Indigenous Communities
Call to Action #92
The Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s report lists 94 Calls to Action that government, educational institutions, regulating bodies, religious institutions, and the business community can take “to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation” with Indigenous peoples, with Call to Action #92 setting out specific recommendations for the corporate sector.
At Beutel Goodman, we are dedicated to answering the call to action through a number of initiatives.
Call to Action #92(i): Commit to meaningful consultation, building respectful relationships, and obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous peoples before proceeding with economic development projects.
- As founding members of the National Aboriginal Trust Officers Association (NATOA), we have contributed to Indigenous investment and trust management workshops as speakers and sponsors for many years.
- We have delivered education sessions to Chief, Council, Trustees and Members/Citizens on investment basics.
- We are corporate members of the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Canada (AFOA).
- In early 2024, we became a Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) Committed company and started our journey of tracking and managing our Indigenous relations strategies. This represents our commitment to continual improvement in Indigenous relations and to working across cultures.
Call to Action #92(ii): 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.
- We are proud co‐sponsors of an Aboriginal scholarship awarded each year to support Aboriginal students studying at the University of Toronto in the Faculty of Social Work.
Call to Action #92(iii): Provide education for management and staff on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.
- As part of our response to Call to Action #92(iii), Beutel Goodman has begun an educational journey. In 2021, our employee-led Social Committee embarked on a multi-year initiative to help educate Beutel Goodman employees about Indigenous history as well as the impact of colonialism and the residential school system.
- In June 2021, Kenn Richard, MSW, MSC, the founder of Native Child and Family Services of Toronto and Director of Indigenous Spirit Fund, provided Beutel Goodman employees with a 30,000-foot view of Indigenous history and issues.
- In November 2021, Woodland Cultural Centre hosted a virtual tour of the Mohawk Institute Residential School, an event that was widely attended by Beutel Goodman staff.
- On June 21, 2022, Maurice Switzer, a citizen of the Mississaugas of Alderville First Nation in southern Ontario and author of We are all Treaty People, hosted a virtual lunch-and-learn event with employees – and clients – about the History and Current Status of Treaties.
- On June 20, 2023, Ernie Daniels, President and CEO, First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA) discussed the creation of FNFA, the challenges and successes of the organization since its formation, as well as his thoughts on some of the Indigenous issues that are important to us all as we work towards truth and reconciliation in Canada. You can find the replay below.
- In addition, we have a long-standing relationship with the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto and we have participated in Indigenous cultural awareness seminars as well as many First Nations ceremonies.
- Other engagements include the Certificates of Achievement for participating in the Indigenous Awareness and Reconciliation Dialogue for Leaders, and participation in the Responsible Investment Association Reconciliation Dialogue Workshop.
Helping Indigenous communities manage their wealth to care for the needs of today, and seven generations forward.
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