In September, 9I制作厂免费 marked the 14th Annual Indigenous Awareness Weeks, a time of celebration, learning, and reflection. This year's theme Truth and Reconciliation, also marking the 10-year anniversary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada.
The Desautels Faculty of Management, in collaboration with 9I制作厂免费鈥檚 Office of Indigenous Initiatives, hosted two events focused on reconciliation literacy and the intersections of culture, identity and the corporate sector.
On September 24, Dr. Niigaan Sinclair, Anishinaabe writer, columnist, and Professor of Native Studies at the University of Manitoba, joined moderator Dr. Veldon Coburn, Faculty Chair of Indigenous Relations Initiatives, for a conversation on progress, tensions, and responsibilities that have emerged since the release of the TRC鈥檚 94 Calls to Action. Dr. Sinclair reflected on what meaningful reconciliation can look like in post-secondary education, and how Indigenous voices continue to challenge and shape institutional change.
On September 25, Indigenous entrepreneur Jenn Harper, CEO of Cheekbone Beauty, and Mini Tipi co-founders Trisha Pitura and Melanie Bernard joined moderators Brittany Janvier (M MGMT'24), Director for the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, and Masters of Management in Retailing candidate, Matthew Sabo (MMR鈥�26), for a dynamic panel exploring how entrepreneurship can serve as a powerful platform for cultural storytelling, advocacy, and community impact. Through their brands, these women built successful businesses that celebrate Indigenous identity, challenge mainstream narratives, and inspire change. The reflections on their work showed how craft and commerce can intersect to reclaim stories, foster representation, and drive meaningful dialogue. The event was organized in collaboration with the Bensadoun School of Retail Management.聽
Open to students, staff, and faculty, the two events nurtured important, reflective conversations about the state of economic reconciliation within the corporate sector, the importance of community-building, and strategies for building better relations with Indigenous communities near 9I制作厂免费. As the EDI team embarks on its work towards achieving certification in the Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) program through the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, these events and conversations served as critical reminders of the importance of pursuing efforts towards economic reconciliation in business.
The EDI Team welcomes interest from community members who wish to learn more about the PAIR certification process and working group. For details, please contact karrie-noelle.plohman [at] mcgill.ca (Karrie-Noelle Plohman), Senior Advisor - EDI.
