Corporate London teams up with Nokee Kwe to help meet economic reconciliation goals

London business owners looking to hire and diversify their workforce are being encouraged to consider Indigenous employees as an act of reconciliation that organizers say will also be good for the bottom line. 

A new program, led by the non-profit employment skills centre Nokee Kwe and supported by the London Chamber of Commerce, hopes to address two issues identified by employers: staff shortages and cultural representation in the workplace.

“Let’s not just envision an inclusive workplace, let’s become that change,” said Sharon Deebrah, the project manager for the First Employ Project for Business Reconciliation. “Collaborating and networking is the key to economic development.”  

The corporate sector was called upon in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to actively engage in reconciliation practices, including ensuring Indigenous peoples have equitable access to employment and training.

“Sadly, businesses across the country have not stepped up to their moral obligation under the TRC regulations,” said Graham Henderson, CEO of the London Chamber of Commerce.

“We were dismayed to see from a recent study that 31 per cent of businesses do not think that the calls to action applies to them. They thought it was only personal.”

Henderson said of the steps toward reconciliation that have been taken, including land acknowledgements and sharing educational resources, economic reconciliation remains a missing piece.

He hopes by connecting Chamber of Commerce members and others in corporate London to Nokee Kwe’s project, business leaders in London will have an easier time hiring and supporting Indigenous employees.

“Folks want to do this. They just don’t really understand how to do this,” Henderson said. 

The first order of business for the First Employ Project for Business Reconciliation is to conduct a survey with employers to understand where they’re at and what they want to know. After that, the data will be used to create recruitment and retention materials. 

“I’m very optimistic about this. This is a changing culture and people are far more open to learning after learning the details of the residential schools. People are interested in opening their doors to our community,” Deebrah said. 

She said more information for getting involved will be coming soon. 

LISTEN: Nokee Kwe organizers and the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce explain the goals

London Morning10:14How can businesses attract and retain Indigenous talent?

The Nokee Kwe London Employment and Education Centre is launching a new project to help local businesses attract and

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Economic reconciliation ‘is everything’ to Indigenous people, business leader says

Indigenous and business leaders came together in Winnipeg on Tuesday to build relationships and share ideas as part of a forum focused on the economy and reconciliation.

More than a hundred business owners, government leaders and representatives of business organizations gathered at the Victoria Inn near the Winnipeg airport for the Southern Chiefs’ Organization’s economic reconciliation business forum.

Among the attendees was Michelle Cameron, who has founded multiple businesses, including Dreamcatcher Promotions and the INAC (Indigenous Nations Apparel Company) clothing store chain.

Reconciliation is central to her success, she told CBC.

“It is everything,” she said. “It is the foundation of how we grow as a community — not just the Indigenous community, but all of us. We all play a part in reconciliation and doing business and moving forward.”

When Cameron started a new business, Dreamcatcher Executive Offices, she turned to another Indigenous business owner to furnish the space.

Darrell Brown owns Kisik Commercial Furniture. He says Indigenous-owned businesses can be just as competitive as others, if given the chance.

“We know how to do business. We’re very good at it. All we need is the door open, and you listen to us and give us a chance, and we’ll show you what we can do.”

Exploring partnerships

True North Sports and Entertainment chief executive Mark Chipman gave the keynote speech at Tuesday’s event.

He highlighted the work his organization is doing in downtown Winnipeg to redevelop the Portage Place shopping centre, across the street from where the Southern Chiefs’ Organization is working to develop the former Hudson’s Bay building.

“I don’t know that one project is can be as successful without the other,” Chipman said in an interview.

“So I think we’ve just got a natural … playground, so to speak, to work together.”

The two organizations haven’t had any detailed conversations about co-operating, but Chipman mentioned their shared goals of creating housing in their respective projects as one possible avenue for collaboration.

SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels says companies also need to think about who they have at the top.

“Jamie Wilson [the vice-president of Indigenous strategy at Red River College Polytech] said it best this morning … if you don’t have Indigenous people on your board or on your executive branch of your company, then you’re probably not serious about true reconciliation,” Daniels said in an interview.

Several speakers and attendees spoke about the importance of

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