Can you tell us about your background and how your indigenous heritage has shaped your journey?

What inspired you to become an advocate for indigenous rights and culture?

How do you use your platform to raise awareness about the issues and challenges faced by indigenous communities?

Can you share some of the impactful projects or initiatives you have been involved in to support and empower indigenous peoples?

In your opinion, what are some of the biggest misconceptions or stereotypes that people have about indigenous cultures, and how do you work to challenge them?

As an indigenous woman, what unique perspectives or experiences do you bring to your work as a storyteller and influencer?

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A collaborative project between Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd., Bimaadzwin, and Indigenous health policy leaders working to transform Indigenous health outcomes across Canada.

It has long been acknowledged that Canada’s Indigenous communities face health and wellness disparities compared to non-Indigenous populations, including dramatically reduced life expectancy and significantly higher rates of chronic conditions like diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These disparities are rooted in factors such as poverty, crowded and inadequate housing, food insecurity, unsanitary water, and inequitable health care access. 

Addressing these disparities in Indigenous health and wellness should be a priority for Canada. It requires collaboration, innovation, and commitment between communities, the private, public and philanthropic groups, and government. And that’s exactly how Boehringer Ingelheim Canada is leading by example in funding health pilot projects as part of its PATHWAYS — Indigenous Health Collaborations commitment. It’s not just about the impact today, but the impact for generations to come. 

Indigenous-informed and Indigenous-led 

PATHWAYS is a collaboration between a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim Canada, Bimaadzwin (an Indigenous-led consulting and policy group), and Indigenous health policy leaders from across Canada. Its creation was spurred to address the lack of formal Indigenous health policy in Canada.

“The PATHWAYS framework was developed in 2018 in order to advance collaboration between Indigenous communities, private, public and philanthropic groups, and government to address Indigenous health care disparities and promote wellness,” says Mehmood Alibhai, Head of Government Affairs at Boehringer Ingelheim Canada. “The framework is an ethical, principled approach to engaging Indigenous communities in Indigenous community-led health care solutions.”

Using the framework as its guide, Boehringer Ingelheim Canada established an innovative health project fund to provide Indigenous communities with access to resources for community-driven health and wellness pilot projects to address type 2 diabetes, COPD, and interstitial lung disease. 

“It’s critical to acknowledge that all the pilots we support are not linked to our medications  ,” says Alibhai. “They must be devoid of any pharmaceutical and directed specifically at addressing the health care gap that the Indigenous community has identified.” 

Empowering Indigenous communities   

“Our mission is clear — we want to help close the health gap while focusing on relationship-building and a positive, sustainable future for all partners,” says Keith Leclaire, a Mohawk from the Kahnawake First Nation and Advisory Circle Chair for PATHWAYS. “We’re aiming to build relationships between communities, the private sector, and other partners through involvement in Indigenous-led health initiatives.”

We want to help close the health gap while focusing on relationship-building and a positive, sustainable future for all partners.

In empowering the Indigenous communities to identify and address the health care issues most impacting them, PATHWAYS is effectively advancing the idea of health and wellness from an Indigenous lens. And so far, it’s working.

From improving diabetes care throughout the Nuu-chah-nulth Nations in B.C. to expanding the application of virtual health care technology for Maskwacis residents in Alberta and beyond, PATHWAYS’ first four pilot projects have had an impressive impact on the communities served.    

“All of the initial sites rated their involvement with PATHWAYS as positive and requested to extend their partnership,” says Leclaire. 

PATHWAYS has since added another four projects to its roster and has big plans for the future. “Our focus now is on scalability,” says Leclaire. “With sustainability being the ultimate goal.”

To learn more about PATHWAYS, visit IndigenousHealthPathways.ca.

This article was sponsored by a leading research-based pharmaceutical company.

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Terri-Lynn Woods

Manager of Indigenous Engagement and Special Projects, OCNI

Nuclear innovation in New Brunswick is providing opportunity for Indigenous communities.

