Honouring the Truth Reconciling for the Future

362 • Truth & Reconciliation Commissionviews as Indigenous peoples. They want opportunities to work for companies that areproactively addressing systemic racism and inequity. Corporations can demonstrateleadership by using the United Nations Declaration as a reconciliation framework.Call to Action92) We call upon the corporate sector in Canada to adopt the United NationsDeclaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a reconciliation frameworkand to apply its principles, norms, and standards to corporate policy and coreoperational activities involving Indigenous peoples and their lands and resources.This would include, but not be limited to, the following:i. Commit to meaningful consultation, building respectful relationships, andobtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous peoples beforeproceeding with economic development projects.ii. Ensure that Aboriginal peoples have equitable access to jobs, training,and education opportunities in the corporate sector, and that Aboriginalcommunities gain long-term sustainable benefits from economic developmentprojects.iii. Provide education for management and staff on the history of Aboriginalpeoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the UnitedNations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties andAboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This willrequire skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution,human rights, and anti-racism.We are all Treaty people: Communities, alliances, and hopeThe Commission believes that reconciliation cannot be left up to governments, thecourts, and churches alone. There must also be dialogue and action in communitiesacross the country. Reconciliation must happen across all sectors of Canadian society.Canadians still have much to learn from each other. Past generations of newcomersfaced injustices and prejudice similar to those experienced by residential school studentsand their families. More recent immigrants have struggled with racism and misconceptionsas they come to take their place in the Canadian nation.Despite the many barriers to reconciliation, this Commission remains cautiouslyoptimistic. At the Alberta National Event in March 2014, trc Honorary Witness WabKinew spoke about the changes that are already happening across this land that giverise to hope. He began by explaining that all day he had been carrying with him