Summary

This session offers senior HR professionals a meaningful opportunity to explore the evolving role of Truth and Reconciliation in today’s workplace. Through the power of storytelling—including the use of Indigenous ledger book art—we’ll look at how culture, identity, and inclusion intersect in real and relevant ways. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on how their own HR policies tell a story: about who they are, what their organization values, and how those values are put into practice through hiring, conflict of interest management, and other everyday decisions.

We’ll also look at the legal responsibilities HR professionals carry under the Canadian Human Rights Act and other key legislation, along with how today’s changing legal landscape may affect future policy work. This session is both reflective and practical—designed to offer insight, strategy, and a sense of shared purpose.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Recognize their place within the broader story of Canadian business and reconciliation.
• Approach challenging EDI and TRC scenarios with greater clarity and confidence.
• Find a sense of connection and support within this important, ongoing journey.

Presenter

Don McIntyre was born to Scottish and Algonquin parents, with a cultural heritage deeply rooted in both the Inner Hebrides of Scotland—his father’s family originating from the island of Tiree—and the Anishinaabe traditions of the Timiskaming Nation on his mother’s side. He was adopted into the Potlatch by the Dangeli family of the Beaver Clan and was gifted a Blackfoot name by Elder Tom Crane Bear. These experiences have shaped a lifelong dedication to addressing and reconciling the position of Indigenous peoples in Canada. As an artist, Don paints in the traditional style of his Anishinaabe territories, weaving contemporary visions and themes into his work to engage a broad audience. His artistic practice is also integrated into his teaching. Collaborating with the Nisga’a Nation, Don has contributed to the creation of totem poles, ocean canoes, carved panels, and other culturally significant works. Don began his legal career as a Corporate Litigator at a large international law firm before founding and operating his own law corporation. He has taught Native American Studies at the University of Lethbridge and currently serves as Assistant Professor and Co-Chair of Indigenous Governance and Business Management at the Dhillon School of Business. A sought-after speaker, Don has presented at public schools, colleges, universities, and Indigenous communities around the world. His areas of expertise include law, storytelling, socio-legal pluralism, Indigenous art and tradition, colonization, social innovation, Indigenous trans-systemics, justice systems, leadership, business, wise practices, governance, negotiations, and treaty.