This episode on decolonizing HR and indigenous inclusion was by request! I was totally on board. I recently took the Indigenous Canada MOOC (massive open online course) and it was fascinating and inspiring.
So I reached out to Gillian Hynes who works for Rise, an indigenous-owned consulting group advancing reconciliation and indigenous inclusion. Here are a few highlights:
- Decolonization is about inclusion and truth through reconciliation and relationships.
- It starts with the individual.
- There are many colonial practices in HR. For example, many benefits are based on Western medicine, and our definition of "family" for bereavement leave is often narrow.
- A lot of the changes will benefit all employees - especially as we get more diverse overall.
- HR has the power to make a difference by helping decide what the problem is and what the solution might be.
It's fascinating and challenging stuff. But I didn't find it overwhelming - hopefully you don't either.
Find Gillian at http://www.riseconsultingltd.ca/ Find Andrea at http://www.thehrhub.ca