RELATIONSHIP BUILDING

Opportunities for municipalities and Indigenous communities to build meaningful partnerships

CATHERINE LAFFERTY

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Call to Action 92 is directly aimed at the business sector. It reads: “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.”

Before the TRC was created in 2015, the 2010 Winter Olympics that took place on the traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil Wau-tuth, and Lil’Wat nations is considered a legacy event that marked a new way to work with local Indigenous nations and highlight local Indigenous talent. It was a prime example of municipalities and local nations working together to put on one of the largest events in the world. This would not have been successful without the blessing of local Indigenous nations. As a result of this collaboration, many great ventures transpired long after the games were held, including a First Nations snowboarding association with the mandate of empowering Indigenous youth in their efforts to compete at an elite level. This came from the relationship and capacity building work that took place behind the scenes at the Olympics between local nations and municipalities from Vancouver to Whistler. The Olympics also prompted the expansion of Indigenous markets, like outdoor adventure tourism, with great emphasis placed on land-based teachings led by local Indigenous Knowledge keepers who know and respect the area they are from. This is unlike some other tourist operations that may skip past significant historical landmarks or try teaching local Indigenous Knowledge systems that are not their own — a form of cultural appropriation. Talaysay Tours is a great example of how best to operate an Indigenous eco-tourism business. Talaysay Tours, a fully Indigenous-owned-andoperated company, provides guided visits of Stanley Park in the heart of Vancouver. Although the park is now considered a regional green space within the district of Metro Vancouver, it is still very much on the territory of Squamish Peoples. A Talaysay guided tour will explain this to tourists, and include the history of the Squamish Peoples, and how food of the forest floor was once fully utilized for medicinal purposes and building materials. Although not necessary, these tours come with local municipal endorsement.

Over on Vancouver Island, the Songhees Nation and the municipality of Victoria are working together to make great strides on many aspects of reconciliation, including in a new real estate plan. Homeowners in the City of Victoria

A light display depicting a moose by the Port of Vancouver •

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might soon be given the choice to voluntarily donate up to 10% of their annual property tax to a reconciliation fund, which would go to local Indigenous nations. This is a unique way for municipalities and allies alike to contribute to the land back movement.

As climate change catastrophes abound and temperatures continue to rise, there is no time to waste on the evidence-based global warming emergency, and this work is best led by Indigenous Peoples, who have long been protectors of the natural environment. They collectively control 20% of Canada’s land base, according to Indigenomics, which equals 15 million hectares. Another 45 million hectares of untouched, pristine terrain is controlled by Inuit, and can be utilized for green energy innovations, instead of oil and gas extraction. Yet there is still hesitation from municipalities, governments and corporations to meet Indigenous Peoples on equal ground. This challenges the ability to move forward on lowering carbon emissions in B.C. and across Canada. There has to be a sharing of wealth and not all corporations are willing to let go of the reigns. Although not in B.C., the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation in Old Crow Yukon Territory have single handedly forced the local government to the negotiation table. They have since become their own independent power producer, and have successfully sold solar energy. They are now exploring intermittent biomass energy from harvesting seasonal willow in a sustainable manner and commissioning it back to the local utility in the amount of approximately $400,000 per year. This then feeds directly back into the First Nation's fly-in community of less than 300 people to support health, education and safety programs, and the establishment of local employment.

Now is the time to seek out solid partnerships and investment with Indigenous businesses. If municipalities don’t come forward to try and build good working relationships with the Indigenous nations whose lands they occupy, they will miss key opportunities. Carol Anne Hilton, founder of the Indigenomics Institute, explains how important it is now for governments, municipalities, businesses and non-profits to take a seat beside Indigenous Peoples at the economic table. “Through the rise of Indigenous economic empowerment, this power shift in the economic landscape is shaping the future of this country. The way forward must build understanding and awareness, supporting the development of new economic and financial tools and structures for stronger economic outcomes. This is modern Indigenous economic design,” Hilton writes in Indigenomics. This power shift removes the victim narrative of Indigenous nations, and instead allows nations and communities to come out of hundreds of years of colonization to a more positive, healthy reality that is based on respect for the environment and society as a collective, explains Hilton.

Municipalities partnering with First Nations is a win-win. For Indigenous businesses, municipal partnerships can contribute to a future that is mutually respectful by incorporating Indigenous values and principles in the creation of a diverse and robust economy — one that centres reciprocity, responsible progress and forward-thinking development that puts the health of future generations first. For a municipality, partnering with an Indigenous business is an opportunity to make Canada a model of how to conduct business in a respectful and engaging way. Partnership can also build confidence in investors looking to develop on lands that aren't in question or subject to controversy or uncertainty. Agreement between municipalities and Indigenous nations about what should occur in shared communities should be leading the way forward.

A wintery road on Songhees First Nation territory • SUBMITTED

Catherine Lafferty is a northern Indigenous freelancer and author.

WHAT IS THE STATE OF YOUR PARKING LOT?

Reconnecting and reflecting after COVID-19

RACELLE KOOY

As we navigate stepping out into the world after more than two years of relative isolation, I wonder about the state of my parking lot, and yours too. I am referring to a parking lot in the context of how I use it as a facilitator, as a catchment tool for managing extraneous ideas and activities that come up in strategic planning.

Recently, executive coach Amrita Ahuja introduced me to the concept of parking personal and professional ideas, goals and activities. She encouraged us to revisit our parking lots regularly to see what parked items could be woven or reintegrated into our daily lives.

