Regina, SK – Following a year of upheaval, the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce (SCC) continues its important work on the Indigenous Engagement Charter and applauds Saskatchewan business for their increased focus on Indigenous engagement despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Saskatchewan businesses are recognizing that Indigenous engagement is important not only for the growth of their organizations, but also for the province’s economy,” said Steve McLellan, CEO, Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce. “While COVID-19 has certainly been a distraction for some of our Indigenous Engagement Charter signatories, for others it allowed them to dedicate considerable time to their individual Indigenous engagement strategies. With businesses like JNE Welding, PCL, Meridian Surveys and Bit Service Company and many others encouraging staff to take Indigenous Awareness Training, we are very optimistic that more businesses are recognizing the importance of Indigenous engagement.”
Starting in 2019, the SCC embarked on several new projects to enhance Indigenous engagement for Saskatchewan businesses, including the launch of an Indigenous Engagement Charter, the creation of an Indigenous-owned business directory and offering several levels of Indigenous Awareness Training.
“The Indigenous Engagement Charter simply would not have been possible without the support of the investors, Saskatchewan businesses that stepped up to launch the charter in a big way”, said McLellan. “I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Nutrien, SaskPower, CIBC, Graham, Meridian Surveys, RBC, WorkSafe Saskatchewan, Farm Credit Canada, PCL, Cameco, and Scotiabank for their contributions.”
Sponsored by Nutrien and led by SCC Director of Indigenous Engagement Nick Crighton, the SCC’s Indigenous Awareness Training sessions are designed to inform members of the business community about the culture and history of Indigenous peoples in Saskatchewan. Current courses range from Level 1 to Level 3 with advanced courses offering an in-depth look at HR practices and cultural traditions.
With the shift to online webinars because of COVID-19 restrictions, the SCC has seen a substantial increase in registrations and is reaching a broader audience throughout Saskatchewan with their virtual offerings. In 2020, the SCC saw over 1,200 registrations for their Indigenous Awareness Training, representing over 100 businesses in the province, and issued almost 500 Certificates of Participation.
Winter 2021 dates for Indigenous Awareness Training are open for registration and can be found on our Upcoming Events webpage.
Visit our website for more information on the Indigenous Engagement Charter.