There’s an advanced reactor development program happening now in New Brunswick supporting two innovative advanced small modular reactors (SMRs). Implementation of this program will lead to significant technological innovations in the field of advanced small modular reactors. The success of this New Brunswick endeavour is positioned to blaze a trail for the rest of Canada — and the world — in the integration of SMR technology into a diverse and sustainable energy supply for the future. Beyond the considerable technological and environmental potential of this program, it also represents a profound economic opportunity for New Brunswick communities from equity to business development, particularly smaller and Indigenous-owned enterprises.

Embracing relationship building

“The type of supply chain opportunities available extends far beyond technical roles,” says Terri-Lynn Woods, Manager of Indigenous Engagement and Special Projects at the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI). “In addition to engineering and manufacturing, there are prospects in areas like construction, consulting, transportation, food and beverage, and human resources. This presents a remarkable opportunity for First Nations owned organizations in New Brunswick to actively participate in economic reconciliation and inclusion. It enables First Nations and Indigenous peoples to engage in the industry in a way that is meaningful to them”.

“Indigenous communities in New Brunswick have expressed a desire to participate, and not only in the supply chain,” says Emily Whetung-MacInnes, Chief Emerita of Curve Lake First Nation and OCNI’s Senior Indigenous Advisor. “They want to be owners of reactors and to actively play a part in the economy of SMRs. They want to get in on the ground floor at a First Nation level and they want to make room in the supply chain at an entrepreneurial level for community members.”

Meaningful opportunities for Indigenous communities

Central to the idea of economic reconciliation is that the jobs and wealth created by implementing programs like the advanced reactor development program grow and empower Indigenous businesses and support leadership growth and Indigenous decision making. OCNI’s Ready4SMR program — in direct alignment with its Ready4Reconciliation program — is designed to bring businesses in on the ground floor and support them through the certification process to become qualified providers in the supply chain of this heavily regulated industry. Certification with ISO or CSA can be the first step to Indigenous businesses participating, benefiting, and shaping the course of future development, unlocking the doors to even the most ambitious of goals.

Indigenous communities in New Brunswick have an opportunity to lead the way in SMR innovation and to showcase a gold standard of Indigenous engagement and economic reconciliation for the rest of the nation. “It’s encouraging to see that OCNI member organizations like Moltex, ARC Clean Technology, and utility partner NB Power have taken proactive steps to involve First Nations in conversations from the start of SMR development, showing their commitment to inclusivity and collaboration” says Woods.

As we hear from Jim Ward, General Manager, North Shore Mik’maq Tribal Council, “We have a sustainable and equitable future to build, and the foundation of that future is a robust low-carbon power supply and a strong Indigenous economy. We can lay that foundation over time with building and sustaining trusting relationships.”

Visit ocni.ca to learn more about the Ready4SMR program.

Interested businesses seeking information on SMR and nuclear supply chain opportunities in New Brunswick and across Canada can complete this form for further information.

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Mitacs’s commitment to empowering Canadian innovation through effective partnerships includes a dedication to Indigenous innovation.

For over 20 years, the Canadian non-profit Mitacs has assisted organizations in reaching their business goals, funded cutting-edge innovation, and created job opportunities for students and post-docs.  Mitacs partners with research talent, organizations, and government to support innovation in a wide range of sectors and fields, everything from STEM to social innovation.

Mitacs believes that a successful and prosperous Canada is directly linked to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and accordingly is committed to supporting EDI. Mitacs’s Inclusive Innovation Action Plan (3IAP), a new initiative launched in 2023, provides a set of working goals and guidelines to empower and align teams across the organization in their work to promote inclusive innovation.

A commitment to EDI   

Mitacs has a strong commitment to supporting EDI across the organization and also working with our partners in post-secondary institutions and industry to create more equitable access for a wide range of equity-deserving groups,” says David Plamondon, Senior Advisor of Indigenous Relations and Initiatives at Mitacs. Plamondon’s role focuses on helping address inequalities for Indigenous peoples in terms of accessing the research and innovation ecosystem, as well as guiding Mitacs through its journey in decolonization and being an active ally and actor in the Indigenous space.

