Empowering Indigenous Voices
Q&A with Autumn Peltier
Mediaplanet sat down with Autumn Peltier, a leading youth environmental activist and the youngest Chief Water Commissioner for the Anishinabek Nation. Autumn shares why she believes it's important for the youth to stand up for what they believe in.
How has being a member of the Anishinabek First Nation motivated your initiatives as an environmental activist?
Anishinabek people are stewards of the land. Being Anishinaabe is my right to advocate and protect the lands. I was raised in a land-based traditional lifestyle since birth, and it's what we do. I was mentored and raised to do this work.
How did you learn that not everyone in Canada has access to clean drinking water, and what was your reaction?
After seeing this personally on-site, it really bothered me, and I felt guilty as if I took having access to clean water for granted. These children had no idea and it seemed they were okay with it. So, I went home that night and I googled what a boil water advisory was and then the can of worms opened. I found out that First Nations communities have had boil water advisories for over 20 years. Then I found out that Ontario had the most of all in Canada — I saw it was 95 percent Indigenous communities only. So, I wondered why only my people? I was confused because Canada isn't a third-world country, but my people live in poor third-world conditions. I was so confused, and my blood began to boil. This was the day and the exact moment that I knew I had to do something.
Do you have a role model who encouraged you to stand up for Indigenous rights?
My role models growing up were my Great Auntie Josephine Mandamin and Mom. My Great Auntie Josephine was the original water protector who walked the shores of all of the Great Lakes. Before she passed, she told me that while people will point and deter you from the work, you have to just keep going. I miss her greatly.
What's one piece of advice you have for the youth when it comes to standing up for what you believe in?
My advice for youth is that anyone can do this work. Everyone has a voice. Everyone has a grandparent who survived so we could be here and continue to stand up for our people, our waters, our lands, and our rights. You must want it and actually do it. It’s scary at first, but once you think about the planet and the waters, your heart brings you to another place where your ancestors’ blood runs through your veins and all you know is survival. Today’s youth are driving the largest movement of voice across so many platforms as everything is so accessible. The more we continue to speak, the closer we get to be heard. When we stand together as one, we are one voice and one nation.
There's an Action for Everyone on the Journey to Reconciliation… and the Time Is Now
Tabatha Bull
It was a little over a year ago that the remains of 215 children were confirmed at Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation in Kamloops, B.C. That news forced many in the country to face our true history and to begin to learn and understand the extent of the damage caused by generations of oppression suffered by Indigenous Peoples. Awareness of the past, acknowledging the harm inflicted, atonement for the causes, and action to change behaviour are necessary steps to make this country whole.
We must empower Indigenous voices by reflecting and acknowledging the past and building toward a future together.
By establishing positive relations with Indigenous communities and businesses across the country, we move one step closer on the journey to reconciliation and to a prosperous economy for all.
Reconciliation — it's a word that we use so often that it feels fragile on my tongue. It's a journey that each of us must take on our own and find our own way.
At Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, we're focused on economic reconciliation driving business opportunities and advancing corporate social responsibility. We offer unique programs and services that help facilitate sustainable relations between First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples and the Canadian business sector.
Take time this month and throughout the year to learn our collective history and cultures, to listen to and empower Indigenous voices, and embrace the truth. This is an opportunity for us all to celebrate and recognize Indigenous contributions, cultures, languages, and especially the future prosperity of Indigenous people.
At Friendship Centres, Indigenous Motherhood Finds Community Support
The essence of community is supporting people’s successes and celebrating our individual and collective achievements. Whether we're engaged in global and national communities or regional, cultural, or smaller communities rising out of necessity, the supports we give define us.
For Indigenous Peoples living in Ontario’s urban centres, the patchwork of available supports is drawn from multiple places across the community with varying degrees of access barriers. At local Indigenous Friendship Centres, however, members of the urban Indigenous communities find a hub of holistic, wrap-around supports that meet community members where they are and provide a path to self-determination through culture-based service delivery.
A home for Indigenous voices in urban communities
Located in urban areas around the province, the 29 member Friendship Centres of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) are not-for-profit and charitable organizations mandated to support all urban Indigenous Peoples, regardless of status. In collaboration with local governments, non-profits, and private partners, Friendship Centres provide comprehensive support that lifts people up in a way that respects the fullness of their personal experience and Indigenous traditional ways of knowing and being.
“The great thing about a Friendship Centre is that you can come in as a person with one particular challenge and leave as part of a community, " says Jennifer Dockstader, Executive Director of the Fort Erie
Native Friendship Centre and President of OFIFC. “We’ll form a relationship with you and stay with you through all the cycles of your life. And while you’re at it, you’ll be connecting with Indigenous culture and Indigenous language.”
Celebrating Indigenous motherhood and building generational resilience Motherhood is a critical opportunity for Indigenous women and families to become resilient and to break the cycle of intergenerational colonial trauma rooted in the legacy of residential schools and the '60s and millennial scoop. In response to identified community needs, Friendship Centres came together to
develop Urban Indigenous Homeward Bound, a Friendship Centre program that helps sole-parent Indigenous mothers to secure housing, access post-secondary education, receive childcare supports, access cultural supports, and obtain employment, improving their families’ prosperity.
