This post offers a critical review of the TRC Call to Action #92, developed as part of my final MEd project in EDUC 5041: Diversity – Constructing Social Realities. Like [Call to Action #62], I will argue that despite efforts to meet the objectives, significant gaps remain in its implementation. The difference between Call to Action #62 and #92 is that #62 focuses on education, and #92 focuses on the business sector. This analysis will begin by explaining the purpose of Call to Action #92, followed by an evaluation of its progress and barriers to the implementation. The ethical obligations for businesses and self-employed practitioners will be examined, and I will share some resources and practical tips to help advance reconciliation.
What Is Call to Action #92
Call to Action #92 urges corporations to center Indigenous rights by: (1) Obtaining free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) (British Columbia Assembly of First Nations, n.d.) before projects, not just consultation; (2) Ensuring equitable hiring, training, and long-term benefits for Indigenous communities; and (3) Educating staff on Indigenous history, UNDRIP, and anti-racism. True allyship means shifting from exploitation to respectful partnerships—backing words with action, accountability, and shared power (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, 2012). [Click here for the full Call to Action #92].
Personal Perspective
Hello, I’m Gina, a 4th-generation Canadian, though much of my family’s history remains a bit of a mystery to me. Through DNA testing and conversations with relatives, I have pieced together that my ancestors migrated here from England, Scotland, Ireland, and other parts of Northwestern Europe through the USA to Canada.
The perspective I bring to this space is shaped by my academic background—a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Education—and by my experience as both a practitioner and a parent.
Understanding my own place in Canada’s colonial history deepens my responsibility to engage with reconciliation efforts as a small business owner in private practice. While I do not work in the school system, I recognize how the curriculum and systems within have and still contribute to colonization. I am committed to learning and unlearning – how can I offer services that are culturally relevant and ensure that my Indigenous clients receive services that meet their needs and respect their cultural values. I will contribute my voice and actions to advocate for reconciliation and challenge systemic barriers.
Current State of Call to Action
The Indigenous Watch Dog reports #92 – Stalled
Many Canadian business organizations have made recommendations aligned with Call to Action 92, but follow-up has been limited, especially considering Indigenous protests related to consultation and environmental concerns. A recent report indicates that 85% of Canadian businesses are not engaged with Indigenous communities, presenting an opportunity for mutually beneficial partnerships. By engaging, businesses can tap into new markets, access a growing workforce, improve their reputation, and foster respectful workplace cultures, while also advancing progress on the 107 Calls to Economic Prosperity outlined in the National Indigenous Economic Strategy (Indigenous Watch Dog, n.d.).
How do the TRC Calls to Action Implicate Educational Leaders and Practitioners?
It is easy to get caught up in feeling too small to make a difference. It seems difficult to believe that we can make a difference when we learn that the system of capitalism makes it nearly impossible for Indigenous people to get ahead in cities like Vancouver, where housing prices are in the millions. Wyly asserts:
While home prices look like bargains to global elites considering options from New York to Los Angeles, London, Hong Kong, or Shanghai, when expressed as multiples of local incomes Vancouver prices are routinely ranked as the second or third most expensive in the world. (2024, p. 322)
Choosing to Take a Step Forward
I made a personal decision that no action cannot move reconciliation forward at all. Instead of getting stuck in feeling powerless I focus on the next thing that can be done. Educators have the responsibility of educating future generations of Indigenous students and educating non-Indigenous students about the history of colonization. I am sharing what I have learned in my studies at TRU in the MEd program, along with the wisdom that I have picked up from the elders that have shared their wisdom with me over time.
Examine our Location
Educational Leaders and Business owners need to examine their own beliefs and location. Before I began my education, I believed in meritocracy and thought that the harder a person works the better they will do in life. You can read more about it [https://ginajohnson.ca/an-evolved-blog/] if you like. What is meritocracy? The University of Alberta wrote about this, and you can read the full post [Here], but an excerpt from that article drives the main point “What’s more, they believe hard work, education and ambition contribute to success far more than class background” (McMaster, 2023). The issue with meritocracy within this call to action is that people can see the lack of Indigenous voices in the workplace as a lack of hard work and miss the entire past of genocide and colonization that is responsible.
I have seen this in my own work spaces where I voice the need to include Indigenous leaders in the decisions long before there is a vote or forum, and am shut out. I have been told that they would come if they cared. The issue with the belief of meritocracy within this call to action is that businesses can see the lack of Indigenous peoples as a lack of hard work. This continues to perpetuate the depth of damage that privilege and systemic power in the corporate world uses to exclude Indigenous peoples in the workplace and business world.
