In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR) on September 30, the McGill Desautels Faculty of Management, in collaboration with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, hosted a keynote address by Travis Seymour. As part of McGill’s Indigenous Awareness Weeks, now in its 13th year, this event underscored the urgent need to incorporate reconciliation principles within management and corporate frameworks. Seymour, a Mohawk from the Territory of Akwesasne and CEO of the First Nations Market Housing Fund, previously held influential roles with the First Nations Financial Management Board and MNP LLP, where he championed Indigenous inclusion in business and finance. His keynote underscored both the significance and the challenges of fostering Indigenous representation and leadership in Canada’s corporate landscape.
The event, which brought together approximately 50 students, staff, and faculty members, was a first in collaboration between McGill Desautels and the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Elder Mike Mitchell opened with a blessing and words of welcome, creating a reflective atmosphere. McGill Provost Christopher Manfredi then affirmed the University’s commitment to reconciliation, followed by Dean Yolande E. Chan and the Associate Provost for Indigenous Initiatives, Celeste Pedri-Spade.
In her remarks, Dean Chan emphasized the role of business education in reconciliation, stating, “We recognize the responsibility we hold in shaping the future leaders of tomorrow, and we are actively committed to ensuring this future is more inclusive, just, and equitable.” She noted that McGill Desautels has prioritized the integration of Indigenous perspectives into its curriculum, not only to equip students with market-ready skills but also to underscore that “business must be a tool for social responsibility and reconciliation.”
During his keynote, Seymour shared his journey and spoke to the corporate sector’s responsibility to make tangible strides toward reconciliation. He stressed that corporations must go beyond symbolic acknowledgments of Indigenous issues to actively incorporate Indigenous perspectives and practices, fostering genuine reconciliation. To close the event, Ojibwe artist and educator Robert Spade and his students performed an honour song and drumming, adding deep cultural significance to the shared experience.
Looking forward as McGill Desautels prepares to finalize its first Indigenous Reconciliation Plan to complement its EDI Action Plan, this event underscored the Faculty’s commitment to building ethical relations with Indigenous communities and integrating reconciliation into both curriculum and pedagogy. Throughout the 2024-25 academic year, McGill Desautels will also work toward an application for the Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) through the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, with the aim of McGill becoming the first university in Canada to receive this accreditation.
The EDI team welcomes all those interested in contributing to this vital work. To participate in the McGill Desautels Indigenous Initiatives Working Group, please contact karrie-noelle.plohman [at] mcgill.ca (Karrie-Noelle Plohman), Associate Director, EDI.
*Artwork by Mi'kmaq artist Brandon Mitchell
Article written by Karrie-Noelle Plohman, Associate Director, EDI
