If you are an Amazing Race Canada fan like me, you know that Anthony and James won this year’s race! (Definitely a fan favourite!) For those of you who don’t know, Anthony and James are a married, indigenous couple self-described as "committed to showing indigenous youth that they can be successful, while also staying committed to their cultural and spiritual ways".
After the win, James commented, "so many people don’t have an opportunity to feel included, in fact they feel excluded. So when we were racing, we were racing for all the people from those diverse communities. That is who was with us on the mat when we arrived [crossed the finish line]".
James’ statement embodies the purpose of diversity and inclusion and the importance of this subject matter.
An EDI video entitled, "Practice Part 1 - Promoting Inclusivity and Diversity and Inclusion for Indigenous Peoples" reminded me of Anthony and James’ story and the fact that we all have a part to play in being inclusive.
In the first half of the video, Roberto Aburto and co-presenter Danica Steadman review the EDI journey taken by Gowlings WLG from the early stages of fact finding, to developing policies, implementing a strategy, educating, communicating, and celebrating. Roberto comments that he looks at EDI as a "battle of inches" and every inch that we take is worthwhile.
Danica differentiated between diversity and inclusion. She comments that "’diversity is what you have" and "inclusion is what you do". If you are diverse, there can still be discrimination, so strive for inclusiveness. Overall, inclusiveness benefits everyone as it improves staff engagement, lowers attrition, retains top talent and improves client satisfaction.
The second part of the video features Senator Kim Pate speaking about increasing equality and inclusion for Indigenous Peoples. She suggests that we should NOT try to "indigenize" the process or workplace. Instead, we need to "de-colonize" our thinking. Of course, this means recognizing our bias, and trying to disrupt that bias for every marginalized people. Senator Pate shares the story of Ashley Smith, the young woman who died by self-inflicted strangulation while under a suicide watch at the Grand Valley Women’s Correctional Institution. These findings and recommendations from the inquest showcased a scary, and harmful outcome to unconscious bias.
In order to increase equality and diversity for indigenous peoples, Senator Pate encourages everyone to meet the indigenous people. Find out whose territory you are in. Ask questions about the history of the territory and its people. Finally, she states that, at the very least, we must review the Calls to Action outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation report as eventually when the United Nations’ declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples comes into force, it will impact every law and every piece of legislation.
Having watched the video, what do you think? How are you or your firm increasing diversity and, more importantly improving inclusiveness? Feel free to contact me and let me know your opinion.
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*see individual programs and jurisidictional allowances for accredited hours/requirements for Canadian law societies.