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Reconciliation and Indigenous Inclusion Policy

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We believe we are all Treaty people and it is our duty and honour to be active participants in Reconciliation.  This Policy outlines our principles and commitments to support the rising presence of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and embrace Two-Eyed Seeing. The development and application of this Policy aligns with our values, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action as well as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 

This policy applies to all members of the team at Rise (full-time employees, associates and contractors) in our work with clients, organizations, and communities.  We are all on our own individual journeys to understand our past and our role in the Truth – both historical and current – of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Members of our team reflect the members of our communities. We are Indigenous, we are settlers, and we are first-generation immigrants and new citizens in Canada. Members of our team have lived experiences as Indigenous Peoples and are members of equity-deserving groups. Most importantly, the team at Rise is dedicated to supporting Truth, Reconciliation, and Indigenous inclusion. Together, we have a shared responsibility to act in Reconciliation and uphold the principles and commitments set out in this Policy.   

Where possible, Rise will seek to influence the approach applied by clients, associations, and communities we engage with to align with our principles and commitments.  

Land Acknowledgement

As a team that works mostly in a remote and virtual environment, we live and and work across a variety of Traditional Territories. We conduct our work mainly from Treaty 7 Territory, and the Traditional Territories of the Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy): Siksika, Kainai, and Pikani; the Îyâxe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda); the Tsuut’ina Nation; and the Ktunaxa ?amaki?is, the homelands of the Ktunaxa Peoples. We also acknowledge the Métis Nation of Alberta and the Kootenay Region of the Métis Nation of British Columbia. 

We acknowledge that we support organizations that impact and are in proximity to, and on the Traditional Territories of, a variety of Indigenous Communities and organizations. As we live our purpose and advance Truth and Reconciliation, we listen, learn and reflect as we build and share knowledge about the interconnectivity with the land and those who have and continue to steward it. Following reflection, we act, as we respond to the call to Reconciliation and support the creation of a more equitable and inclusive society for all.

Commitments and Actions 

  • Amplify: We see the opportunity to use our influence and network to amplify the voices of Indigenous Communities and Organizations. We commit to using our online presence to amplify Indigenous voices and causes at least once a week. 
  • Business Development: We recognize the role we have as a company and individuals to identify and build financially beneficial relationships with Indigenous Peoples, communities, and businesses.  We commit to purchasing from Indigenous vendors where possible and amplifying Indigenous businesses to our network and client partners. 
  • Community Relations: We support Indigenous communities and organizations through community financial (e.g., donations, sponsorship) and non-financial (e.g., time, effort) giving and contributions. We commit to sharing one-third of our annual profit with Indigenous communities and organizations; we will update the total value on our website annually. 
  • Community Engagement: We support the rising presence of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, as we operate under our tenet of “nothing about you, without you” related to Indigenous community engagement and relationship building. As we listen and learn and, as agreed upon with communities, we will share knowledge.  
  • Consultation: Indigenous Peoples have inherent rights that include self-governance and self-determination. As we work with Indigenous Communities directly or indirectly, with our client-partners, we commit to leading and teaching meaningful consultation, building respectful relationships, and obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples. 
  • Employment: We recognize the system barriers that continue to exist today, limiting Indigenous Peoples’ access, employment, and development in corporate Canada. We commit to sharing, inviting, exploring, and supporting employment opportunities for Indigenous People within our organization as well as within our client and partner organizations.  
  • Attraction and Recruitment:
    • Application Process: Rise does not discriminate based on any identity and we promote human rights equality for everyone who is a part of our community. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging, grounded in Reconciliation and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). At Rise, we want to promote equity and diversity initiatives throughout everything we do. If you require any accommodations at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.
    • Count Yourself In Employee Self-Identification Form: We utilize a self-identification form at the time of onboarding.
  • Impact-Driven Work: We live our values and are accountable in our work with clients and Indigenous communities to create a positive and sustainable impact. Our work and efforts are focused on short and long-term changes in behaviour, actions, and systems, as identified by clients, associations, and Indigenous communities. At the outset of every client project, we will articulate the intended outcomes and impacts and finalize them at the end of the project to reflect the learnings and reflections. 
  • Indigenous Peoples’ Inherent Rights: We acknowledge and respect that Indigenous Peoples have unique constitutional rights in Canada and traditional world views. This includes Treaty Rights and land rights.  We will respect and apply the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples in all our work.  
  • Leadership and Knowledge Sharing: We commit to listening, learning, reflecting, and sharing the knowledge we build everywhere. We aim to lead by example. We take time at the beginning of meetings to share Indigenous learning moments, both internally and with clients. Every member of the team at Rise is required to complete the University of Alberta Indigenous Canada Massive Open Online Course within 90 days of onboarding. 
  • National and International Goals: We seek to integrate and apply UNDRIP as the framework for Reconciliation and follow the TRC’s 10 Principles of Reconciliation and support the 94 Calls to Action. We recognize how our work and the impact of our client partners’ efforts align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 
  • Relationship: Our mission is to foster meaningful relationships built on trust and respect which bring together Indigenous and corporate communities to create shared value. We will foster relationships with kindness and courage.  
  • Values-based Collaboration: Together, we encourage and support each other with courage, kindness, and knowledge to create trust, community, and shared value – always with the motivation of advancing Indigenous Truth, Reconciliation, and inclusion in Canada. We will apply our values in all of our work as we respond to our calls to action. 

Governance and Accountabilities 

The entire team at Rise is accountable for the application of the policy. Each year, one member of the team will be responsible for the maintenance of the policy and reporting on Rise’s performance. This approach enables collective accountability as well as learning.  

Alignment with our Sustainability Commitment 

Our commitment to Reconciliation and Indigenous inclusion is bolstered by the Rise Commitment to Sustainability. Our vision is a future where one group’s prosperity doesn’t come at the expense of another’s rights or well-being. The link to the official definition of sustainable development is intentional: development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.  

This statement aligns with our values and guides how we make decisions and act with our clients, team members, and the communities where we live, as well as the communities where we have an impact.  

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Call to Action 92

As a business operating in Canada, at Rise Consulting, we acknowledge and accept the invitation from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian Reconciliation through participation in Call to Action 92:

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:

  1. Commit to meaningful consultation, building respectful relationships, and obtaining the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples before proceeding with economic development projects.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.