Indigenous Advisory Committee Guides Economic Reconciliation Initiative

(TORONTO– September 20, 2023) – Today, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) released the following statement to announce the formation of an Indigenous Advisory Committee which will provide strategic guidance and direction for the organizations’ Economic Reconciliation Initiative:

“Earlier this year, we announced a partnership with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business aimed at advancing economic reconciliation by building business capacity to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 92,” said Sara Beyer, Committee Co-Chair and Senior Policy Advisor, OCC. “We are extremely grateful to these eight Indigenous leaders who bring a diverse range of experience and expertise and have committed to advising this work to help produce meaningful outcomes for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses.”

Under the Committee’s guidance, the Initiative will involve engagement with Indigenous businesses, communities, and OCC and CCAB members to inform a series of practical resources to contextualize the role of businesses in advancing reconciliation, promote existing resources, and showcase best practices in Indigenous partnership building across Ontario. The Committee is comprised of the following members:

• Chelsea Combot, Director of Policy and Government Relations, Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres
• Kevin Eshkawkogan, President and Chief Executive Officer, Indigenous Tourism Ontario
• Sarabeth Holden, Owner, Red Tape Brewery
• Christopher Lefebvre, Principal, Bawaadan Consulting Inc.
• Tracy Primeau, Founder and Principal, Agile Bear Consulting
• Jason Rasevych, Partner, National Indigenous Client Services Lead, Deloitte
• Brittney Sault, Relationship Manager, Indigenous Trust Services, CIBC
• Sean Vanderklis, Director, Business Development, Indigenous Markets, Meridian

“The Committee will play a crucial role in the planning and design of the Initiative’s resources, which will employ a two-focused approach of awareness-building and active engagement,” said Matthew Foss, Committee Co-Chair and VP, Research and Public Policy, CCAB. “We are excited to have this talented group of Indigenous leaders to shape and guide this work.”

The OCC recognizes that as a settler organization, we have a responsibility to take on this work and that reconciliation is an ongoing process of learning and action. We look forward to continuing to build on this initiative in the future.

Thank you to our Lead Partners, Hydro One, BMO, Bruce Power, CN, and our Supporting Partners Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and Ontario Power Generation. To learn more or get involved, contact Sara Beyer, Senior Policy Analyst, OCC, and Andy Avgerinos, Project Manager, Research, CCAB.

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About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is the indispensable partner of business and Canada’s largest, most influential provincial chamber. It is an independent, not-for-profit advocacy and member services organization representing a diverse network of 60,000 members. The OCC’s mission is to convene, align and advance the interests of its members through principled policy work, value-added business services and broad engagement to drive competitiveness and economic growth in the province.

About the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
CCAB is committed to the full participation of Indigenous peoples in Canada’s economy. As a national, non-partisan association, its mission is to promote, strengthen and enhance a prosperous Indigenous economy through the fostering of business relationships, opportunities, and awareness.  CCAB offers knowledge, resources, and programs to its members to cultivate economic opportunities for Indigenous peoples and businesses across Canada. For more information visit www.ccab.com.

For more information, please contact:
Andrea Carmona
Manager, Public Affairs,
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
andreacarmona@occ.ca | Mobile: (647) 234-0255

Alannah Jabokwoam,
Senior Associate, Communications & Public Relations
Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
ajabokwoam@ccab.com  | Phone: (416) 961-8663 ext. 227

Resources:

• Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
• National Indigenous Economic Strategy for Canada
• Business Reconciliation in Canada Guidebook
• Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) Program