As we forge back out into the demands of face-to-face interactions, I invite Indigenous readers to check in: how are you making time for the unwieldy aspects of being in connection with your lineage? Like me, do you have an intention to connect to ancestral practices, yet find yourself missing out on opportunities? These practices, such as plant medicine gathering, fish processing, hunting preparation and time on the land, remind us of who we are, who came before us and who is yet to come. The cowboy coffee around the campfire or fresh off the camp stove, the little moments of observing the seasonal round beyond the big picture of “Are the salmon running?” and “Is the sage ready to pick?” are equally enriching.

From what I have witnessed, taking time to connect with the lands, waters, plants, animals and people of your homelands may not be the most comfortable thing to do. Whether moving through the awkwardness of reconnecting to lost family lines, or leaving the coziness of home, chances are these small sacrifices will be worth it as they leave you feeling more grounded to your sense of purpose. Also, in the deep snows (or rains) of winter, that bit of harvested goodness will provide a visceral connection to time-immemorial practices. We are stronger for it.

For non-Indigenous readers, understand that with each season, your Indigenous colleagues, business associates and friends may need to extend a weekend to take advantage of the seasonal round. Salmon have their own schedule, as do ripening berries. Your understanding will encourage us to make time for these activities. Why not also take some time to reflect on what aspects of your personal life help you connect to the lands you reside in, and what ways you would enjoy observing the seasonal round? If you are looking for some further insight, I invite you to read the piece I wrote about salmon for the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada.

I hope that your personal and professional parking lots will be full of movement.

Of Secwepemc and St’atl’imc ancestry, and a member of Samahquam First Nation, Racelle Kooy is dedicated to amplifying the voices and respectful representation of Indigenous Peoples in the world at large.

WHY NOT ALSO TAKE SOME TIME TO REFLECT ON WHAT ASPECTS OF YOUR PERSONAL LIFE HELP YOU CONNECT TO THE LANDS YOU RESIDE IN AND WHAT WAYS YOU WOULD ENJOY OBSERVING THE SEASONAL ROUND?

BRINGING TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION TO B.C. HEALTH SYSTEMS

Indigenous health equity is essential to supporting a future of Indigenous leadership

BRITTANY BINGHAM

The development of successful Indigenous leadership and workforces is dependent on an informed Indigenous recruitment and retention strategy. The success of such a strategy is dependent on a movement towards health and social equity at a societal level, and on breaking down barriers that have been stacked up for Indigenous Peoples over hundreds of years under a colonial agenda. Striving to increase Indigenous recruitment and retention in any organization requires a deeper understanding of the lasting impact of colonialism, intergenerational trauma and how past and current experiences of racism and discrimination are experienced.

Over the past few years, Indigenous Peoples have experienced a constant onslaught of the realities of these inequities: the devastating uncovering of thousands of unmarked graves outside residential schools across Canada; the opiate crisis; violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people; and many more examples, all nestled within a global pandemic. The stark reality is that these events ripple out to have an impact on every Indigenous person, family and community. This has a profound impact on the wellness of the Indigenous workforce. Workplace equity efforts and initiatives can fall flat when the complex and current reality of intergenerational trauma is not considered, and it is essential that workplaces are intentionally informed.

The population of Indigenous Peoples across B.C. is growing fast and is predominantly young, posing a significant opportunity for developing the next generation of Indigenous leaders. Indigenous Peoples are needed in all areas of the workforce, especially in leadership positions. But significant efforts still need to be made to pave that path and support Indigenous wellness in the face of systemic racism. My work involves conducting research that informs health system transformation, and I believe that improving our health systems plays an integral role in supporting Indigenous equity in the workforce across all sectors. Healthy, well and thriving Indigenous Peoples, communities and families will help bring more Indigenous voices to leadership tables.

Health system transformation is driven by pivotal and keystone documents, such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ National Action Plan. In 2020, an independent review was commissioned by the B.C. Ministry of Health in response to claims that health workers at some B.C. emergency departments were allegedly guessing blood alcohol levels of Indigenous patients in a Price-is-Rightstyle game. Although the review did not find significant evidence of this, disturbing evidence of widespread racism experienced by Indigenous Peoples in B.C.’s healthcare system was documented, and included stereotyping, discrimination and prejudice, which in turn carried a range of negative impacts, including death.

The In Plain Sight report validated what we as Indigenous Peoples already knew, as cases like that of Brian Sinclair and Joyce Echaquan are forever part of our collective consciousness. It is known that racism can turn deadly. The review specifically called for B.C. health authorities, universities and colleges to recruit Indigenous individuals to senior positions to promote systemic change. When Indigenous Peoples are at the helm of organizational shifts, they can apply their experiential knowledge of the complex realities and impacts of colonialism to the disruption of the status quo. Building a thriving Indigenous workforce and supporting Indigenous leadership is not only essential to businesses and industries across B.C., but pivotal in healthcare as a tool for health equity, justice and reconciliation. Indigenous patients seeing themselves represented across all aspects of healthcare — from leadership to frontline staff — is essential to delivering culturally safe care. The next generation of Indigenous leaders are ready to thrive in workforces across all industries, but it is up to current leaders to build systems that are inclusive, informed and supportive; that allow Indigenous Peoples to thrive after generations of systemic barriers.

Dr. Brittany Bingham is a proud member of the Shishalh Nation, director of Indigenous research at Vancouver Coastal Health and the Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, and an assistant professor in social medicine at the University of British Columbia.

BUILDING A THRIVING INDIGENOUS WORKFORCE AND SUPPORTING INDIGENOUS LEADERSHIP IS NOT ONLY ESSENTIAL TO BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRIES ACROSS B.C., BUT PIVOTAL IN HEALTHCARE AS A TOOL FOR HEALTH EQUITY, JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION