National Indigenous Peoples Day was on Tuesday, June 21st and we joined our fellow Canadians in recognizing, honouring and celebrating the contributions and unique heritage and cultures of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. At ADGA, diversity, equity and inclusion are more than a policy—we are committed to learning and developing in our everyday leadership actions, recruiting and employment processes, business development practices, and community relationships.
To enhance relations with Indigenous Peoples, we have embarked on achieving the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) Committed Level, with the company-wide goal to follow through and achieve full PAR Bronze certification within the PAR program. Four of our executive members have completed Indigenous Canada studies, and we are organizing formal virtual training sessions for our managers and employees. We are strengthening community relationships with Pikwakanagan First Nation (Algonquin) and Algonquin College to seek advice on increasing Indigenous participation in ADGA business development.
Earlier in March, we signed a gift agreement with Algonquin College to elevate women and Indigenous students who have career aspirations toward security, systems and networking, applied science and environmental technology, information and communication technology, and other advanced technology studies. The ADGA Bursary will provide ten (10) $1,000 bursaries per year to students enrolled in any of the college’s School of Advanced Technology programs—for a total of 50 bursary recipients over five years.
Through these persistent and progressive steps, we want Indigenous Peoples to know we are good business partners and have a safe and inclusive working environment. Through our continued learning and informed actions, our focus is to do our part to make choices and changes that will contribute to prosperity in Indigenous communities.
We at ADGA acknowledge that our offices, located in Ottawa, Gatineau, Kingston, and Toronto, are located on unceded Anishinaabe Algonquin and Mississaugas, Huron-Wendat, and Haudenosaunee territories. We honour the Peoples of these Nations, who have lived on these territories for millennia, and whose culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. We are grateful to be able to live, learn and play on these lands. Today, and every day.
