TCU Place Reconciliation Action Plan – A Cultural Necessity

Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day… a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of Indigenous peoples. This is an important day for our team at TCU Place because we have committed to our Reconciliation Journey with a robust action plan, and we feel part of the process this year. 

TCU Place is committed to developing and sustaining positive relationships with local Indigenous people and communities. Our Indigenous Relations policy will ensure that TCU Place substantively incorporates, and proactively explores ways to continually improve upon our reconciliation with local Indigenous communities throughout a broad spectrum of our daily business activities like employing a diverse workforce that is representative of Indigenous people, training our people on Indigenous history and culture, sourcing products from Indigenous owned and operated businesses, and helping our clients weave Indigenous components into their events – like a greeting from an Elder or a land acknowledgement. 

We are finding our way on this journey one step at a time. We ask for help, we watch and we listen. We don’t have all of the answers, but we do have the heart to want to move forward together. And so, with our team, we are spending the day learning and growing together with a Blanket Exercise. The Blanket Exercise uses Indigenous methodologies to build understanding about our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada by walking through pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization and resistance. Everyone is actively involved as they step onto blankets that represent the land, and into the role of First Nations, Inuit and later Métis peoples. By engaging on an emotional and intellectual level, the Blanket Exercise effectively educates and increases empathy.

So why are do doing this? The events industry has the power to bring people together for a variety of purposes – entertainment, business meetings, conventions, celebrations, cultural activities, sports and more. Some consider this industry a “nice to have”, and I believe that we are a cultural necessity – if we do it right. We have the power to create experiences that change lives. We have the opportunity to open people’s minds to new experiences, to help them learn, grow, celebrate, and belong – fundamental human needs. And while we play this important role, we can elevate the purpose of our gatherings – and share the message about taking better care of our world. That starts with our own actions within our team and within our community. We know that actions speak louder than words, and definitely louder than policies. So we are taking action to bridge the gaps, learn the truth, understand and address ingrained biases, and to also help our clients to do the same. We know that by looking at the world through this lens, that our world becomes stronger, and our business becomes stronger. 

Life is busy. Some on our team wondered how they could afford to take half a day to learn together. And they found a way, because it’s important. And it’s important that we do it together. However you choose to spend today – may it open your mind to a brighter, more connected future. A future that we share and explore together on this path to reconciliation. For more information about the TCU Place Reconciliation Action Plan, visit our website.