An Introduction to Land Acknowledgements: Why, When, and How to Write One For your Business

 
 
 
 

Reconciliation is the coming together of our systems, institutions, organizations, and society in relationship with, and in creating a more equitable and inclusive society for Indigenous peoples. We listen, learn, reflect and then act.

As we identify the intersection between reconciliation and inclusive workplaces, the opportunity exists for organizations to proactively participate in, support, and partner on economic development activities with Indigenous communities and ventures. An important step in reconciliation is land acknowledgments.

Together we will discuss what a land acknowledgment is, the importance of land acknowledgments, and spend time in the workshop crafting a land acknowledgment that is meaningful to you.

Downloads:


Presenters:

Gillian Hynes (She/Her/Hers) Director, Indigenous Inclusion & Strategy, Rise Consulting

Gillian lives her belief that healthy and sustainable organizations require trust, community, and connection. She brings experience from the energy industry, the nonprofit world, and small to mid-size growth organizations, specializing in people, talent, and business strategy. With her multi-passionate approach, she advances diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplaces; connects people to build vibrant communities; explores how innovation can elevate people’s purpose; and develops creative organizational and community solutions. She believes that people are the heart of any organization and workplace.

Gillian is the current President of Ask Her YYC, a non-profit organization advancing inclusion and gender representation in municipal politics. She is the Co-Founder of And Together, a social impact organization who advocate the courageous sharing of lived experiences and co-creation of solutions to organizational strategy, culture, and inclusion challenges. She is also a Coach for the Girls20 Young Directors Program, mentoring young women in Calgary to be effective, confident, and active board members.

In her areas of expertise, she shows up as a speaker and contributor for conferences, external events, podcasts, university lectures, and other media throughout Canada. She has an MBA from Queens University, a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary, a Certificate in Social Impact from Queens University and holds her CPHR designation. She is a 2021 United Way Culbert Family Award Winner for her philanthropic leadership, a 2019 Young Women in Energy award winner for her impact on the Energy industry, and a 2019 Canadian HR Awards Woman of Distinction Nominee for her innovative approach to Human Resources.

Nicole Contois (She/Her/Hers), Specialist, Indigenous Inclusion, Rise Consulting

Nicole is passionate about bringing reconciliation and Indigenous inclusion to fruition, ensuring all Indigenous communities can thrive. She believes in equality and is passionate about breaking down barriers for underrepresented communities. She has a caring and understanding approach when working with others, allowing for the elevation of feelings and experiences. Supporting her community-centered approach, Nicole is an experienced professional in implementing processes and best practices to support operational efficiency and effectiveness, her understanding and ability to community the why, supports her success with the how.

Nicole is of Metis decent and grew up with deep understanding and roots to the Metis community where she has volunteered with Metis elders and Metis Local 87. She grew up surrounded by her culture and attended summer camps as a young girl where the focus was on teaching Metis youth about their culture. Passing down her Metis heritage to her young children is her way of keeping her culture alive and honoring those who came before her.

Nicole has completed courses in Oil and Gas Administration at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and a Human Resource Management Certificate at the University of Calgary.

Learn more about Rise Consulting: http://www.riseconsultingltd.ca/


Host:

Bow Valley Immigration Partnership (BVIP)

We are a regional partnership with representatives from every sector working together for a welcoming and inclusive Bow Valley. Our members include municipalities, community services, businesses, cultural groups, individuals and more. Anyone should be able to feel at home here, regardless of where they’ve arrived from or their immigration status - that's why we work to create the systemic change and cultural change that we need, so that nobody is left behind. We help the community embrace new locals so they can stay and thrive here in the Bow Valley.

Learn more:

This presentation was included as part of the National Workplace Inclusion Forum 2021, held online across Canada in October 2021. For more tools and strategies to create inclusive workplaces, visit https://www.inclusioncharter.ca

 
 
 
Bow Valley Immigration Partnership