Back to Insights

September 30, 2025

Honouring the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

By Sagar Memon and Tony Pringle

Today marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to honour the children who never returned home, the Survivors of residential schools, and their families and communities. Public commemoration of this tragic history and recognition of its ongoing impacts are vital parts of reconciliation.

At Quinn+Partners, we pause today to reflect on our own learning journey and share some of the actions we have taken in the last year to advance reconciliation.

Our Responsibility

We recognize the responsibility outlined in Call to Action 92 of The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s final report, which urges the corporate sector to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and integrate its principles into corporate policies and operations. This includes committing to meaningful consultation, equitable economic opportunities and providing education on Indigenous history, rights and law.

To that end, we are taking practical steps to reflect on our practices, learn and act in ways that advance reconciliation. Over the past year, our team has worked to better understand Indigenous histories, cultures and perspectives, and how the lasting impacts of residential schools and ongoing inequities continue to be felt in Indigenous communities across Canada.

Our Learning Journey

We provided a team-wide training facilitated by NVision Insight Group on Indigenous Engagement and the Path Forward in Truth and Reconciliation and modules from the University of Alberta’s Indigenous Canada course. These experiences challenged us to reflect on our assumptions, our practices and how we can show up responsibly in our work.

We also welcomed Elder Chris Stock, a fifth-generation member of Wahta Mohawk Territory, to our last two annual offsite retreats to share teachings about Indigenous culture, history and language, reminding us that reconciliation is a long-term commitment grounded in relationships, respect and reciprocity.

Supporting Indigenous Communities

Learning must be paired with meaningful action. This past year, we contributed to Indigenous-led organizations, such as:

Advancing Opportunities for Indigenous Students

We are honoured to partner with the Alphonsine Lafond Fund for Innovation to co-sponsor the Alphonsine Lafond and Q+P Award for Indigenous Women in Sustainable Business at the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business. Launched in Fall 2025, this annual award supports First Nations, Inuit and Métis women in the Bachelor of Commerce program who demonstrate interest in environmentally and/or socially responsible business practices.

The award is in memory of Chief Alphonsine Lafond (1926 – 2000) of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, a trailblazer whose leadership broke barriers in her community and beyond. Elected as Chief in 1960, she was one of only eight women Chiefs in Canada and the second woman Chief in Saskatchewan. She went on to become the first First Nations woman appointed as a Justice of the Peace in 1975, the first Indigenous person elected as a provincial school board trustee representing a First Nation community and a Senator in the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations in 1992. Through this award, we hope to honour her legacy and support the next generation of Indigenous women leaders in sustainable business.

The Road Ahead

Our reconciliation journey is ongoing, and we know there is much more to do. We are committed to continuing to learn and act in ways that honour the spirit of reconciliation. This is a collective journey that requires commitment from all Canadians to ensure a lasting and positive impact on Indigenous communities. At Quinn+Partners, we remain dedicated to walking this path, learning from Indigenous voices and doing our part to help build a more just and equitable future for all.