New Course To Help Individuals Working at Tech Companies Engage in Meaningful Truth & Reconciliation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) – The First Nations Technology Council (“Technology Council”), an Indigenous-led, innovative non-profit mandated by First Nations leadership in B.C., announced today a new training course that aims to help individuals in the tech sector be a part of the truth and reconciliation movement in a meaningful way.

This course was created in partnership with Chastity Davis-Alphonse, founder of Deyen, an award-winning platform that focuses on building knowledge and capacities for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals, organizations, communities, and governments. Deyen is the Tsilhqot'in word for "person with the power to transform.” It is believed by some Tsilhqot’in Knowledge Keepers that everyone is a Deyen. It is just a matter of taking the time to uncover the Deyen inside of you.

“I think it’s really important and timely that we have co-created this online course that shares our collective colonial relationship while centering Indigenous voices," said Chastity Davis-Alphonse, co-creator and member of the Tla’amin Nation and married into the Tsilhqot’in Nation. "We created this course specifically for the tech sector to elevate their level of knowledge and invite them into participating in this essential work of this generation. We share how we can bring colonial ways of knowing and being into balance with Indigenous ways of knowing and being to create a path forward for our shared future."

Happening online from November 15^th to February 7^th, 2024, Bringing into Balance: The Role of the Individual in Truth & Reconciliation, focuses on what meaningful allyship looks like and how individuals can incorporate it into their lives and work. In a cohort, participants will learn and discuss key concepts to move through the complex work of allyship and systems change. 

The course also aims to help companies create work environments and cultures where Indigenous talent thrives. Participants will learn about:

• the history of colonialization and how colonial policies and values are ongoing and continue to impact Indigenous Peoples today;
• key policy documents, activism, Indigenous resistance, and reconciliation through movements like the Truth and Reconciliation Commission;
• characteristics of white supremacy and how they influence all of us; and
• concepts of allyship and understanding how to move toward meaningful change.

Over 10 hours of learning, participants will increase their understanding of the relationship between settler colonialism, digital inequity, and exclusion of Indigenous Peoples in technology and technology-enabled companies.

“Bringing Into Balance will appeal to a wide range of learners, educating them on significant moments in the history of Canada that have left lasting impacts on Indigenous peoples," said Natiea Vinson, Chief Executive Officer at the Technology Council and a member of Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc. “This course is about bringing into balance Indigenous world views alongside colonial systems so that we can all benefit from different perspectives and experiences.”

This course was created for all non-Indigenous people working at technology and technology-enabled companies. Specifically, it is envisioned this will support the work of recruitment professionals, hiring managers, and human resources (HR) and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) leaders.

Participants will learn alongside their group, hearing from speakers, viewing informational slides, and completing interactive activities. There will also be two live facilitated sessions. Interested individuals and teams are encouraged to register here today.

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Media Contact

Megan Jordan
Director, Communications and Engagement
T. 604.679.0095
E. megan@technologycouncil.ca