“It's a very empowering program and you can see the significant changes in these women over a period of four years,” says Cheryl Edwards, Executive Director of Dryden Native Friendship Centre.
Growing solutions and extending program reach
The success of the program has been emulated at seven Friendship Centres across the province. Graduates have gone on to achieve independent careers including as nurses, social workers, chefs, and community leaders, while remaining rooted in a supportive community.
As a pilot project, the Urban Indigenous Homeward Bound program must find sustainable funding and support. The Friendship Centres have no shortage of ideas about how to build upon its proven success but need to have adequate resources. It’s up to all of us to ensure that Ontario’s Friendship Centres have the support they need to continue providing Indigenous communities with informed solutions for urban Indigenous Peoples.
Meridian Credit Union (Meridian) is dedicated to understanding Indigenous perspectives by listening, reflecting and enacting change in areas of need. Through actor, activist and Meridian Member, Nadia George, Meridian learned about and now supports the charitable organization Water First Education and Training Inc. (Water First).
Nadia's involvement with Water First charity
Nadia's interest in being a volunteer ambassador for Water First came from her heart. After losing her father to the lack of access to clean drinking water, she knew she had to use her agency to expose the harm and neglect Indigenous communities experience. She chose to advocate for Water First because of their collaborative approach to working with Indigenous communities. Nadia respected that they took the time to sit with Elders and Knowledge Keepers to develop a tailored plan that educates Indigenous youth.
Water First's focus on educating youth is part of developing long-term solutions to the water crisis that gives back autonomy to Indigenous communities and allows them to control their resources. Water science education is important because infrastructure alone does not provide the solution to clean water. It's the understanding of how to maintain these systems without dependence on
external bodies that make the real impact.
Reconnecting with her roots as an urban Indigenous person Nadia acknowledges the privileges that come with being an urban Indigenous person and that she is still reconnecting to her Indigenous lineage removed through colonial history. Her activism always starts with asking what is needed from Indigenous Leaders, Elders and Knowledge Keepers. An Elder once said to her, “It takes a lot of courage to stand up and speak, but it takes a lot more to sit down and listen.”
it's a struggle for the community to take care of their physical health and environment. Due to this, Indigenous Peoples are more likely to experience severe mental health issues. Advocating for mental health support is another area Nadia speaks frequently about and she encourages everyone to acknowledge how these issues are interconnected.
Nadia's next steps as an activist Nadia's next step as an activist is building on her existing work by continuing to reconnect with her roots and creating more opportunities for Indigenous Peoples.
Her activism is proof that Indigenous representation matters in mainstream media. Had she not used her platform to share the interest of Water First, Meridian may not have come across this initiative as soon as they did. With that, the onus to create space for Indigenous Peoples are on non-Indigenous people with the most privilege. Non-Indigenous people must respectfully seek Indigenous knowledge, reflect on history, listen to what is needed, and act accordingly.
Meridian's commitment to Indigenous voices
Nadia discussed how the water crisis also contributes to the deterioration of mental health within the Indigenous community.
“The land gives us purpose and it should be respected,” says Nadia. With the lack of resources and ongoing threats to Indigenous land,
Meridian is proud to support the well-being and success of Indigenous Peoples through various community organizations like Water First. They are inspired by the fearless activism of Nadia George and are honoured to provide an outlet to amplify her voice.
learn more about how investing in communities is a foundational part of Meridian’s identity, visit meridiancu.ca/ about-meridian/ community
At Friendship Centres, Indigenous sole-parent mothers are being empowered to choose their own path.Support Urban Indigenous Homeward Bound and your local Friendship Centre and encourage Canadian politicians to support Indigenous-led priorities. Find out how at ofifc.org This article was sponsored by OFIFC Urban Indigenous Homeward Bound participants Catrina Mitchell (left) and Patty Sunday from the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre in Peterborough are benefitting from the program’s wrap-around services centered in Indigenous culture.
The great thing about a Friendship Centre is that you can come in as a person with one particular challenge and leave as part of a community.Cheryl Edwards Executive Director, Dryden Native Friendship Centre Jennifer Dockstader Executive Director, Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre & President, OFIFC
Taking Action Inspired by Indigenous Activist — Nadia GeorgePHOTO COURTESY OF NADIA GEORGE
It takes a lot of courage to stand up and speak, but it takes a lot more to sit down and listen.
Sephora Canada Builds Upon Its Partnerships to Support Indigenous Communities
For Sephora Canada, Indigenous allyship is a year-round commitment. This June, the retailer is proud to partner with Cheekbone Beauty on a campaign aimed at raising awareness of the ongoing water crisis in Indigenous communities in Canada.
As part of the initiative, throughout the month of June, Sephora Canada will donate all proceeds from the sales of Cheekbone Beauty products to Water First, a charitable organization supporting Indigenous communities to address the ongoing water crisis.
Indigenous communities deserve clean, safe drinking water
According to Water First, as of January 2022, approximately one in six First Nation communities in Canada were affected by drinking water advisories. These numbers include both short-term and long-term boil water advisories as well as do-not-consume advisories. Given the seriousness of this issue and that Water First focuses on addressing these water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada, Sephora Canada and Cheekbone Beauty chose it as an impactful organization to support during a month meant to raise awareness around and to support Indigenous issues.
Sephora Canada and Cheekbone Beauty making change together
Sephora Canada’s partnership with Cheekbone Beauty began in 2021, when the beauty brand became the retailer’s first
Indigenous-owned brand, launching first on sephora.ca and has since rolled out to increasingly more stores across Canada.
“One of the main things that inspired me to create Cheekbone Beauty was the lack of representation in the beauty space,” says Jenn Harper, Cheekbone Beauty’s founder and CEO. “I wanted to create a brand that highlighted Indigenous faces and gave back to the community.”
Cheekbone Beauty weaves together concepts of Indigenous wisdom with Western science to create high-quality, sustainable products.
“In Indigenous culture, success is not defined by one person’s accomplishments but by what a person does for their community,” says Harper.
“That’s why we’ve taken the initiative to become a B Corp and to contribute to organizations that give back to Indigenous youth and community.”
Indigenous allyship is an ongoing journey Sephora Canada shares a similar vision of contributing to local communities and advancing its Indigenous allyship.
“Central to Indigenous allyship is partnership,” says Debbie McDowell, Direc-
tor of Communications and Social Impact at Sephora Canada. “As part of our diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) journey, we’re continuously working to establish meaningful partnerships with local nonprofit and charitable organizations.”
This latest initiative with Cheekbone Beauty and Water First is just one in a string of many designed to increase Indigenous representation and support Indigenous communities. Other external partners for the retailer include the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) and Indspire. Both partner groups have been featured charities of the retailer’s Beauty Insider Charity Rewards program, with their partnerships continuing to extend beyond that program. Internally, the retailer also recently established an Indigenous Sephora employee resource group made up of both Indigenous community members and allies who are passionate about driving organizational and community changes.
“It’s important that we lean into our partners’ knowledge, expertise, and guidance while using our voice and platform to help bring awareness to the work that they're doing for many marginalized community groups,” says McDowell.
“Our journey and work will never end, but it's our hope that people will see the commitment and purposeful actions
Sephora is taking in the hopes of driving diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.”
As part of our diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) journey, we’re continuously working to establish meaningful partnerships with local non-profit and charitable organizations.Tania Amardeil Sephora Canada continues its Indigenous allyship journey in partnership with Cheekbone Beauty, creating impact in communities with Water First initiative. Visit sephora.ca/ cheekbone to shop Cheekbone Beauty and support Indigenous communities. This article was sponsored by Sephora Canada
I wanted to create a brand that highlighted Indigenous faces and gave back to the community.
Beauty in the Beads: Radical Bead Artists From Indigenous Communities Take Centre Stage
D.F. McCourtArt is culture, and in this age of reconciliation, reclaiming and honouring Indigenous Peoples in Canada means also elevating art from Indigenous communities. Art continues to evolve, and art from Indigenous Peoples has a lot to teach all Canadians about our past, our present, and our future. In Regina, Saskatchewan, the doors of the MacKenzie Art Gallery are welcoming visitors, not only to appreciate their considerable permanent collection of art from the Indigenous community, but also to experience for a limited time the most significant exhibition of contemporary beading in North America.
The exhibition is called Radical Stitch, and it brings together celebrated and innovative beading artists from all corners of the continent. “There are over two dozen nations represented among the 48 artists and multiple types of media,” says John Hampton, Executive Director and CEO of the MacKenzie Art Gallery. “The curators are trying to represent multiple directions in beading, looking at having representation from across Turtle Island. There's a breadth that's seen in the work of these artists from the Arctic to the Atlantic provinces and down to New Mexico. It's both traditional and contemporary. You'll see Jamie Okuma’s beaded Giuseppe Zanotti heels fit for the runway and you’ll see Lizzie Ittinuar’s Inuit women's parkas with features designed for life in the Arctic. Beading is always evolving and there's convergence between customary (or traditional) knowledge and new dialogues in contemporary art.”
Stitching many voices into one song Further artists being featured in the exhibition include Catherine Blackburn (recently featured in Vogue magazine for her incredible modern beaded fashion design), Nico Williams (who made waves last year with a remarkable exhibition featuring stunning beaded replicas of everyday objects like shopping bags and washcloths), and Dana Claxton (celebrated interdisciplinary artist and Governor General’s Award winner who has been challenging Canadian minds for three decades).
“Each artist is coming forward with their own traditions and
interpreting them in their own interesting way,” says Stuart Keeler, Senior Curator of the TD Art and Corporate Heritage Collections. “The works within the exhibition are the combination of ancestral knowledge and contemporary art practices. It's an examination and investigation of traditional forms of expression within a contemporary art lens. There are many different viewpoints that can come forward and the authenticity of the artist becomes the vehicle for a conversation about social change and how to build an inclusive tomorrow. ”
helping to empower Indigenous Peoples and their voices plays out not only through the bank’s com mitment to its support of the arts, but throughout the organization.
“TD is committed to amplify and celebrate diverse voices from all backgrounds, including Indigenous Peoples,” says Doris Bear, VP of Indigenous Banking at TD.
“Internally, we host events throughout the year to recognize Indigenous Peoples. These events are designed to collect ively build awareness of the unique histories, cultures, contributions, and achievements of Indigenous Peoples while reflecting on Canada's history and presentday truths.”
Through their TD Ready Commitment, TD is a sponsor for the Radical Stitch exhibition. TD has itself maintained a collection of art from the Indigenous community since 1965, and Keeler emphasizes that supporting Indigenous Peoples and their transformative art projects like this one is an easy decision for the bank. “TD is committed to supporting and furthering Truth and Reconciliation,” says Keeler. “Through the TD Ready Commitment, the bank’s corporate citizenship platform, TD is interested in supporting programs that promote financial education, increase opportunities for youth, steward the environment, and help preserve and celebrate the arts and culture of Indigenous Peoples, in addition to broader arts and culture across Canada. We're always looking for ways to authentically engage, to open conversation, and also to learn. Art is a really interesting platform because it does create that conversation. We learn about lived experiences through the artist and we're able to talk about complex issues with art as the catalyst for the dialogue.”
An evolving vision for a changing world This philosophy of opening conversation and
As TD continues to expand its outreach in providing banking and support to people in both urban and remote Indigenous communities, Bear sees the elevation of the arts through exhibitions like Radical Stitch as an integral part of the larger mission. “This is one of many ways TD supports Truth and Reconciliation,” says Bear. “It's important that we support Indigenous Peoples and that we walk together to pave the way for future generations. We can provide this support by giving them a platform to share their art and their lived experiences.”
Meaning and beauty
There's no doubt that Radical Stitch is an important and powerful statement in the ongoing dialogue of Canada’s cultural evolution. It's a bold show at a moment that's primed for a new understanding of Indigenous Peoples, their culture, and a contemporary experience through an artistic lens. At the same time, however, it should be emphasized that this is also an opportunity for sheer delight in the vibrancy and beauty of art in Canada.
“The guiding principle that the curators used is that they wanted to show excellence, to show pieces that demonstrate the immense skill and beauty, as well as the depth, of the practice of beading,” says Hampton. “TD's involvement was critical in realizing that vision and scope. And there's something in here that will speak to every audience. No matter the level of your awareness of art or of beading, you'll be able to see the beauty here and to find something
interest.”
that will spark yourThrough the living medium of beading, TD Sponsored exhibition Radical Stitch features artists from Indigenous communities exploring the convergence of the traditional and the contemporary. Radical Stitch is now showing at the MacKenzie until August 28, with plans to tour the exhibit thereafter. This article was sponsored by TD Bank
There are many different viewpoints that can come forward and the authenticity of the artist becomes the vehicle for a conversation about social change and how to build an inclusive tomorrow.Stuart Keeler Senior Curator, TD Art & Corporate Heritage Collections Doris Bear VP of Indigenous Banking, TD John Hampton Executive Director & CEO, MacKenzie Art Gallery
University of Windsor: Welcoming and Supportive of Indigenous Student Needs
In January 2022, Dr. Beverley Jacobs stepped out of her role as Associate Dean (Academic) in the Faculty of Law to become Senior Advisor to the President on Indigenous Relations and Outreach at the University of Windsor.
In her new role, Dr. Jacobs is working with the University of Windsor’s governance and executive leadership to embed Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into the university’s culture. She’s also looking to enhance supports and services for Indigenous students and helping guide the development of the university’s new Indigenous spaces on campus.
“This is a huge step that the University of Windsor has taken toward reconciliation,” says Dr. Jacobs. “The university leadership and the faculties are on board and moving quickly and thoughtfully with Indigenizing and decolonizing the institution.”
More ways than ever to provide sense of community to Indigenous students This means providing Indigenous students coming from their homes, families, and territories with a sense of cultural safety and community on a more just, welcoming, and equitable campus. “A lot of these students are young parents or older, mature students with families, so we want to make sure they have all the supports and services they need to be successful during their time here,” says Dr. Jacobs.
The Aboriginal Education Centre — Turtle Island at the University of Windsor, for example, holds various student alliance activities, promoting Indigenous culture on campus and educating non-Indigenous students on who they are. “We also
recently hired an Indigenous Enrolment Advisor whose job is to ensure that Indigenous learners are looked after throughout their enrolment journey, providing a personal touch from the point of introduction to the University of Windsor through the enrolment process, and making sure they have access to supports they may need right through to graduation,” says Dr. Jacobs.
Integrating Indigenization into curriculum
In keeping with the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and the Universities Canada principles on Indigen-
ous education, the University of Windsor hired five faculty members who self-identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit in 2017. This is known as the President’s Indigenous Peoples Scholars program. One of the program’s mandates is to enhance Indigenous educational leadership at the university and foster greater intercultural engagement among Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, faculty, and staff. “Working together, they helped to create a minor in Indigenous Studies, which is open to all interested students,” says Dr. Jacobs.
There's a wide range of financial awards, including several internal scholarships and bursaries open to University of Windsor Indigenous students. “Given that Detroit is right across the river from us, we’ve also recently started working with some U.S. universities to establish scholarships for Indigenous students who live in the U.S. and wish to study here,” says Dr. Jacobs.
Finally, new buildings for the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Law, plus a new sports and recreation complex, are all incorporating Indigenous protocols and teachings into the buildings' designs and features. “This will help further enhance the sense of community for our Indigenous students during their educational pursuits at the University of Windsor,” says Dr. Jacobs.
