Our Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation

Our hearts broke after the tragic discovery of thousands of graves at former residential schools across Canada in 2021. Broke – because these children deserved better. Broke – because this isn’t ancient history – residential school survivors still walk amongst us. Broke – because trauma runs deep and through generations.

This tragic discovery reinforced that we all share a responsibility to honour the lives of these children and many others that didn’t make it home by learning, listening and committing to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Here’s a few examples of how we stood alongside the Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit and Metis Peoples to show our support as we continue down our reconciliation journey.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation In honour of residential school survivors and as part of our commitment to truth and reconciliation, we closed all of our advice centres and Campus location on Thursday, September 30 to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a day of reflection.

In the weeks leading up to September 30, we provided our employees various opportunities to engage with truth and reconciliation-related activities, where they learned more about Indigenous culture and history, as we further demonstrated our commitment to reconciliation. Some of those opportunities included: • Walked in Rock Your Roots – a socially distanced walk honouring residential school survivors and reconciliation. • Provided employees with the free and confidential service to speak with Lloyd

Robertson, a Saskatchewan-based,

Indigenous registered psychologist trained specifically in Indigenous issues. • Provided employees the option to direct their

Community Spirit Fund (CSF), as mentioned in the front cover, to fund the Indian

Residential School Resolution Health Support program provided by Regina Treaty/Status

Indian Services. When employees directed their $200 CSF towards this cause, we matched all donations – totalling $43,000. • Invited Chantel Buffalo, one of our employees from our 8th Street location, to share her story of the intergenerational effects she and her family experienced due to the residential school system. • Engaged with Annie Battiste, a reconciliation consultant based in Saskatchewan, as she presented to the leadership group discussing

Indigenous history, Treaty awareness and reconciliation. • Listened to the brother-sister duo of

Naheyawin as they presented to the Member

Experience Division regarding Treaty land acknowledgements. • Participated in Orange Shirt Day on June 4 and June 25 to honour the discovery of graves at former residential schools on

Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc territory in BC and Cowessess First Nation in SK.

As part of living our values, we’re proud to celebrate the distinct cultural practices, languages, spiritual beliefs and significant contributions of Indigenous peoples in our community. While our journey to reconciliation is ongoing, we’re committed to listening and learning from local elders and knowledge keepers, so we may heal our past and empower our future.