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. This would include, but not be limited to, the following:
- Commit to meaningful consultation, building respectful relationships, and obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous peoples before proceeding with economic development projects.
- 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.
- 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.
Why ”Stalled”?
Business Council of Canada, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Conference Board of Canada, Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) and numerous business associations have all made recommendations or commitments aligned with C2A 92. Very little follow-up activity though especially in response to the number of Indigenous protests across the country in relation to Free, Prior and Informed Consent, Duty to Consult, environmental impacts etc.
“85 percent of Canadian businesses are in no way engaged with Indigenous communities.” A new report commissioned by Indigenous Works and prepared by R.A. Malatest & Associates Ltd.
June 6, 2022: “National Indigenous Economic Strategy: Pathways to Socioeconomic Parity for Indigenous Peoples” identifies 107 Calls to Economic Prosperity across 4 strategic pathways: People, Lands, Infrastructure and Finance – that taken together will eliminate barriers to the full participation of Indigenous people in the Canadian economy.
https://niestrategy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/NIES_English_FullStrategy.pdf
Current Status
Stalled
Call to Action
last updated
November 26, 2024
Latest Updates
Individual Business Initiatives
CN Releases New Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan
NationTalk: MONTREAL (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) today released its first Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan (IRAP), reaffirming its commitment to strengthen ties with Indigenous……
November 26, 2024
Individual Business Initiatives
Hydro One and nine First Nation partners break ground on Waasigan Transmission Line project
CBC Indigenous: Shuniah, ON, – Today, Hydro One Inc. (Hydro One) and nine First Nation partners, joined by municipal leaders, officially broke ground on the……
November 25, 2024
Impact and Benefit Agreements
Permit granted for Cariboo Gold Mine
NationTalk: VICTORIA – A provincial statutory decision-maker has granted Barkerville Gold Mines, owned by Osisko Development Corporation, an operating permit under the Mines Act for……
November 21, 2024
Individual Business Initiatives
Driving inclusive and sustainable economic development: TELUS launches new Indigenous Reconciliation and Connectivity Report
NationTalk: Vancouver, BC – Today, TELUS released its sixth annual Indigenous Reconciliation and Connectivity Report, filled with concrete examples of how its reconciliation actions, in……
November 20, 2024
Indigenous-led Initiatives
First Nations pitch Indigenous-led LNG to the world at COP29
People walk through the COP29 U.N. Climate Summit, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan. Photo: Rafiq Maqbool/AP Photos. APTN News: By Local Journalism Initiative -……
November 18, 2024
Individual Business Initiatives
AtkinsRéalis Receives its First Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations
NationTalk: Calgary, AB: AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear company with offices around the world, has been awarded a bronze-level Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) certification……
November 5, 2024
Individual Business Initiatives
First Mining Signs Process Agreement With Cat Lake First Nation and Lac Seul First Nation Supporting Anishinaabe-Led Impact Assessment
NationTalk: Sioux Lookout, Canada – First Mining Gold Corp. (“First Mining” or the “Company”) (TSX: FF) (OTCQX: FFMGF) (FRANKFURT: FMG) is pleased to announce that……
October 31, 2024
Individual Business Initiatives
Times of ‘Wild West’ in mining are over: Agnico Eagle
People remain suspicious of resource extraction even though more regulations are in place, says company director Remains of an old nickel mine are still visible……
October 28, 2024
Individual Business Initiatives
Mi’kmaw embrace flagship Canadian offshore wind project
Canada’s National Observer: CGI of Nova East floating wind project being developed off the coast of Nova Scotia (Handout: Nova East Wind)Listen to article An……
October 15, 2024
Individual Business Initiatives
Scotiabank releases Truth & Reconciliation Action Plan
NationTalk: TORONTO – Scotiabank announced today the release of its first Truth & Reconciliation Action Plan, outlining 37 commitments designed to progress reconciliation with Indigenous……
October 15, 2024