June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, celebrating the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
We’re continually committed to advancing and protecting Indigenous relationships and creating meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities and Indigenous-owned businesses. This includes actively working to fulfill the 92nd call to action, outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The Way Forward
To advance this work, we welcomed Tim Laronde in the newly created role of National Director, Indigenous Strategies. Tim has been working on developing Indigenous awareness strategies, partnerships, opportunities, and initiatives with internal and external stakeholders across the company and in the construction industry.
Tim is also a proud member of Nipissing First Nation and has over 25 years of business experience, which includes over 10 years directly working with and supporting Indigenous communities and associations in Canada.
The importance of economic reconciliation when starting any kind of development and creating respectful relationships cannot be understated. A prime example of the type of relationships we intend to build can be demonstrated through our work on the FNTI (First Nations Technical Institute) academic and admininstration facility.
Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and Indigenous Teachings
This mass timber project is located on a reclaimed site at the Tyendinaga Mohawk Airfield in Ontario. FNTI is the only Indigenous accredited college in Canada and its mission is to share unique educational experiences rooted in Indigenous knowledge, thereby enhancing the strength of learners and communities. The new administration and academic building is a bold, state-of-the-art net zero facility that represents long-term stewardship of the land and natural resources and commitment to the mitigation of global climate change. The final build will include indoor and outdoor spaces that maximize community involvement from round classrooms that foster discussions to ceremonial venues, and Indigenous gardens to medicinal plants, every piece has been planned out.
This project revolves heavily around our alignment and commitment to the shared goals of ska’nikonhra (one mind) and tentewarennia’te tsi naho:ten ionkwaterientare (knowledge transfer), directly correlating to the goal of all our IPD projects: true collaboration.
Our Continued Commitment
We will continue to work with Indigenous communities and Indigenous-owned businesses to build meaningful and respectful relationships, as we continue the journey towards economic reconciliation. As we look forward, we must also look back and understand the past. Reconciliation is the responsibility of all Canadians.
This year, our hearts are heavy as we continue to process and learn about the uncovering of hundreds of Indigenous children in a unmarked graves at Indian Residential Schools across Canada. Indigenous people have always know that their children were missing. It is important for all Canadians to know the truth as we support Indigenous people during this difficult time along their continuous healing journey. As part of our continued commitment, Tim guided a conversation with our internal and external teams about the history of Indigenous people in Canada.
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