Hello friends. It’s your favourite weirdo, Erin Patchell, and this is Weirdos in the Workplace, where we discuss authenticity, transparency, passion and purpose and their impact in the world of work.
Today, we delve into a topic that isn't just about recognition but about active change. We're discussing truth and reconciliation, particularly as it relates to businesses like ours.
“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” Martin Luther King Jr. once said that. In a world where the winds of change are strong, silence is no longer an option, especially for those of us in positions of power and influence.
Stay tuned.
[Intro Music]
Let's begin by grounding ourselves.
Every day, we confront the truth that our company operates on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabek Nation. This acknowledgment demands us to reckon with the profound impact of colonization on Indigenous peoples across this country, also known as Turtle Island. We recognize that our presence here is a result of a history that saw dispossession, erasure, and systemic injustice inflicted upon the original caretakers of this land.
In acknowledging our colonial ancestry, we are acutely aware of the responsibility we bear in addressing the wrongs of the past and striving for a just future. We acknowledge that the path to reconciliation is long and complex, requiring both humility and courage. We are committed to dismantling the colonial frameworks that have perpetuated inequality and we’re committed to amplifying Indigenous voices and perspectives.
Our commitment extends beyond words. We are driven to actively learn from Indigenous communities, acknowledging their sovereign knowledge systems and the deep wisdom they offer. We are resolute in supporting initiatives that uplift Indigenous cultural resurgence, land stewardship, and self-determination.
This acknowledgement is a reminder that our work is entwined with the quest for justice, healing, and transformation. We seek to continuously improve our position so we may stand stronger with Indigenous peoples as allies, recognizing that the pursuit of equity, respect, and collaboration must guide our every action.
This acknowledgement is intended to propel us towards a future where we honor the land, honor the people, and honor the truth of our shared history, as painful as that is sometimes. We will work collectively to rectify the past, to forge new relationships, and to co-create a world that celebrates the richness of Indigenous cultures.
What I just read to you is the position statement from my company, Positivist Group.
And if you've followed us for a while, I hope you know that these are never just words on paper - not to me and not to any of my colleagues or partners. But, every vision starts with a little bit of magic and mysticism; it’s not perfectly real yet - it only becomes real when we make it real. And it only continues to be real, if we continue to nurture it and feed it and grow it. Like anything, really.
I’m working from a still very limited understanding. I still don’t completely know what I don’t know, when it comes to serving and supporting my Indigenous friends and neighbours. And sometimes it’s hard to know who to ask - I never want to put the burden of teaching on a person who may not have the capacity for it. At the bottom of this podcast script, I will be adding numerous links to resources, so if you’re like me and you’re interested in learning more there are some easy access opportunities at the bottom.
And today I’ll talk about a few things as well even if it’s through my more limited perspective, I have learned a few things that might help you, too, as you’re seeking to support our Indigenous friends..
But first, I want you to imagine a world crafted to benefit only a select few. A narrow persona that is glorified with any deviation from that standard becomes inferior. That’s the colonial mindset. From the languages we speak to the ways we conduct business, whether we like it or not, if you know anything about history you know that our world has been sculpted by it. Recognizing this is the first step.
Despite attempts to deconstruct this narrative, colonial structures and mindsets remain and the more I learn and observe, the truly systemic nature of this becomes more and more obvious. Sometimes the words that come out of my own mouth, from the jokes that I make to the reactions to my kids’ behaviour, when I observe them from a third party perspective, I recognize the deeply buried racism, sexism and ableism that skews my thoughts and actions - and am a woman who has a developmental and physical disability and so coming from me, the sexism and ableism is soemtimes shocking. It feels like I should know better, and for someone who is trying to walk a path of increasing humility, justice and righteousness, it’s always a little bit disappointing when I notice these feelings come up. I wonder how many have I missed?
Our colonial frameworks are everywhere - from our personal, professional and corporate values, the way we structure our time and energy, the way we teach our children, the way our government is structured and functions… it’s pervasive, and when I look at it, it almost seems like a game of jenga. The trick is to dismantle this without the jenga pieces crashing to the ground. We’ve been carefully removing those inner pieces of the jenga tower, but the structural integrity of the tower is still strong. Is it enough? When will it be enough?
