Truth and Reconciliation
September 30th is Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On this day, we honour the Survivors, Intergenerational Survivors, and the communities that have been painfully impacted by the Indian Residential School System and remember those who did not return home.
Commitment to Amplifying Indigenous Voices
The Chamber of Commerce Brantford–Brant is committed to amplifying Indigenous voices and continuously learning about the tragic history of residential schools. We encourage the Brantford–Brant community to engage in educational opportunities and actively support our Indigenous communities.
Call to Action: Corporate Responsibility for Reconciliation
As part of our commitment to reconciliation, we endorse Call to Action 92 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We call upon the corporate sector in Canada to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as a framework for reconciliation and to apply its principles in corporate policies and operations that impact Indigenous peoples and their lands.
This commitment includes:
- Meaningful Consultation & Respectful Relationships
Corporations should commit to engaging in meaningful consultation, building respectful relationships, and obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous peoples before proceeding with any economic development projects.
- Equitable Access to Opportunities
Ensure that Indigenous peoples have equitable access to jobs, training, and education opportunities within the corporate sector, and that their communities benefit sustainably from economic development projects.
- Education & Awareness
Provide education for management and staff on the history of Indigenous peoples, including the legacy of residential schools, UNDRIP, Treaties, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal-Crown relations. This requires skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.
Educational Resources:
Explore these valuable resources to deepen your understanding of Indigenous perspectives and support reconciliation:
Introduction to Indigenous Matters – Wilfrid Laurier University
This course provides learners with a brief overview of the discipline of Indigenous Studies including the history, culture and experiences of Indigenous peoples of North America
A free, online course from the University of Alberta that explores key issues facing Indigenous peoples today, from a historical and critical perspective.
A transformative multimedia initiative offering education on truth and reconciliation, designed to promote dialogue and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
Introduction to Indigenous Matters – First Nations University of Canada
This course provides learners with a brief overview of the discipline of Indigenous Studies including the history, culture and experiences of Indigenous peoples of North America
Certificate in Reconciliation Studies
The Certificate in Reconciliation Studies (CRS) at the First Nations University of Canada is an 18-credit, 6-course program that promotes healing, equity, and respect for Indigenous cultures, benefiting non-degree-seeking individuals and offering a pathway to further academic programs in Indigenous Studies and related fields.