Our commitment to EDI is part of our corporate values and core culture.

EDI is an integral component of the organization’s mission. “Our commitment to EDI is part of our corporate values and core culture that we want to build in recognizing the value of having a diverse workforce, but also creating better access for students across a variety of industries,” says Plamondon. “We want to be at the forefront of driving EDI across different industries.”

Working together    

To facilitate this work, Mitacs recently launched a broad five-year strategic plan, which its shorter-term 3IAP complements. The plan introduces Mitacs’s ambitious EDI commitment, which encompasses the onboarding of a new team that includes Plamondon.

Through various initiatives aimed at empowering Indigenous voices, Mitacs is having a powerful impact on Indigenous innovation, reducing barriers for Indigenous peoples, and creating opportunities for Indigenous talent to partner with the organization. One way includes Mitacs’s Indigenous Pathways initiative. This helps Indigenous businesses find the right academic talent to achieve their innovation goals via a strong financial commitment of 75 per cent co-funding. Mitacs is also focused on creating more capacity-building and awareness of opportunities for younger students, including through its partnership with Let’s Talk Science.

From formal partnerships with research talent and industry to more grassroots collaborations, including important partnerships with Pow Wow Pitch and the Yukon First Nations Chamber of Commerce, Mitacs’s focus is always on collaboration and mobilizing talent. “Through our partnerships, we’re aiming to help better serve the equity-deserving groups,” says Plamondon. 

Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science Unite to Protect BC Caribou

Mateen Hessami 

Wildlife Ecologist, Kelowna, BC

By facilitating a three-day workshop, researcher Mateen Hassami brought together Splatsin Elders, council members, and community hunters together with federal and provincial government caribou experts, conservation officers, and academics to share traditional knowledge and learnings. The result was rich discussion of Indigenous knowledge, values, and future visions related to protecting caribou and the opportunity to share these insights with key decision makers.

Mitacs was the thread that wove us together and made the opportunity for discussion possible.

“Splatsin are leaders in caribou recovery, dedicated to the recovery of endangered caribou populations within their traditional territory so it’s important that their voice is heard at the table. Mitacs was the thread that wove us together and made the opportunity for discussion possible. They were integral in building an important linkage between an Indigenous community, a university, and a research institute,” says Hessami. 

Learn more at discover.mitacs.ca/indigenous.

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Paula Oness

Founder, Mind Over Everything

Futurpreneur is dedicated to supporting young Indigenous entrepreneurs between 18 to 39 through financing, expert mentorship, and access to business resources.

Futurpreneur has been fueling the entrepreneurial passions of Canada’s young enterprise for over two decades. “We’re the only national non-profit organization that provides early-stage  financing, mentorship, and business resources to aspiring entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39 so that they can launch successful businesses,” says Melissa Gladue, Business Development Manager, Indigenous Entrepeneur Startup Program at Futurpreneur. 

Founded in 1996 as a way of giving Canadian youth the opportunity to realize their amazing business ideas and become their own bosses, since its inception the organization has supported over 17,700 diverse young entrepreneurs, helped launch over 13,900 businesses covering every province and territory, and provided over $200 million in capital alongside one-on-one mentorship. 

Supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs 

Recognizing the barriers faced by Indigenous businesses, Futurpreneur launched its Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program in 2019 to support Indigenous entrepreneurs specifically. 

“Due to significant financial hurdles in accessing banking services and capital, many Indigenous people turn to predatory lending institutions” says Gladue. “There is a lack of educational services in the ecosystem that address Indigenous financial resiliency. Futurpreneur is addressing this barrier with The Ohpikiwin Series, our Indigenous business and credit knowledge workshops. Other issues include discrimination and bias within institutions such as banks and education” 

We have a dedicated team of eight Indigenous staff members who all have lived experience and a passion for helping Indigenous youth to thrive in the business world.

