FurCanada is a proponent in Acknowledging the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP). The company is committed to adhering to the recommendations set down by the Truth & Reconciliation Commission. Call to Action #92 is the major goal we will focus on. The History of the Fur Industry in Canada and it’s role in the treatment of Indigenous First Nation people has been tenuous at best and fraught with severe indiscretions. FurCanada cannot change the past, but we certainly can change the future. Our commitment to make changes for the better has been laid out for us to do the right thing. Every effort will be implemented to ensure the success of Call to Action #92 . The company will also call upon our Corporate Canada colleagues in the fur industry to join us on the journey. FurCanada is of strong belief that the Fur Industry has the responsibility above all others across this nation to take the lead in ensuring the rest of Corporate Canada follows.
To survive and succeed in the 21st century, the Industry must reach out to our most important benefactor, ally and the original producers of fur, the Indigenous First Nations people of Canada. The Fur Trade existed and flourished among Indigenous First Nation communities long before white settlers arrived on our eastern shores.
Our good friend Chief Roy Jones Jr. from Haida Gwaii First Nations exemplified to us, “the fur trade in Canada dates back to Ancient Times“.
Our Learning Hub of Education & Design School is one way that working with Indigenous First Nations will promote the growth and refinement of the fur trade in a manner that sustainably benefits wildlife as the Creator has provided and sustainably benefits indigenous communities.
FurCanada encourages all members of Corporate Canada to review the recommendations by the Truth & Reconciliation Commission, and take action to redress present and past wrongs against Indigenous First Nations People of Canada.
Truth & Reconciliation Commission
In 2015, the Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released its report with 94 recommendations. The TRC engaged Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation.
The report released in 2015 made a ‘Call to Action’ to specific audiences.
Recommendation #92 asks the corporate sector and their leadership to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. The commission calls for meaningful consultation, long term sustainable opportunities from economic development projects as well as education and training for managers on the history of Indigenous people, intercultural competency, human rights and anti-racism.
How will your company respond to this call to action?
- What kind of education opportunities could be provided through online learning, instructor-led courses and webinars? Where are your knowledge gaps? FurCanada continues to lead the way in providing education on the fur industry through our monthly 6 day workshops & our annual 10 Day Learning Hub of Education program, Our 5 year Plan on advancing Education is now in place. Our knowledge gaps are in the higher learning technical & professional sector. This came about when our Industry across Canada did not provide trained and educated replacements when the older technical professionals retired.
- How will your response help your company to improve your Indigenous inclusion workplace performance and your engagement with indigenous communities, people and businesses? Our 5 year plan set in motion will provide employment and training for future First Nation employees. The Workshops and Learning Hub will provide an incentive to seek employment with our colleagues in the Fur Trade. These programs will act as a stepping stone for students wishing to take part in our ultimate supreme goal of attaining a Bachelors Degree of Business Administration Majoring in Fur from an accredited University in British Columbia.
- How will you position your company’s response to the TRC report to achieve positive media and community profile? The company has an ongoing relationship with several industry publications. During our annual 10 day Learning Hub of Education program, we are excited that one of our students is the Production Manager of an Indigenous owned Film & Documentary company. The film crew will be present throughout the course to interview each student. This company provides documentaries for APTN and others.
Truth & Reconciliation Commission: Call to Action # 92
Business and Reconciliation
We call upon the corporate sector in Canada to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a reconciliation framework and to apply its principles, norms, and standards to corporate policy and core operational activities involving Indigenous peoples and their lands and resources. This would include, but not be limited to, the following:
- Commit to meaningful consultation, building respectful relationships, and obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous peoples before proceeding with economic development projects.
- Ensure that Aboriginal peoples have equitable access to jobs, training, and education opportunities in the corporate sector, and that Aboriginal communities gain long-term sustainable benefits from economic development projects.
- Provide education for management and staff on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.
Read the Full TRC Report
The Full Report is available at: www.trc.ca