Exploring CN’s Commitment to Indigenous Hiring
CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade-enabler headquartered in Montreal, Que., that serves North America and connects Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. South. Just as its rails traverse thousands of kilometres and countless diverse communities, CN espouses a corporate culture that prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The company is continuously looking for ways to build a culture that’s welcoming to all.
A commitment to DEI and First Nations “Diversity is about aspiring to do the right thing,” says Vanessa James, HR Business Partner at CN and an Ojibway from Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba. “I believe that industry, businesses, and government have an economic and social responsibility to be committed to DEI in general and to be part of specific Indigenous reconciliation efforts.”
Last year, CN established an Indigenous Advisory Council (“IAC”), an independent body comprised of Indigenous Peoples’ representatives from across the country chaired by Ms. Roberta Louise Jamieson, OC, Kanyen'kehà:ka and the Honourable Murray Sinclair, Mizanay (Mizhana) Gheezhik.
The Council’s mandate is to provide advice to the members of CN’s Board and President and Chief Executive Officer on issues that are relevant to CN and its relationship with the over 200 Indigenous communities in which CN operates. The goals of the IAC include
reinforcing diversity and inclusion through policies and procedures that reflect these values, as well as fostering meaningful and long-lasting relationships between the railway and Indigenous peoples.
A focus on hiring Indigenous Peoples “Our network operates across North America, including in a lot of remote communities, many of which are First Nations-owned lands,” says Trevor Pilatzke, Transportation Manager at CN and a member of Rainy River First Nations in Ontario. “We understand that there’s societal impact to be had and also a stewardship, essentially, that we are part of these communities.”
CN has eight employee resource groups to support and engage its employees, including one for Indigenous Peoples. It also strives to include Indigenous perspectives, knowledge, and experience in its recruitment and retention strategies. To facilitate this, CN has worked with AMIK, a professional Indigenous engage-
ment services company, for a decade, as well as with Indigenous Link for Indigenous sourcing and community engagement activities.
"AMIK has been a proud partner of CN on a variety of reconciliatory initiatives such as cultural awareness training, job postings, recruitment and retention, and community engagement projects,” says EJ Fontaine, AMIK’s co-founder. “Our mutually-beneficial relationship is producing innovative approaches in the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #92 and has been a huge driver of change that promotes the socioeconomic progression of Indigenous Peoples across Canada."
A wide variety of opportunities
“We’re working closely with Indigenous communities to bring forth initiatives for employment and positive societal impacts,” says Pilatzke. “We hire about 2,000 individuals yearly and we’re looking for people who have a safety mindset and are interested in rewarding and innovative roles which contribute to delivering for our customers, supporting the economy and building a sustainable future.” Pilatzke notes that career opportunities at CN range from conductors and engineers to corporate managers and IT professionals, and applicants only need a high school degree to get their foot in the door for many of the careers offered.
CN welcomes and values Indigenous candidates and has many exciting opportunities available.
CN has many job opportunities available — and its focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion means that opportunities areavailable for all.
We’re working closely with Indigenous communities to bring forth initiatives for employment and positive societal impacts.Trevor Pilatzke, Transportation Manager, CN & Member of Rainy River First Nations, Ontario Vanessa James HR Business Partner, CN & Member of Sagkeeng First Nation Anne Papmehl When it comes to creating community and cultural safety for Indigenous students, the University of Windsor is leading the way. Visit uwindsor.ca/ indigenouspeoples to learn more about the University of Windsor’s Indigenous supports, Peoples, and initiatives. This article was sponsored by the University of Windsor
A lot of these students are young parents or older, mature students with families, so we want to make sure they have all the supports and services they need to be successful during their time here.Dr. Beverley Jacobs Senior Advisor to the President on Indigenous Relations & Outreach, University of Windsor The University of Windsor honours Indigenous culture, knowledge, and ways of being through various events and initiatives on campus and in the surrounding communities. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR
Indigenous entrepreneurs are building incredible businesses in a good way, connected with Indigenous values and culture, to preserve the land and make life better for our communities.
Each year, I have the privilege of meeting thousands of Indigenous entrepreneurs through Pow Wow Pitch, a pitch competition
for Indigenous businesses to get noticed, get funding, and grow with the support of a safe and values-driven community.
This National Indigenous History Month, I'm excited to partner with Mediaplanet to put the spotlight on three incredible Indigenous-owned businesses and to share their advice for emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs.
“Trust in yourself and trust in the unknown. Be okay in the unknown and know that the path will unfold as you walk it.”
Bernice Clark is an Inuk founder from South Baffin Island living in Iqaluit, Nunavut, who is a role model and inspiration for other Inuit. Uasau (pronounced ooh-ah-sow) Soap draws inspiration from prehistoric Inuit tradition and the Nuna. In Inuktitut, Nuna means everything found on the land and in the sea. Each of Uasau Soap's handmade products replenishes and nourishes your skin.
“Don’t be afraid to reach out for support. Indigenous entrepreneurs are happy to help you along the way and answer any questions. We need more Indigenous businesses, so get your business started today.”
Harlan Kingfisher is a husband, a dad of four, Plains Cree, a hockey player from Sturgeon Lake, and the founder of Smudge the Blades, a hockey apparel brand that brings laughter and pride to his community and provides hockey scholarships to Indigenous youth.
