National Indigenous Peoples Day

On June 21, Canada will mark National Indigenous Peoples Day. Established in 1996 and celebrated annually on the summer solstice, this nationally-recognized day is an opportunity for all Canadians to celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and significant contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples.

As a company, Mosaic is committed to creating opportunities for Indigenous people, perspectives and values in our business. By committing to Progressive Aboriginal Relations certification, we seek to bring transparency and accountability to this pledge. This past year, we extended PAR to all Mosaic-managed lands and we are renewing our commitment to this important program, with our re-verification audit scheduled for later this month.

As individuals, I would encourage you to take National Indigenous Peoples Day as an opportunity to find a personal way to explore Indigenous perspectives and voices. Many of the First Nations with whom Mosaic partners are marking the day, each with their own unique plans and activities.

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada has published an “#IndigenousReads” reading list, showcasing works of literature, poetry and non-fiction by Indigenous authors for children, youth and adult audiences. The reading list can be viewed here.

The CBC has also curated a list of “Personal Acts of Reconciliation” with suggestions for things Canadians can do, listen to, watch and make as a personal reflection on National Indigenous Peoples Day. That list is available on the CBC website here.

In 2019, Mosaic established a $25,000 grant to support preservation of Indigenous languages. As part of that program, and in partnership with Indigenous-owned Vancouver Island radio station The Raven, as series of language vignettes is being produced, showcasing the stories and Éy7á7juuthem language -  the language of the Homalco, K’ómoks, Klahoose and Tla’amin peoples. Each cultural vignette is being produced to archival quality in partnership with elders and language speakers. When these are released later this year, this will provide a valuable learning opportunity and language resource. We look forward to sharing these stories soon and are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this special project.

On National Indigenous Peoples Day, I would like to recognize the many contributions of Indigenous employees to our company’s success, today and every day. I also send my thanks to the many Indigenous partners within whose territories Mosaic conducts its business, for their commitment to working together for mutual benefit and for sharing their knowledge, experience and culture with us as we move forward in partnership.

Jeffery Zweig – President and Chief Executive Officer