Our Commitment to Truth + Reconciliation

At Changemark, we are committed to the ongoing process of Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. With gratitude, we reaffirm the work of Changemark’s head office is conducted on the unceded homelands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. With humility and gratitude, our work also takes place on sovereign Indigenous lands and traditional territories across Turtle Island.

When supporting Indigenous community-based projects, we work to embed decolonizing methodologies in our service offerings. We strive to elevate Indigenous Voices within the company and prioritize Indigenous leadership on projects and jobs that are about, for, involving Indigenous communities. We recognize the need for relationship building and community partnership, but also continue to recognize and remind ourselves how we are situated in the community. At Changemark we recognize this is our own work, and at every level of the company, we commit to doing our ongoing part to uphold the following Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) 94 Calls to Action.

Reconciliation

Canadian Governments and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Call #43. We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to fully adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the framework for reconciliation.

Business and Reconciliation

Call #92. We call upon the corporate sector in Canada to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a reconciliation framework and to apply its principles, norms, and standards to corporate policy and core operational activities involving Indigenous peoples and their lands and resources. This would include, but not be limited to, the following:

• ii) Ensure that Aboriginal peoples have equitable access to jobs, training, and education opportunities in the corporate sector, and that Aboriginal communities gain long-term sustainable benefits from economic development projects.
• iii) Provide education for management and staff on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.

Education

Call #10. We call on the federal government to draft new Aboriginal education legislation with the full participation and informed consent of Aboriginal peoples. The new legislation would include a commitment to sufficient funding and would incorporate the following principles:

• ii) Improving education attainment levels and success rates.
• iii) Developing culturally appropriate curricula.

Health

Call #18. We call upon the federal, provincial, territorial, and Aboriginal governments to acknowledge that the current state of Aboriginal health in Canada is a direct result of previous Canadian government policies, including residential schools, and to recognize and implement the health-care rights of Aboriginal people as identified in international law, constitutional law, and under the Treaties.

Call #19. We call upon the federal government, in consultation with Aboriginal peoples, to establish measurable goals to identify and close the gaps in health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities, and to publish annual progress reports and assess long-term trends. Such efforts would focus on indicators such as: infant mortality, maternal health, suicide, mental health, addictions, life expectancy, birthrates, infant and child health issues, chronic diseases, illness and injury incidence, and the availability of appropriate health services.

Call #23. We call upon all levels of government to:

• iii) Provide cultural competency training for all healthcare professionals.