Truth and reconciliation

Our sustainability efforts extend beyond environmental and economic considerations to include meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities. Informed by our connection to traditional Indigenous lands, we integrate truth and reconciliation into our broader sustainability framework. We address historical and ongoing injustices by building a culture of respect, collaboration, cultural healing and relationships based on reciprocity that honour Indigenous knowledge.

Guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada’s calls to action, especially in education, we recognize that true reconciliation requires restoring our relationship with the environment. As emphasized in the TRC by Elder Reg Crowshoe, "Reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians, from an Aboriginal perspective, also requires reconciliation with the natural world. If human beings resolve problems between themselves but continue to destroy the natural world, then reconciliation remains incomplete." Our actions reflect this understanding and acknowledge the deep connection between cultural healing, survival and sustainability.

We combine the strengths of Western science with Indigenous knowledge, a way of understanding the world grounded in responsibility, respect for nature and recognition of our shared connections. This approach reflects the concept of Two-Eyed Seeing, introduced by Mi’kmaq Elder Albert Marshall, which encourages viewing the world through both Indigenous and Western perspectives to achieve better outcomes by embracing diverse ways of knowing. Together, these perspectives shape a more holistic and culturally respectful response to sustainability challenges.