Crowe MacKay acknowledges the land in which we are located includes Treaty 4 Territory, Treaty 6 Territory, Treaty 7 Territory, the unceded territory of the Coast Salish people of Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, and Treaty 11 Territory. We honour and respect the languages, ceremonies, and culture of the Indigenous peoples who call these territories home.

Crowe MacKay celebrates National Indigenous Day, as we honour Indigenous culture, diversity, strength, and resiliency. June is Indigenous History Month in Canada, where Indigenous peoples celebrate their ancestry, roots, culture, and are proud of their heritage. For non-Indigenous people it is a month to have conversations, educate, and engage with a significant part of Canada's history. This is a month for all of us to share in the richness of culture that is the foundation of this country.

We focus on sharing resources explaining Canada's heritage and understanding the historical impact; while the truth does not always depict humane actions, we are committed to educating ourselves. This begins with the enactment of the Indian Act in 1867, and its impact on First Nations status, culture, language, governance, and traditional practices. As a result of the Act, systematic racism has become embedded in Canadian culture and Indigenous people continue to face a number of challenges, including ongoing bias, racial injustice, and inequities in all facets of life.

While there is an emphasis placed on education, individuals also need to be committed to building relationships based on respect, transparency, and collaboration. We've begun to compile resources on Indigenous history and not for profit organizations. We encourage you to explore these resources below.

At Crowe MacKay, we are committed to listening and learning as we address our privilege to be better allies for our brothers and sisters. We will continue to work together to make inclusive decisions that support diversity and inclusion in our business practices because we believe this is how we will create lasting value. We encourage you to take the time to reflect, learn, celebrate, and honour Canada's Indigenous peoples, as we support First Nation communities in healing and flourishing.

Originally published 21 June 2020.

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