COMMITMENT TO TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
With resolute purpose, sincere intent, and in the true spirit of Truth and Reconciliation with the Indigenous Peoples of Canada (First Nation [Status and non-Status], Métis and Inuit), we, the directors and officers of Indigeno Travel, solemnly pledge to:
Pledge 1 : Deepen our knowledge of the current, ongoing and historic systems of racism and colonialism* in Canada, the harm it has caused and the impact it has had on Indigenous and racialized peoples, past and present. This includes learning more about the history of the Indigenous peoples of Canada, acknowledging their territories and learning about Indigenous Ways of Knowing*.
Pledge 2 : Continue to build positive relationships with Indigenous individuals and communities to create a mutual understanding of our lived experiences in Canada. This includes a commitment to participate in the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.
Pledge 3 : Deepen our sensitivity to the damaging effects of myths, misconceptions and stereotypes about Indigenous people and how these may even be impeding our own anti-racist efforts. These insights will help us in the course of implementing our Indigenization Strategy.
Pledge 4 : Recognize and respond to microaggressions* and micro-inequities* by calling out prejudicial jokes, language and other behaviours that arise from and help perpetuate toxic stereotypes and myths. This is vital to nurturing a workplace environment that is inclusive and welcoming to our Indigenous employees.
Pledge 5 : Encourage others around us to deepen their understanding of the truths in “truth and reconciliation”, have the courage to ask new questions and to make this an ongoing conversation in our business culture.
Pledge 6 : Take to heart the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, in particular Call to Action #92 on Business and Reconciliation, which is core to Indigeno Travel’s mission. Among the ways we pledge to honour Call to Action #92 is to implement our Indigenization Strategy with due haste and preferentially contract and procure from Indigenous businesses and Indigenous economic development corporations.
Pledge 7 : Promote and recommend art, literature and other works by Indigenous creators which shed light on the Indigenous experience and curate a library of Indigenous studies for internal use, including landmark documents such as Reclaiming Power: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and its 231 Calls for Justice.
Pledge 8 : Make a commitment to practice inclusion in our personal and professional lives by understanding the intersectionality* of Indigenous people’s identity and by actively encouraging support for National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations on June 21 along with other celebrations with my family and community.
Charlene Phillips, Founder
Chris Maxfield, Founder & VP of Business Development
Jessica Dumas, Director of the Board
Phil Sproul, President and CEO
Ian Kalinowsky, CFO
Daryl Silver, Chair of the Board
Jeff Butler, Director of the Board
Pearl McCallum, Vice President of Operations
References
Colonialism
“Colonialism is defined as “control by one power over a dependent area or people.” It occurs when one nation subjugates another, conquering its population and exploiting it, often while forcing its own language and cultural values upon its people.” –The Canadian Race Relations Foundation
Indigenous Ways of Knowing
“A useful term that recognizes the beautiful complexity and diversity of Indigenous ways of learning and teaching. Many people continue to generalize Indigenous experience and lived realities. The intent of the phrase “Indigenous Ways of Knowing” is to help educate people about the vast variety of knowledge that exists across diverse Indigenous communities. It also signals that, as Indigenous Peoples, we don’t just learn from human interaction and relationships. All elements of creation can teach us, from the plant and animal nations, to the “objects” that many people consider to be inanimate.” –Queens University, Kingston, Ontario
Microaggressions
“A statement, action, or incident regarded as an instance of indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group such as a racial or ethnic minority.” –Oxford Languages
Micro-inequities
“A way in which individuals are either singled out, overlooked, ignored, or otherwise discounted based on an unchangeable characteristic such as race or gender.” –Association of American Colleges
Intersectionality
“The experience of the interconnected nature of ethnicity, race, creed, gender, socio-economic position etc., (cultural, institutional and social), and the way they are imbedded within existing systems and define how one is valued.” –The Canadian Race Relations Foundation