The team at Futurpreneur is committed to providing the necessary supports to address and overcome these barriers. “We have a dedicated team of eight Indigenous staff members who all have lived experience and a passion for helping Indigenous youth to thrive in the business world,” says Gladue.

Providing peace of mind 

The financing provided by Futurpreneur is up to $60,000 and collateral-free. The organization also provides resources and programs focused on financial empowerment and literacy, including templates for business plans and cash flow analysis. Futurpreneur’s internationally recognized mentoring program hand matches young entrepreneurs with a business expert from a network of more than 2,600 volunteer mentors, ensuring they’re on the right path to success. 

One of the young entrepreneurs Futurpreneur helped support is Paula Oness, a Métis woman and founder of Mind Over Everything (mindovereverything.ca), a clinical hypnotherapy practice that helps its clients to form new habits, find purpose, and attract success. 

“It’s great to have peace of mind knowing that I can fund my business goals thanks to Futurpreneur,” says Oness. “What I wasn’t expecting was how incredible and valuable the mentorship would be. Now that I have the right people in my corner and the finances to back me, it feels like I no longer have barriers. Futurpreneur can change your life!” 

If you’re a young Indigenous entrepreneur with a big idea, Futurpreneur can help. Get connected with a dedicated team member at futurpreneur.ca/en/ipm. 

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Sarah Favel

Senior Manager, Sustainability

CN continually works to be an employer of choice, looking at initiatives and programs to ensure Indigenous talent is growing at CN.

For over 100 years, CN has connected communities across Canada and the U.S., moving the economy and enabling trade. From the generations of railroading families who have built its legacy to new employees who make up the fabric of a diverse, innovative, and evolving workforce, CN’s people are key to building the company’s sustainable and successful future.

An employer of choice

Delivering Responsibly is at the heart of how CN is building for a sustainable future. It means moving their customer’s goods safely and efficiently, being environmentally responsible, attracting and developing the best railroaders, helping build safer, stronger communities, while adhering to the highest governance standards. CN is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment —  ensuring every employee is welcomed for their contribution and uniqueness — innovation, and talent development.  CN provides industry-leading compensation, health, and benefits. 

This makes the Company an employer of choice for a diverse range of team members, including Indigenous talent. “Some of the key factors that contribute to making CN a great place to work include career development, challenging and rewarding work, safety and well-being, competitive compensation and benefits, and diversity and inclusion,” says Landon Morrison, Supervisor of Mechanical Car Shop, Prince George, who has been with CN for 12 years and is a member of Liard River First Nation. “CN also has programs and initiatives aimed at increasing Indigenous representation within its workforce, including targeted recruitment strategies, partnerships with Indigenous organizations, and training and development opportunities.”

Walking the talk

Sarah Favel, Senior Manager of Sustainability at CN, is just two months into her employment at the Company but echoes Morrison’s sentiments. As a Status First Nation from Poundmaker Cree Nation, she appreciates that the team at CN walks the talk.

“What’s clear when working at CN is that the company is committed to trying to understand its role in reconciliation and how it can best support Indigenous communities across its network,” says Favel. “When you have a diverse background, you want to work somewhere where you can see people living the values and that’s something CN has done a great job at — taking the values off the wall and putting them into practice.”

CN is currently hiring for a variety of roles, including in operations, IT, and corporate functions. It also offers rewarding internship roles, which are open to full-time students majoring in applicable fields who have completed at least one year in their program of choice.

At CN, you’ll find a dynamic, innovative, and diverse work environment where you can feel supported, grow to your full potential, and be recognized for your contribution. 

To learn more, visit cn.ca/careers.

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The Métis Nation, known for its resilience, is advancing self-government legislation to affirm Métis rights and foster reconciliation.