I mean, right now, these questions are irrelevant because there’s still so much work we can do and things we ourselves can control. As business owners and business leaders, you have so much more influence in this conversation than many others do. It’s our duty and responsibility, as far as I’m concerned, to use our privilege to lift people up.
We can take inspiration from many Indigenous stories and philosophies that echo ancient wisdom and lessons from the land. Within these tales lies an unwavering emphasis on unity, an innate respect of nature, and an insightful understanding of the interconnectedness of all life; the complexity of the human condition. It’s a worldview that envisions humanity not as dominators of the earth but as humble co-inhabitants, valuing every strand in the web of existence.
In a modern era dominated by corporate-driven motives and capitalistic pursuits, these Indigenous insights offer not just a critique but a guiding light. They present a vision where success isn't measured solely by profit margins but by the harmony one creates with their surroundings. These narratives remind us that there's more to life than relentless competition and individualistic ambitions, but that both of these things have a place in life as well.
This brings us to the heart of the matter: values. Our values serve as the compass guiding our actions, decisions, and interactions. They're the pillars upon which our purpose stands, shaping the path we tread in the world. We all need to ask: "Why do I do what I do? What drives me forward each day? What kind of legacy do I wish to leave behind?"
Viktor E. Frankl, a renowned neurologist, psychiatrist, and Holocaust survivor, once said, “Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.” This sentiment beckons us to lead a purpose-driven life, one that resonates with depth and authenticity. When our actions stem from values aligned with a larger purpose, we not only achieve success but also fulfillment and a s ense of genuine contribution to the world.
We must continually revisit and refine our purpose and strive to create a world where profit and purpose harmoniously coexist.
And while I’m still learning to turn these values into action there are a few ways that I can help personally that I think greatly supports my clients and I hope will help you a little bit as well. I’m talking about financial stability, equitable procurement, and building inclusive teams.
The first - financial stability. When organizations are financially stable, they can begin to invest more money into their purpose related goals. When working with my clients, financial stability and financial growth is usually the top goal, because without it you have no business in the first place. Once you are profitable, you can lean more heavily into your purpose and begin measuring progress toward your goals, whether connected to the UNs 17 Sustainable Development Goals, the 93 calls to action, or other frameworks, will establish your business as an ally and make real progressive change.
Another big step is equitable procurement. By intentionally hiring Indigenous makers and supporting Indigenous-owned businesses and other diverse suppliers, small and medium sized businesses, we challenge the norms, empowering communities that were once sidelined. This enriches our businesses and our government with diverse perspectives. My company, Positivist Group, advises organizations on the governance, policy and practices around equitable procurement, and provides project-based advice to ensure an RFP or supply arrangement is going to tender in a way that is competitive for all organizations. It’s been my personal experience that small and medium sized businesses are totally capable of competing with larger national and multinational corporations and often have a stronger value for dollar, and far superior customer experience and delivery. Yet often procurement processes are designed - intentionally designed - in such a way that makes it impossible for them to compete. This is something that I personally want to burn down and rebuild.
The third, building inclusive teams. What comes first - diversity or inclusion? If your team isn’t diverse, then it’s certainly not inclusive. But if your team isn’t inclusive, can it ever sustain diversity? This is one of the classic conundrums of our times. In practice, it’s never one or the other, it’s a practice of developing your governance and practices around recruiting, training and developing people, and learning how to value the diverse spectrum of human capacities and personalities. It’s harder than building a team of people who think and act alike or who are content with merely following orders, but your results won’t be nearly as robust or interesting or valuable.
To end, here’s a thought for all the entrepreneurs and leaders tuning in. When you stepped into leadership, you unknowingly took responsibility for every action, every decision, every win, and every failure of your team. It’s not just business. It’s personal. And this includes acknowledging their history, their truths, and their futures.
Thank you for tuning in. Remember to keep exploring those twists and turns of our weird and wonderful world. If you’ve heard anything that has resonated with you today, or if you have something to teach me so I can do better next time, please feel free to send me an email at erin@positivist.ca or PM me on any of the social platforms - you can find me at Erin Patchell.
Until next time, stay weird, stay wonderful, and don’t stay out of trouble.
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Learning Resources:
4 Seasons of Reconciliation Course for Entrepreneurs (BDC)
Government of Canada Learning Resources
Lakehead University, list of resources for educators
Assembly of First Nations, list of educational resources
Indigenous Canada - Free Online Course, University of Alberta
