Tomorrow, September 30, represents an important day in Canada’s history as we recognize the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day is meant to acknowledge the legacy of residential schools and ensure the realities and injustices of the past are not forgotten. 

Canada’s History 
Canadian residential schools date back to the 1880s and were operational until well into the 20th century. About 150,000 children across Canada were placed in residential schools, funded by the Canadian government, and administered by Christian Churches to assimilate Indigenous children to Canadian culture. Over 100 residential schools operated across Canada during this time, with the last Saskatchewan-based residential school closing in 1996. 

Fast forward to 2021, when the first of many unmarked Indigenous gravesites of children who attended residential schools were made public in Kamloops, British Columbia. After that, the unimaginable discoveries continued across Canada, including 719 unmarked gravesites at Cowessess First Nation, Mosaic’s long-time community investment partner in the Esterhazy area.  

“Over the past few months, the story of unmarked graves at residential schools impacted every Indigenous person and many proud Canadians. We all must reset our compass to better understand the truth then reconciliation will lead us to where we all want to be,” shares Chief Cadmus Delorme, Cowessess First Nation.  

Learn more about the history of residential schools here. 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 
At Mosaic, we continue to work towards a more inclusive workplace that encourages a diversity of viewpoints. Tomorrow, across our Saskatchewan locations, we encourage employees to take part in a day of reflection, participate safely in a community event that educates on the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools or access one of the following resources to learn more about Indigenous history in Canada and complete an important Call to Action by sharing your learnings with friends and family.

Mosaic’s Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation 
We recognize the importance of acknowledging and understanding Indigenous history and have made bold commitments towards ensuring 100% of our Canadian-based employees receive Indigenous cultural awareness training. In addition, we have committed to increasing Indigenous representation to 15 percent in three key areas through our 2025 Indigenous Targets. Learn more.

Employees take part in Blanket exercise with Cowessess First Nation.

Most recently, we have enlisted the help of Cowessess First Nation to bring continued learnings of Indigenous culture and history to our employees. So far, employees have attended two cultural learning days where they participated in the Kairos Blanket Exercise, a role reversal exercise that effectively and actively educated employees of the histories of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Led by members of Cowessess First Nation, employees laid blankets in a circle to represent Turtle Island. Mosaic employees played the role of First Nations, Inuit, Métis peoples, and European settlers. Learn more about this exercise in this video. 

Through the teachings of Chief Delorme and other First Nation elders and members, our employees are learning firsthand about Indigenous history, culture – including ceremonies and protocols – and economic development. 

“Cowessess First Nation and Mosaic have held Cultural Learning Days which build upon our relationship and better understand how to work towards the end goal of reconciliation,” said Chief Delorme. 

“We are extremely appreciative of Chief Delorme and Cowessess First Nation’s commitment to providing these learnings to our employees,” shares Earl Greyeyes, Mosaic’s Indigenous Engagement Coordinator. “We are proud to be furthering our commitment to create an inclusive workforce that enables the diversity of voices and insights.”