Sask. companies show “greater willingness” on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation: study | The Canadian News

The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce has released a study based on companies in the province observing National Truth and Reconciliation Day on September 30. The study was conducted in partnership with InputSask, an enterprise information platform.

In October, the study was conducted online via email with 192 business leaders submitted by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber wanted to know the degree of adoption of the concept of indigenous commitment and reconciliation throughout the province.

“We know as a Chamber that it is absolutely critical to Saskatchewan’s economic and social success that we are much more engaged as a community,” said Steve McLellan, executive director of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce. “We wanted to make sure our data was up to date.”

The survey was sent out to 1,500 to 2,000 companies, but not all completed it, McLellan said.

“We were very successful in getting solid input [and] the numbers were positive, “he said. “We are happy with the results.”

The report’s key findings show that 86 percent of companies surveyed (165 out of 192) conducted activities that recognized National Truth and Reconciliation Day, while only 14 percent indicated no action was taken.

“Simply put, we have found that Saskatchewan businesses are taking advantage of the indigenous opportunities that exist,” said McLellan. “We have also found that there is a greater willingness and appetite for all things reconciliation.”

According to the report, the key findings are:

• 56 percent of staff wore orange
• 48 percent of educational resources were shared internally.
• 37% of staff were encouraged to learn on their own time
• 24% of the staff received the day off as a paid holiday.
• 19% of business operations were suspended for the entire day so that staff could participate in educational activities.
• 19% of the staff accessed the resources provided by the room
• 16% of educational resources were shared externally.

Overall, McLellan said it is important for all Saskatchewan businesses to sit down and talk with their staff to find out how to improve in terms of achieving reconciliation.

“Indigenous employees in companies make it a better business,” he said. “When Saskatchewan truly opens our arms and hearts, I believe that the lessons we will learn and the reconciliation we will achieve will change our province for the better, forever.”

22:07Global National: September 30