Actua improves the educational outcome of Indigenous youth through for-credit, land-based education and by expanding opportunities for educators to learn.
Actua is on a mission to improve access to inclusive STEM education for youth nationwide. Four years ago, Actua expanded on its existing Indigenous Youth in STEM (InSTEM) program for youth aged 14 to 18 with a for-credit program designed for Indigenous high school youth. The program provides culturallyrelevant, for-credit learning opportunities for Indigenous youth by drawing parallels between Indigenous land-based teachings and STEM, recognizing that Indigenous Peoples have always known about STEM.
Granting high school credits for landbased education
Indigenous knowledge and worldviews are at the core of western science. This principle governs Actua’s program, which grants high school credits to youth after completing a 10-day land camp. This model builds on Actua’s decades-long relationships with Indigenous communities nationally and allows for collaborative, co-created learning spaces. These relationships enable Actua to provide tailored programming that meets the unique cultural and educational priorities of the community engaged.
Actua’s land camps are led by Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and Elders who ensure content is grounded in the communities’ cultural and educational priorities. By administering
high school credits to participants, Actua contributes to improved graduation rates among Indigenous youth.
Introducing land-based education to teaching professionals
In addition, Actua offers a teacher training program that helps educators learn how to incorporate Indigenous land-based knowledge into their classroom. This four-day training allows teachers to learn directly from Knowledge Keepers and STEM practitioners, offering an enhanced perspective to advance reconciliation in western education and reaffirm that Indigenous knowledge plays a key role in the study of sciences.
This July, Actua will deliver its InSTEM teacher training program with one of its network members, Virtual Ventures at Carleton University, as part of a for-credit land camp during an InSTEM summit in Akwesasne First Nation. The summit will feature Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers from four cultural backgrounds: Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, Blackfoot, and Cree. The summit will welcome 25 Indigenous high-school youth and 20 teachers. Participating teachers will receive Actua’s InSTEM Teacher Training microcredential and youth will receive a high school credit.
Actua’s network annually engages 35,000 Indigenous youth across 200 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities in culturally-relevant STEM experiences that allow participants to recognize and celebrate their existing cultural knowledge as Indigenous Peoples. Its decades-long work has resulted in systemic impact through expanded Indigenous curriculum, improved educational outcomes for Indigenous youth, and the growing recognition that Indigenous knowledge is equal to and often forms the basis of what we today call STEM.
“Don’t be shy. Set goals. Sell something you love. And have a support team.”
The creator behind Kokom Scrunchies, Mya Beaudry, is a talented 11-year-old Algonquin from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation. Since starting Kokom Scrunchies in the fall of 2019, Mya has always ensured that all Kokom Scrunchies are handmade with love in Canada.
Indigenous Peoples are clear on what they want to achieve: sustainable prosperity.
Indigenous Nations have remained steadfast in ensuring that the land and water are protected for future generations. Where there have been conversations about engaging with industry to develop resources in their territories, communities have been clear that the approaches and processes need to prioritize environmental sustainability. Alongside that, they're clear that developments are to ensure the future growth of their Nations over time and, most importantly, on their own terms.
For over a decade, Shared Value Solutions has worked alongside partner communities toward their goal of economic prosperity without compromising their commitment to environmental stewardship. We offer a range of environmental technical services, regulatory and negotiation support, social research, knowledge gathering, community, and land use planning — always in alignment with a Nation’s vision and values. We work side by side with communities to challenge existing processes and structures that have, for far too long, held Indigenous Nations back from achieving their goals of sustainable prosperity.
Where industry has historically kept business purely transactional, we've been working with Indigenous Nations to drive toward a new type of partnership — one that is dynamic and puts Indigenous environmental, social, and governance considerations at the heart of a project and throughout all aspects of the relationship. Because sustainability is the pathway to prosperity for everyone — Indigenous Nations and Canada, alike.
Strong Community Values Make for Strong Corporate Partnerships in the Six Nations
On the banks of the Grand River in Southern Ontario, nestled between Hamilton and Brantford, an increasingly urban Indigenous community has thrived for a quarter of a millennium. Historically a hunting ground for Peoples of the Haudenosaunee confederacy, the land now occupied by the Six Nations of the Grand River became a permanent settlement during the American Revolutionary War when those nations organized and fought alongside British soldiers under Mohawk leader Joseph Brant, the man who gave Brantford its name.
Today, this ancestral hunting ground is an integral part of the economic powerhouse that is Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe, but it also remains home to over 12,000 on-reserve band members seeking to make a modern Canadian living.
Building a prosperous future, protecting a proud history In the era of Truth and Reconciliation, the question of how the Six Nations can drive economic prosperity on their lands without sacrificing their independence, their legacy, and their community values is an essential and multifaceted one. Enter the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC).
“In 2015, we launched SNGRDC as a means to separate business from politics,” explains SNGRDC Public Relations Specialist Alysha Filer. “We invest in projects and build partnerships with businesses like OPG, Pattern Energy, and Samsung. So far, we've been putting together clean energy projects, such as wind farms and solar farms, as well as other projects. With the revenue that comes from these projects, we redistribute the surplus profits back into the community.”
