The Power of Collaboration Building Relationships Between Aboriginal Business Leaders and Corporate Canada

The Power of Collaboration
Building Relationships Between
Aboriginal Business Leaders and Corporate Canada

“The Power of Collaboration: Bridging the Gap Between Aboriginal Business Leaders and Corporate Canada,” was the first Joint Summit for the Canadian Board Diversity Council (CBDC) and Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB). In the summer 2014, CBDC initiated a conversation with the CCAB that led to a partnership between the two councils and we came together with a common goal of mutual collaboration between the Aboriginal business community and Corporate Canada. The “Power of Collaboration” Vancouver-Calgary Summits video can be viewed here.

Collaboration offers us a chance to choose. If we choose to act wisely in collaboration, we must start by thoroughly examining the differences of each side, drawing from those unique perspectives, priorities and ways of operating, not only because we were prompted to do so but also because both parties recognize the common goals in the bigger picture. Through true collaboration we are stronger together because of our differences, not in spite of them.

The conversation surrounding board governance and Aboriginal communities has only just begun, increasingly demanding a voice in the mainstream national dialogue. This is due in part to a ruling by the Supreme Court in its Tsilqot’in decision, which greatly widened the scope of Aboriginal business communities and Corporate Canada.

What does the Supreme Court decision really mean for businesses? What does corporate governance look like moving forward? What can we learn from each other? This is a prime opportunity to encourage important discussions about corporate governance and address these timely issues.

Through this Joint Summit, we attempted to do just that. By bringing together Aboriginal leaders and Corporate Canada, individuals representing some of the country’s top employers, we took our different approaches and built the bridge from both sides, working toward a common goal of equitable prosperity for all Canadians. To truly bring together these two communities, we first needed ample education and open dialogue. So, let’s start talking. Let’s start building. Let’s start to bridge the gap.

Our Recommendations to Corporate Canada and the Aboriginal business community for supporting this initiative include:

1. Facilitate communication between Aboriginal business leaders/communities and Corporate Canada;
2. Build visible networks and long-lasting partnerships;
3. Invest in post-secondary partnerships to develop the next generation of Aboriginal leaders;
4. Generate awareness and profile Aboriginal business leaders for board positions through programs such as CBDC Diversity 50, designed to help corporate directors identify board-ready diverse candidates beyond their own networks. Diversity 50 has proven to be an effective tool to boost diverse board-level representation in Corporate Canada; and,
5. Join the CBDC and CCAB to support board diversity.

Click here to view the full Report

For more information, please contact:

Paul-Emile McNab MES | Manager, Research

Canadian Board Diversity Council
180 Bloor Street West, Suite 502
Toronto, ON Canada M5S 2V6
416.361.1475 x 251
[email protected]
www.boarddiversity.ca
@diverseboards