Why the entire country should recognize

 “National Day for Truth and Reconciliation”

During my morning scan of news, both local and national, I came across an article written by Bryan Eneass of the CBC News. The article, “National Day for Truth and Reconciliation won’t be a statutory holiday for everyone in Saskatchewan”, contained a quote that captured the very essence of what we at It’s Time For Change have been advocating since we starting building the economic aboriginal inclusion and engagement platform  www.itstimeforchange.ca.

The quote:

“Elders, survivors and members of the Indigenous community have been reaching out to non-Indigenous members about building a better future together, based on truth and reconciliation.”

Call to Action #92 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is, in my opinion, of the utmost importance. As someone who has worked with Indigenous communities, within Indigenous communities, I can give personal witness to the positive impact that takes place for all. Not only does this occur on an individual level, but a community-wide level as well. When non-indigenous business and corporate community engage leadership and the Indigenous community in the pursuit of economic opportunity, opportunities happen.

Recommendation #92 asks the corporate sector and their leadership to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. The Commission calls for meaningful consultation and long-term sustainable opportunities from economic development projects. They also call for non-indigenous managers to receive education, training, and understanding on the history of Indigenous people, intercultural competency, human rights, and anti-racism. 

At It’s Time for Change we have brought forward a tool that speaks to this “Call to Action”.  This tool specifically provides a “gateway” to achieve the kind of engagement the Elders are referencing! Their personal call to further economic growth and prosperity is not only for the Indigenous community but for all of Canada. Our country can and will benefit from a national strategy of inclusion and engagement.

The Indigenous Liaison Officer Initiative addresses one of the points within the Call to Action that no other platform does. We provide an ability for Indigenous people to engage Canada’s Business and Corporate community at the community level.  https://www.itstimeforchange.ca/about-us/liaison-home

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls upon the corporate sector in Canada to:

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.

When our Federal Government implements a statutory holiday is it an unreasonable expectation that in the process of doing so, they should consult with other provinces and territories to make it truly “national”? Where does the conversation get lost? Where does it start and where does it end? 

“Being LOST is not an uncommon feeling for Indigenous people in Canada.” as a leader of one of the First Nations in Western Canada started last week. 

“We have to change or get lost again”

Write your provincial representative, your rural municipal leaders, and insist we make a change, we do something right “together” and dedicate September 30^th to a truly National Day for Reconciliation.

Walter Deagle

Founder of “It’s Time for Change”

Economic Inclusion and Engagement Network