Indigenous Relations
Indigenous Knowledge & Economic Partnerships
Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program
The Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program provides mental health, emotional, and cultural support services to eligible former Indian Residential School students and their families.
Provide support to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.
Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program (IESP)
Futurpreneur empowers aspiring young Indigenous entrepreneurs on their journey to success. The Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program (IESP) provides start-up loan financing and up to two years of mentorship, supported by a team with lived experience, offering access to tools and networking.
Indigenous Reconciliation and Connectivity Report – Telus (November 2023)
4 Seasons of Reconciliation
Through a partnership with BDC, Canadian business owners have free access to the “4 Seasons of Reconciliation” training by the First Nations University of Canada that provides the foundational knowledge on the relationship between Canada, Indigenous Peoples, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
4 Seasons of Reconciliation provides foundational knowledge on the relationship between Canada, Indigenous Peoples, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). It promotes a renewed relationship between Indigenous Peoples and Canadians through transformative learning about truth and reconciliation.
To Register and view more details, click here
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
At the NCTR, survivors, their families, educators, researchers and the public can examine the residential school system more deeply with the goal of fostering reconciliation and healing.
Learn more
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Reports
Read the TRC’s 94 calls to action, final report and more.
Learn more
A Conversation with Justice Murray Sinclair – Sept 25, 2021
Listen to Rosanna Deerchild sit down with Justice Murray Sinclair to reflect on our journey to reconciliation.
Learn more
A Conversation with Senator Murray Sinclair
Broadcast in 2016, Senator Murray Sinclair discusses the role of commissions in Canada.
Learn more
Residential School Map
An interactive map of residential schools and TRC events in Canada. The map is updated regularly as more research is complete.
Learn more
Native-Land.ca
An interactive map to find out more about local Indigenous territories and languages.
Learn more
A Surrey Business Leadership Learning Series
(This series took place in the Spring of 2021. Another series will be held at a later date.)
Indigenous knowledge and economic partnerships are increasingly one of the key priorities in Canada today, as we all continue on the path towards Reconciliation and the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
This provides both opportunities and risks for businesses as well. Both require an understanding of the history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and BC and the contemporary landscape of Indigenous Relations.
In recognition of this, the Surrey Board of Trade has contracted the team of Lyle Viereck Consulting Services Inc., SB Communications & Public Affairs Ltd., and C. Marshal and Associates to offer (Free) Digital Surrey Business Leadership Learning Series:
Module 1 – The Uncomfortable Truth – Colonization in Canada
This introductory session will include:
- terminology and definitions;
- the history of Indigenous-Crown Relations;
- the Indian Act, 1876;
- overview of membership, land, and governance; and
- the history and legacy of residential schools
*Note: This module must be taken prior to the other two.
The modules are meant to be taken as a series. Once registered for one of the Module 1 sessions,
all participants will be automatically registered for Modules 2 & 3.
**Important – These sessions will not be recorded and made available after. Please save the dates and times in your calendar to benefit from these learning opportunities.
Module 2 – Reconciliation and Building a New Future and Relationships – the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
This module will cover the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action, the UNDRIP, and why both are important to businesses. It will also include background on each of the First Nations in the Lower Mainland.
Module 3 – How to Build Sustainable Business Relationships with Indigenous Peoples and the Tools and Action Items that You Need
The final session will cover such items as “best practices” in community engagement, business development, protocols (including for Indigenous employees, contractors, businesses, and entrepreneurs), and meeting Corporate Social Responsibility requirements. Participants will also receive Action Plans and Tools to help them in these and other activities with Indigenous Peoples.
