Actuality¹⁴⁹

September 30th commemorates two official days of paramount significance in acknowledging the actions of colonial and Canadian governments towards First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples: the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. But what does the term "reconciliation" truly mean, and why the wearing of orange shirts?

These two commemorations each, in their own way, symbolize the imperative need to acknowledge the tragic consequences of the residential schools, the missing children, the abandoned families, and the survivors of these institutions.

From the 17th century until the late 1990s, 150,000 Métis, Inuit, or First Nations children were forced to attend residential schools established by the government of that time. These institutions aimed to assimilate Indigenous culture in children, so they would adopt the lifestyle and customs of the white majority.

Orange Shirt Day gets its name from Phyllis Webstad, a member of the Stswecem'c/Xgat'tem First Nation in British Columbia. On her first day at a residential school at the age of 6, Phyllis had all her clothes, including her favorite orange shirt that she wore that day, taken away from her.

But beyond the residential schools, Indigenous Peoples also face various issues that still need to be recognized and addressed. These issues include access to clean water on some reserves, as well as representation in the corporate world, media, popular culture, and the business community.

There is a great need for education about the situations experienced by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. It is essential to take action with and alongside these communities, in cooperation with Indigenous organizations, to improve the various challenges they face. Several organizations are already collaborating to achieve this goal, such as the Grand cercle économique des Peuples autochtones et du Québec (Grand Circle of Indigenous Peoples and Quebec Economy).

This initiative, launched by Indigenous Peoples in November 2021 in Montreal, is a movement aimed at increasing the participation of Indigenous businesses in the Quebec economy. This movement is now expanding to the regional level, with the holding of regional economic circles and regular events. This initiative encourages businesses in the Quebec business community to engage in making changes to improve the socio-economic conditions of Indigenous Peoples.

Another example of an organization working with Indigenous Peoples is Mikana, a non-profit Indigenous organization with a mission to bring about social change by raising awareness among various audiences about the realities of Indigenous Peoples through education, awareness, and dialogue for harmonious coexistence and mutual understanding in society. Many other organizations are working in this field, such as:

• UTAPI Consultants
• Mikana
• Espace autochtones - Radio Canada
• Commission de développement des ressources humaines des Premières Nations du Québec (Commission for the Development of Human Resources of the First Nations of Quebec)
• Réseau jeunesse des Premières Nations du Québec et du Labrador (Youth Network of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador)
• La Boîte Rouge Vif
• Femmes autochtones du Québec (Indigenous Women of Quebec)
• Assemblée des Premières Nations Québec-Labrador (Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador)
• Regroupement des centres d’amitié autochtones du Québec (Association of Native Friendship Centers of Quebec)

The JCCM, with its values of collaboration, engagement, and inclusion, as well as its vision to propel the Montreal business community to contribute to building a progressive, inclusive, and economically sustainable society, invites its network to collaborate with these organizations and learn about the history of this day. We also encourage you to wear an orange shirt in support of Canada's Indigenous Peoples.

Finally, we would like to thank Marie-Christine Tremblay, Strategic Advisor at the Commission de développement économique des Premières nations du Québec et du Labrador (Commission for the Economic Development of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador), and Joannie Gill, Indigenous Health and Education Consultant / Indigenization at UTAPI Consultants, for their collaboration in writing this article.