Pearson Canada acknowledges the history of the land on which we all gather; it is a combination of treaty and traditional unceded territory, and Métis homeland. We acknowledge the many Inuit, Métis, and First Nations whose footsteps have marked the land where each of you currently resides or are visiting. We also recognize the land as an act of reconciliation and gratitude.
Pearson Canada’s Response to Truth and Reconciliation
Pearson Canada acknowledges the responsibility of responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action and the importance of developing and implementing a national corporate action plan guided and supported by Indigenous Advisors.
This site provides additional information about our journey thus far.
Our Journey
In 2019, members from Pearson Canada Higher Education and School Division Content Development teams met to discuss how to authentically and appropriately include Indigenous voices and perspectives into Pearson’s resources. This meeting resulted in a decision to form an internal Truth and Reconciliation Circle to respond to Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
In the fall of 2020, Pearson Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Circle established four goals (listed below) and after much research, invited eight Indigenous leaders (First Nation, Inuit, and Métis) to become part of an Indigenous Advisory Circle to help Pearson Canada develop an Action Plan for Reconciliation.
The members of the Truth and Reconciliation Circle have been meeting regularly to establish ways of working that will support Pearson’s response to the Calls of Action by integrating Indigenous truths, perspectives, and traditional knowledge into the organization with an emphasis on the following:
- Leadership: provide all Pearson employees with access to Indigenous education and learning to ensure Indigenous traditional knowledge and perspectives are embedded into the organization and its policies, practices, procedures, and published content.
- Employment via Human Resources: review staffing practices, policies, and procedures to enhance Indigenous Peoples’ access to employment opportunities within Pearson.
- Community Relations and Engagement: cultivate and strengthen relationships with Indigenous Peoples and communities, organizations, businesses, and individuals to develop employee engagement opportunities, activities, and events.
- Community Investment: build connections and strengthen external and internal partnerships and relationships with Indigenous Peoples and communities.
The four goals of the action plan and its implementation, as guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Circle of advisors, are the following:
- Build knowledge and appreciation of Indigenous histories, cultures, and perspectives;
- build a diverse and inclusive professional culture with open and transparent communication;
- be transparent and accountable for Pearson’s participation in Truth and Reconciliation; and
- continue a journey towards true reconciliation, with a focus on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action #92:
- We call upon the corporate sector in Canada to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a reconciliation framework and to apply its principles, norms, and standards to corporate policy and core operational activities involving Indigenous Peoples and their lands and resources. This would include, but not be limited to, the following:
i. Commit to meaningful consultation, building respectful relationships, and obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples before proceeding with economic development projects.
ii. Ensure that Aboriginal Peoples have equitable access to jobs, training, and education opportunities in the corporate sector, and that Aboriginal communities gain long-term sustainable benefits from economic development projects.
iii. Provide education for management and staff on the history of Aboriginal Peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.
The proposed action plan was fine-tuned in 2021 and presented to Pearson Canada’s Senior Administration at the end of that year. Phase 1 implementation of the action plan began in 2022 and continues in 2023.
Pearson Canada is listening, learning, and reflecting.
Submit your comments, suggestions, and stories here.
Pearson Canada is listening, learning and reflecting.