SASKATOON — Carolyn Crowe and Patricia Crowe emphasized the importance of increasing employment opportunities for Indigenous Peoples to foster reconciliation and enhance their quality of life, in line with the 94 Calls to Action outlined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Carolyn Crowe and Patricia Crowe were featured speakers at Tuesday's one-day Indigenous Workforce Summit at TCU Place. The summit addressed inclusive cultures, Calls to Action, and Indigenous recruitment and retention strategies.
The annual Workforce Forward 2023 Saskatoon event brought together industry leaders to share their experiences and insights on promoting inclusion and diversity within the workplace. The summit was organized in collaboration with the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources-Saskatchewan, with Chief Executive Officer Nicole Norton Scott delivering welcoming remarks after the traditional prayers and blessings.
Carolyn Crowe highlighted the connection between companies' hiring practices and the Calls to Action, emphasizing that one of the primary goals of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's document is to implement changes that enhance the lives and economic prospects of Indigenous Peoples.
In an interview with SASKTODAY.ca, Crowe expressed, "They are intertwined. The reality is to take those Calls to Action and make them happen. It will take specific workforce employment and training opportunities for Indigenous People. We have to see the results and the change."
Acknowledging the progress made in Indigenous hiring practices, Crowe also emphasized the existing challenges, stating, "I think we are doing better. Those realities are still in place; some companies may be mandated to hire Indigenous people and may not try to do it right. That is what always, I think, will be one of our challenges. But we are seeing changes."
Crowe, currently an Engagement Consultant at Creative Fire, a fully-owned economic development arm of the Des Nedhe Group of the English River First Nation, commended human resources personnel's passion, care, and willingness to build relationships with the diverse workforce.
She emphasized the importance of building relationships: “If you do not build relationships, you do not have a [diverse and understanding] workforce. You need to be able to get out there, meet Indigenous people, build relationships with them, know who they are and get them interested in your corporation."
The Indigenous population in Canada accounts for approximately five percent, totalling 1,807,250 people out of a population of over 40 million. Since 2016, the Indigenous population has witnessed a 4.9 percent increase.
Where we are now
Patricia Crowe highlighted the growing recognition of Indigenous ways and needs as part of the reconciliation efforts driven by the Truth and Reconciliation's Calls to Action.
Crowe stated, "We are looking for some help. We know many mistakes were made in the past, but this kind of event will pave a different future. We know that there is an employment equity target. Sometimes they would be around that two or three percent," emphasizing the need for partnerships and inclusivity.
The Indigenous population in Canada is one of the fastest-growing, which presents an opportunity for the future workforce to possess the necessary education and training to meet the growing employment demands.
Crowe emphasized the responsibility of Indigenous Peoples to share their history and truths, even if uncomfortable, to promote understanding and dismantle discrimination and racism embedded within systems, including the workplace.
She expressed, "We have different values, cultures, perspectives and ways of doing things. The challenge was that we would always walk together, but it never happened that way. Now, with TRC, we can all work together and improve things in the future."
Crowe's journey involved completing her education at the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology and the then-Saskatchewan Indian Federated College, now known as the First Nations University of Canada.
Following her education, she joined as an Indigenous Economic Development Specialist through the provincial government's Aboriginal Management Development Trainee Program.