SNGRDC gains an independence of operation and a persistence of strategy through
political cycles by working at arm’s length from the Elected Council, but it remains intrinsically connected to the will of the people. “Because our community is so different, with very strong beliefs, we’re not set up the same as other cities,” says Six Nations Manager of Tourism and Community Development Jaquie Jamieson. “It's very important to abide by what the community wants and if it’s not something the community wants, the community will let us know. As a result, SNGRDC has a lot of core fundamental values. We’re always looking at what a project is going to bring to the community and what kind of input we'll be able to have.”
Responsible economic development driven by community values
A strong local belief in sustainability and environmental stewardship, for example, drove SNGRDC’s early focus on renewable energy projects and Indigenous tourism. Through this strong foundation, SNGRDC has established relationships and created space to widen their portfolio. There's also an emphasis on corporate citizenship within the community, with programs such as Community Collaborators encouraging partners to sup -
port community-driven causes and activities. Particular value is placed on employment, training, and career opportunities on Six Nations lands, providing prosperity, a living wage, and economic mobility for local band members and bringing critical Indigenous talent that may have moved off-reserve back home.
In accordance with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Call to Action, corporations of all sizes across Canada are reevaluating their relationships with Indigenous communities, and SNGRDC’s model provides a clear case for mutual prosperity and responsible development. As they work towards their target of $150 million in annual direct economic impact by 2030, SNGRDC is putting out the call for businesses to put their money where their heart is. But, with centuries of experience behind them and a long view on success, they aren’t going to compromise their values to get there.
“It’s all about quality and the aligning of values,” says Filer. “We're not looking for speedy partnerships. We’re looking for the right partnerships.”
Fleming College’s investment in Indigenous services and education After receiving a diploma in ECE from Fleming College and working in childcare for 15 years, Wynne decided to go back to school for RLS. She chose Fleming College to pursue both of her diplomas because of their investment in services for Indigenous students and the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives in academics. She was impressed by their culturally-friendly programs and their commitment to fostering a sense of belonging by having Elders and Knowledge Keepers available to students for educational and emotional support; this included events like sacred fires and traditional ceremonies.
Wynne also took Fleming's Aboriginal History classes, where she first learnt about the history of residential schools. This encouraged her to take more of their Indigenous Perspectives courses and fuelled her commitment to advocate for systemic change in the education sector.
As urban Indigenous Peoples are actively discriminated against and marginalized in academic institutions, Wynne appreciated the efforts of Fleming College to address these con-
cerns and co-create a nurturing environment with Indigenous communities.
Incorporating Indigenous knowledge in ECE
Wynne began homeschooling her children at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to create better learning opportunities and address the barriers her children with neurodivergent learning styles faced in online education. She then started to teach the Anishinaabemowin and to incorporate land-based knowledge in their lessons — for example, playing counting games with rocks and sticks in Ojibwe.
After homeschooling her children for some time, Wynne became a community resource for families who had children struggling with online learning. She leaned on her knowledge
from the ECE program to be flexible with lesson planning and to structure routines based on children’s needs, abilities, and emotions. The RLS program supported her with the business aspects of starting her business. Both diplomas enabled the success of Sage and Sunshine, which is nearing its two-year milestone.
Accessing Indigenous cultural knowledge and language at a young age in an urban setting is a monumental achievement for Indigenous Peoples. Establishing and recognizing their languages, history, and heritage in the western education system is one of many steps toward systemic reconciliation.
Indigenous perspective designation at Fleming College Fleming College continues to invest in expanding access to Indigenous education by offering an Indigenous Perspective Designation (IPD) in over 36 different programs, including the ECE and the RLS programs. This designation allows students of all backgrounds to learn Indigenous perspectives and knowledge by including content in vocational courses respectfully as well as giving students the opportunity to attend Indigenous events and initiatives.
Indigenous knowledge benefits children by teaching through story-telling and connecting education to the land. IPD intends to expand opportunities for Fleming students to learn these practices and encourage the incorporation of them into standard academic systems.
To learn more, visit flemingcollege.ca/ programs/ indigenousperspectivesdesignation
Introducing Culture-Based Learning to Early Childhood EducationPHOTO COURTESY OF FLEMING COLLEGE
Wynne was impressed by their culturally-friendly programs and their commitment to fostering a sense of belonging by having Elders and Knowledge Keepers available to students for educational and emotional support.Families enjoy camping, day trips and cultural activities at Chiefswood Park. The park has become a tourist destination and continues to build their programming.
A Path to Reconciliation: What Is Métis Self-Government and Why It Matters
The Métis are one of the three “I ndigenous Peoples of Canada” but to this day, many Canadians are unaware of the history of the Métis Nation, Métis communities, and what it really means to be Métis.
Though the word “Métis” originally derived from the word for “mixed,” simply having an Indigenous ancestor does not make a person Métis. The Métis are a distinct Indigenous People with a unique culture, language, and history, which form the core of their identity as a people separate from their First Nations and European ancestors.
Distinct Métis communities emerged in areas surrounding the Upper Great Lakes and along the waterways and fur trade routes of what is now known as Ontario before the Crown effected legal and political control in those regions.
These historic Métis communities developed their own shared customs, traditions, and collective identities that are rooted in kinship, their special relationship to the land, and a distinctive Indigenous culture and way of life that persists to this day.
