CALL TO ACTION #92 AND YOU Reconciliation responsibilities for businesses
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Adam N. Nepon, MBA, CPHR Candidate
HRmatters / www.cphrmb.ca
lot of us have heard about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada and the establishment of the 94 calls to action. Based on my experiences, it appears organizations and, specifically, corporations across Manitoba have been grappling with the call to actions and how to implement them. This is almost always a tough subject but we have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Call to action No. 92 addresses a corporation’s role in making a significant impact to eliminate some of the systemic suppression experienced by Indigenous peoples and others who identify as BIPOC (black, Indigenous and people of colour). Systemic suppression and systemic racism inherently exists in many organizational systems, public and private. This is not about the people within the systems but the processes and
procedures within the systems that cause this marginalization and inequality. The TRC* was formed with the goal of “promoting healing, educating, listening and the preparation of a report for all parties that includes recommendations for the Government of Canada regarding the IRS (Indian Residential Schools) system, experience and legacy.” Personally, the term ‘residential school’ didn’t even register for me until about 10 years ago. I stumbled across the CBC miniseries 8th Fire that took viewers through a history that I had never heard or possibly was never presented to me in elementary school. After watching the series, I started to understand my thoughts, perceptions and biases were formed without any direct experience with Indigenous communities. What I came to realize was my ignorance; that I cannot fear this ignorance; and I am not alone.