Once known as “Canada’s forgotten people,” the story of the Métis people is one of resistance and resilience. In recent years, the Métis have been writing a new chapter in our story with Canada based on recognition, respect, and reconciliation. 

For generations, the Métis have come together to protect and fight for our rights, and ongoing existence as a distinct Indigenous people and nation. The Métis National Council (MNC) was formed in 1983 as a national organization bringing together regional Métis governments to champion Métis rights with Parliament, including the right to self-determination and self-government. For decades, the denial of Métis rights and the legal gap in federal policies and programs related to the Métis directly impacted our people and our governance structures. But we have continued to persevere by coming together to fight to have our rights recognized.

For generations, the Métis have come together to protect and fight for our rights, and ongoing existence as a distinct Indigenous people and nation. 

Since our founding in 1993, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) has always been clear: we are a Métis government. But at the time, Métis rights from Ontario-westward were completely denied, impeding our ability to exercise our way of life. Métis harvesters looking to provide food for their families were charged with poaching and illegal fishing. In the face of these injustices, Métis leaders and harvesters turned to the courts and began the Métis Nation’s hunt for justice.

As part of the hunt for justice, the MNO supported Steve and Roddy Powley — two Métis harvesters from the historic Sault Ste. Marie Métis community — after they were charged with illegally hunting a moose for sustenance in 1993. The Powley Case was advanced based on Métis rights and the promise in the Constitution to the Métis as a distinct Indigenous people.

After ten years, four levels of court, and fourteen judges, the Supreme Court unanimously affirmed in 2003 that, as members of the Sault Ste. Marie Métis community, the Powleys held Section 35 Métis rights to harvest for food. Through this decision, the Supreme Court established the legal test, commonly referred to as the Powley Test, to determine Métis rights and affirmed that these rights are not “less than” those of other Indigenous peoples, confirming “the status of Métis people as full-fledged rights-bearers.” Subsequently, the Supreme Court urged governments to negotiate with the Métis. The Powley Case was a victory for all Métis from Ontario-westward, but we have had to continue to push for rights recognition with other governments.  

This February, Canada and the MNO signed a Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Agreement, building on a previous agreement signed in 2019 and formal negotiations that began in 2017. Our 2019 Self-Government Agreement immediately recognized our self-government rights and set out a process for how our current governance structures would transition to a Métis Government formally recognized in federal law. This included a commitment by Canada to pass upfront implementation legislation. 

In 2023, when we signed the updated Self-Government Implementation Agreement with Canada, we ensured that it included a renewed commitment — this time legally binding — for Canada to introduce this legislation “as soon as possible” after the agreement was signed.

Federal recognition legislation establishes a legal framework for recognizing and affirming the rights, jurisdiction, and self-determination of Métis governments, including the MNO. Achieving this is essential for Métis people as it formally acknowledges our distinct identity and establishes a mechanism for Métis governments to exercise our inherent rights on our own terms. Our Self-Government Agreement and legislation only impact Métis people, they do not have any impacts on First Nations, Inuit, or any other Canadians. This is legislation for us, that we have been working towards for generations.

The swift introduction and passage of this legislation will provide a clear path for the MNO to transform into a recognized Indigenous government. This means regaining control of matters that directly affect Métis communities, such as child protective services, and co-developing federal policies, programs, and legislation. This is instrumental to addressing historical injustices, promoting reconciliation, and fostering stronger, more equitable nation-to-nation relationships with the Métis. 

2023 marks the 40th anniversary of the MNC, the 30th anniversary of the founding of the MNO, and the 20th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in the landmark Métis rights case, R. v. Powley. Collectively, these milestones have contributed to the ongoing journey of the Métis people toward self-determination, cultural preservation, and the recognition of our unique role within the Canadian fabric. But there is one more milestone we need to meet to celebrate this year. Federal recognition legislation is a critical next step for our people. We are calling on the Parliament of Canada to swiftly introduce and pass Métis self-government recognition and implementation legislation. 

Learn more at metisnation.org/governance/self-government.

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