Understand the History
Second, educators and business owners need to understand how society came to view Indigenous People and see the history that has been hidden for most of our lives. Here is a short video that gives a brief overview of some of the key points:
Educate Yourself / Your Business
Third, Educators and Business owners can educate themselves on ethical business practices when working with Indigenous Peoples. One of the areas that comes up in my areas of business is when Indigenous peoples are treated as equals to Western world businesses. Bob Joseph asserts that treating Indigenous people as equals to others takes away their identity. He warns, “Don’t tell the community that you have to treat them equally with others” (6:05). To advance the Call to Action #92, business owners have a responsibility to build relationships with Indigenous Peoples and learn the etiquette and customs necessary. Below, you will find some resources to get you started.
Resources for Businesses to Work Towards Reconciliation
Below, a few resources are provided that offer suggestions on working in respectful and culturally appropriate ways with Indigenous Peoples or multiple resources to help your business work towards the goal of completing Call to Action #93. They are current as of April 2025.
*BC Green Business offers several links to resources at: https://bcgreenbusiness.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Truth-and-Reconciliation-A-Resource-List-for-Businesses.pdf
*CPA offers history and their experience at https://www.bccpa.ca/news-events/cpabc-newsroom/2022/june/insights-in-working-with-indigenous-businesses
*LGMA offers several resources at: https://www.lgma.ca/truth-and-reconciliation-resources
What is Next
In my ongoing commitment to reconciliation, I will continue to pursue professional development courses to deepen my understanding of how to advance the Calls to Action in British Columbia. I actively seek out books by Indigenous authors and follow Indigenous influencers on social media to broaden my perspective. I volunteer on city committees and on boards and will be able to apply the knowledge that I have gained from speakers like Bob Josheph, who asserts, “don’t tell the community you are there to speak to them as stakeholders” (2015, 3:54), which is still happening currently. I will continue to build relationships with Indigenous people in my community. As recommended by Indigenous Corporate Training, I will attend “…their community and public events such as pow-wows, round dances, canoe racing events, Christmas dinners, fundraising galas, and National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations (2023, para. 4).
Conclusion
Advancing Call to Action #93 is going to take commitment from everyone to learn about our history, examine our own beliefs and identity, and take action to build relationships with Indigenous peoples in our local communities, and learn culturally relevant ways to engage in working together. It will require speaking up when Indigenous Peoples are not included, and advocating for change. Review the TRC Call to Action #92 to find the areas that you can help advance in your business community (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, 2012). [Click here for the full Call to Action #92].
Thank you for engaging with this post; I hope it has provided insights and practical suggestions to integrate reconciliation efforts into both your professional practice and personal life. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out @ johnsong191 at TRU dot ca.
References in APA 7 Style
Bauer, M. (2016, Jan. 07). [Video]. 8th Fire Wab Kinew 500 years in 2 minutes. (YouTube). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7LY-fXzhZI
British Columbia Assembly of First Nations. (n.s.). Honouring our Ancestors. https://www.bcafn.ca/sites/default/files/docs/reports-presentations/FNA_Doc_V2_It11_pages.pdf
Indigenous Corporate Training. (2023, Feb. 02). 11 Community outreach tips for Indigenous recruitment – #2 of community series. Accessed on April 06, 2025 at https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/11-community-outreach-tips-for-indigenous-recruitment
Indigenous Watch Dog. (n.d.). Call to action #62. Accessed on March 24, 2025 at https://www.indigenouswatchdog.org/subcategory/business-and-reconciliation/
Johnson, G. (2025, March 11). An evolved Blog. https://ginajohnson.ca/an-evolved-blog/
Johnson, G. (2025, April 25). TRC call to action #62. https://ginajohnson.ca/trc-call-to-action-62/
Joseph, B. (2015). Bob Joseph 20 tips on what not to say or do when working with First Nations [Video]. YouTube: Geoscience BC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw79405RTwc
McMaster, G. (2023, Nov. 07). ‘Great Canadin class study’ reveals strong belief in meritocracy despite low mobility across generations. Accessed on April 6, 2025 at https://www.ualberta.ca/en/folio/2023/11/great-canadian-class-study-reveals-strong-belief-in-meritocracy.html
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. (2012). Truth and reconciliation commission of Canada: calls to action. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/indigenous-people/aboriginal-peoples-documents/calls_to_action_english2.pdf
Wyly, E. (2024). Regarding the pain of Indigenous others. Dialogues in Urban Research, 2(3), 321–363.
