At Mosaic, we are celebrating National Indigenous Peoples’ Day and learning more about the history and culture of Canada’s First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples. National Indigenous Peoples Day is a time to celebrate and learn about Canada’s Indigenous peoples and their rich cultural heritage. At Mosaic, we want to be part of reconciliation in Canada, and we look for ways to empower Indigenous peoples through hiring, supporting communities and organizations, and investing in Indigenous-owned companies.

“National Indigenous People’s Day is a day of reflection and an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the history and culture of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples,” says Tyler Hopson, Government and Stakeholder Relations Manager. “We aim to be part of the progress that creates a more inclusive and equitable future for Indigenous people in Canada.”

Mining the Future

Every year, The Mosaic Company hires 10 to 15 Indigenous post-secondary students in Saskatchewan giving them an opportunity to gain valuable work experience in their chosen field while gaining mining industry experience.

“The Mining the Future program is empowering for the students because it allows them to use their knowledge from their course program and gain practical experience at Mosaic,” says Stettner. “We have welding and finance students working at Belle Plaine, Engineering students working at K3 in Esterhazy and another student in our Public Affairs department. I have enjoyed seeing the program grow and transform since inception in 2018, when I was a summer student.”

Silas Hare is a mining engineering student in Mosaic’s Mining the Future Co-Op program and moved from Ontario to Esterhazy for his four-month term at K3.

“I like that Mosaic has allowed me and others to come out and work for a co-op position,” says Silas. “It’s been a very accommodating workplace.”

Silas is an Ojibwa man from Ottawa. However, his family ties trace back to the Temagami First Nation on Bear Island, Ontario, where his late paternal grandmother lived. Additionally, his mother was born in Regina. “When I go to Bear Island, it's where I connect with my heritage,” says Silas. “It's mostly about talking to my relatives. Getting their experiences from not only the present day catching up, but also telling me what it was like for them to grow up.”

He says National Indigenous People’s Day, which is recognized on June 21, signals a step in the right direction because it creates more awareness about the past.

“The 21st is important to me because, in the past, Indigenous communities typically haven't received any spotlight or shine,” said Silas. “A lot of issues involving our communities sort of got swept under the rug for a long time.” 

 Making Commitments   

At Mosaic, we have committed by 2025, to 15 percent of our total community investment spend, new hires in Saskatchewan, and procurement activity will be with Indigenous organizations, businesses, peoples, and communities. We will continue to look for new ways to strengthen and celebrate Saskatchewan’s Indigenous peoples and communities.