Despite the Métis being recognized by other Indigenous Peoples and by British andCanadian authorities as a distinct people, the law and federal policies long remained blind to the unique history and circumstances of the Métis — including refusing to recognize Métis rights, governments, or claims. This refusal caused the Métis to become known as “the forgotten people” and forced them into a legal void in Canadian law.
In 1982, after generations of fighting for recognition and justice, the existing Aboriginal and Treaty Rights of Aboriginal Peoples received constitutional protection under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. The Métis are one of the three distinct Aboriginal Peoples recognized in Section 35, which states: “The existing Aboriginal and treaty rights of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada are hereby recognized and affirmed. In this Act, ‘Aboriginal peoples of Canada’ includes the First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada. This constitutional protection was a victory for all Indigenous peoples in Canada.”
For the Métis, their explicit inclusion in Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 was viewed as a new chapter following more than a century of denial and neglect by governments in Canada. But the promise of this recognition remained largely unfilled until recently. Successive Canadian governments took the position that the Métis had no existing Constitutional Aboriginal rights and refused to negotiate or deal with the Métis people.
The Hunt for Justice and the Powley decision – the Métis bring the fight to the courts
Beginning in the early 1990s, in the face of continued denial by federal and provincial governments of their rights, Métis governments from Ontario westward began what they termed the Hunt for Justice as a way of breathing life into the constitutional commitment made to the Métis in 1982. Métis leadership took active steps to defend their citizens and their rights in the courts.
The Hunt for Justice would see the Métis fight for their rights all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada in R v. Powley. This landmark case, which was advanced by the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) and supported by all Métis governments, which together made up the Métis National Council, would affirm Métis' Section 35 rights.
MNO citizens, established in 1993 through the will of Métis people and Métis communities in Ontario.
Prior to 1993, Métis in Ontario had been involved in pan-Aboriginal lobby groups and organizations. The MNO was not created to represent all individuals and communities that claim to be Métis, but only those individuals and communities that are a part of the Métis Nation and Section 35 rights-holding Métis commun ities in Ontario.
Over the last 30 years, the MNO has established democratic institutions based on the inherent right of self-government. In 2015, the MNO and the federal government worked on a government-to-government basis to discuss how the two governments would work together.
This process resulted in a series of historic agreements between the MNO and Canada, which culminated in 2019, with the precedent-setting Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreement (MGRSA) — the first Métis self-government agreement in Canadian history. Similar agreements were signed with the Métis Nation of Alberta and Métis Nation - Saskatchewan.
In 1993, Steve and Roddy Powley killed a moose outside of Sault Ste. Marie to feed their family over the winter. But they were charged by Ontario Conservation Officers as contravening Ontario’s Game and Fish Act.
The MNO intervened to support the Powleys, from the original trial all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada, which recognized, in 2003, that “the Métis community in and around Sault Ste. Marie have an Aboriginal right to hunt for food under S. 35(1)”. The Powley case was the first — and remains the only — Supreme Court of Canada decision that confirms the existence of a Métis community within Canada with established Aboriginal rights protected by Section 35. The Powley case is foundational to the recognition of Métis rights and led to the establishment of objectively verifiable Métis government registries from Ontario westward, as well as the ongoing negotiations with Métis on matters including harvesting, consultation, and self-government.
The Métis Nation of Ontario –Self-government and the path forward The MNO is the democratically-elected government representing 29,000 registered
The MGRSA’s overall purpose is to support and advance the inherent right of self-determination and self-government of the Métis communities represented by the MNO. It's an important first step in reconciliation for the Métis, but there's still much work to be done. That legal void still exists for resolving outstanding Métis claims: First Nations can access federal funding to research claims, negotiate with Canada, or go to the Specific Claims Tribunal to seek a resolution, however Métis are still excluded from this process.
But at least when it comes to advancing Métis self-determination and self-government, the path forward is clear.
On June 21, 2021, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) Act received Royal Assent and came into force, stating: “Indigenous peoples, in exercising their right to self-determination, have the right to autonomy or self-government in matters relating to their internal and local affairs, as well as ways and means for financing their autonomous functions.”
The MGRSA is the MNO’s chosen path forward on self-government and self-determination consistent with UNDRIP.
The MNO, which proudly represents rights-bearing Métis in Ontario, is walking this historic path to full Métis self-government in Ontario, realizing its Métis ancestors’ dreams for the betterment of its citizens and communities.
The Métis are a distinct Indigenous People with a unique culture, language, and history, which form the core of their identity as a people separate from their First Nations and European ancestors.PHOTO CREDIT: ??? Steve Powley at the Supreme Court of Canada, 2003 On June 27, 2019, the Métis governments of Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan signed historic Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreements (MGRSAs) with Canada MNO President Margaret Froh at Louis Riel Day c ceremonies at the Ontario Legislature PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MÉTIS NATION OF ONTARIO
Walking the path of Reconciliation, together.
TELUS is committed to progressing the path of Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples through concrete and meaningful action. Today, we proudly welcome the inaugural Indigenous Advisory Council. These experienced Indigenous leaders will provide advice and guidance on the implementation of TELUS’ Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan commitments, guided by four pillars: Connectivity, Enabling Social Outcomes, Cultural Responsiveness and Relationships, and Economic Reconciliation.
