Share this article
While “Doing Right by People” has long been Payworks’ purpose, over the last several years we’ve sharpened our focus on how that manifests within the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) space. From participation in an Employer Consortium, to ongoing staff education and celebrations, to the formation and initiatives of our employee-led DEIB Team, our goal is “to be agents of change and champions of inclusion.”
One of the ways we’re evolving into this role is by signing Winnipeg’s Indigenous Accord (WIA): “a tool in which Indigenous and non-Indigenous Winnipeggers can come together and explore reconciliation” (adopted by Winnipeg’s City Council in 2017).
On June 28, our President and CEO JP Perron signed WIA on behalf of Payworks to demonstrate our commitment to a harmonious future built on mutual trust, respect and collaboration with First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.
Image description: Each individual signing the Accord was given the opportunity to make a Tobacco offering, which “carries your thoughts and prayers to the Creator and involves a personal and private reflection of your choosing.” Here, JP Perron offers his Tobacco tie to the fire.“It was truly impactful to stand beside Indigenous and non-Indigenous community leaders alike in signing the Winnipeg Indigenous Accord,” says JP. “This is a great honour and responsibility that’s been entrusted to us, and the WIA will help to hold us accountable in a way that’s necessary for making real, meaningful change.”
Our focus for this first year under WIA is three-fold:
- To encourage and support learning experiences related to the history of Indigenous peoples (Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action #92). Our target is to ensure at least 200 participants share in these experiences.
- To collaborate with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers on land acknowledgements across all our locations (Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action #92, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Call for Justice #15 ). Our target is to implement parameters and guidelines for all employees, including usage and pronunciation but also an understanding of the importance of land acknowledgements.
- To increase our collective knowledge of report recommendations and provide time and space for discussion that will inform our actions moving forward (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Call for Justice #15). Our target is to provide learning and activities aligned with the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2-Spirit Peoples and for Manitoba’s Day of Action.
“On behalf of our DEIB Team - and really all Payworks staff - we’re grateful to all who continue sharing their knowledge and lived experience with us, along with a genuine eagerness to make real positive change,” says Dee dela Cruz, DEIB Team Business Resource Group Co-Lead. “We’re honoured to take this next step on our reconciliation journey towards a safer, healthier and more inclusive community for all.”
