29 September 2021
Recognizing the pivotal role played by Indigenous peoples in the mining industry, CIM’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee is pleased to host National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - a conversation with Joseph Wabegijig. This virtual event slated for September 30, 2021 at 6 PM EDT honours Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and features guest speaker Joseph Wabegijig, CEO of Phoenix Smart Infrastructure, and a member of the Wikwemikong First Nation.
Wabegijig is a civil engineering professional, and an expert in sustainable infrastructure development and community partnerships. As a former Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, he also has extensive experience managing government and stakeholder relations. Wabegijig’s insights can help mining and mining-adjacent companies find workable solutions to problems ranging from how best to incorporate environmental protection and awareness requirements at the mine site, how to engage in successful stakeholder consultation processes (especially when rights and title are involved), and how to support local communities throughout the mine lifecycle.
“CIM is an organization built on the concept of collaboration,” explains Angela Hamlyn, CEO of CIM. "We want to take this opportunity to bring the mining industry and Indigenous communities together to cultivate knowledge and best practices. We believe that supporting reconciliation will help the industry evolve responsibly.”
The first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will be observed on September 30, 2021 and is one of 94 recommendations laid out in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report, Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future.
The Day is meant to honour First Nations, Inuit, and Métis survivors, their families, and communities. It acknowledges that commemorating the history of these peoples – and the legacy of residential school – is a fundamental part of the Indigenous reconciliation process.
The mining industry is one of the largest employers of Indigenous peoples (https://mining.ca/resources/mining-facts/). So, understanding how to create fair and appropriate opportunities for collaboration that will benefit both the industry itself and the Indigenous communities in which it operates is essential for achieving social value and successful growth.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - a conversation with Joseph Wabegijig is a step toward achieving those goals. It is an opportunity to create forums to share the perspectives and experiences of the key stakeholders in the mineral resources sector. CIM considers the contributions of indigenous communities to be instrumental in achieving ongoing success that is both inclusive and harmonious.
Additional information:
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
https://nctr.ca/records/reports/
Education Resources
Reconciliation through education
https://nctr.ca/education/
Residential Schools in Canada: A Timeline
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFgNI1lfe0A&t=0s
