reconciliation movement in a meaningful way. These staff will share key learnings and reflections from their time at this event with the rest of the team.
  • Recently provided training sessions for all staff related to diversity and anti-racism, intercultural competency and conflict resolution.

TECHNATION remains committed to actively learning, unlearning and improving in all of these areas – and walking down the ‘road to better’ always.