Last year, dentsu Canada became one of the first in our industry to publicly commit to a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), our answer to the Truth & Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action #92 which calls on the corporate sector in Canada to actively participate in Indigenous reconciliation. While this was a significant step forward for us as an organization, and while being the “first” is so often celebrated, it is also a reminder of how much progress we have yet to make as an industry and the work that must be done to ensure that reconciliation becomes a widespread and deeply integrated effort across the industry.

Over the past year, we’ve been privileged to be guided by generous individuals and members from various communities on our journey. Among them are Pat Green, a Mohawk Elder of the Wolf Clan from Six Nations Ontario and Erin Moe, an Anishinaabe-Norwegian educator of the Sturgeon Clan from Lac Seul First Nation who acts as the Academic Dean of Partner Programs, Colleges, and Universities at First Nations Technical Institute. Together, they have been guiding us in reflecting and learning about how to integrate Indigenous wisdom in the workplace. A lot of these lessons we've learned as an organization are also applicable at the individual level which speak to the universality of the knowledge and teachings of Indigenous wisdom.

Here are some of the meaningful lessons we’ve learned over the past year

Being Present and Connecting to Purpose

In one of our earliest learnings with Pat, he said “We’ve fought for our right to be here for so long that we’ve forgotten how to be,” which resonated deeply with attendees who remarked that we often focus so much on productivity that we sometimes forget about being present with ourselves, our colleagues, and our communities. Being mindful and connecting to purpose is essential not only in our personal practice but also in corporate reconciliation initiatives. At dentsu Canada, we strive to generate a positive effect on the industry, society, and the world. This begins with being intentional not only in what we do but also in how we do it. Whether through our reconciliation efforts, our work for our clients, or community engagements, we aim to generate a lasting and positive effect by being grounded in our mission, honouring our interconnectedness, and fostering meaningful and respectful relationships.

The Seven Generations Principle

One of our favourite and most central teachings we’ve come to understand is the Seven Generations Principle: it calls upon us to consider how our actions today will affect the seven generations to come. Whether making decisions in business or in our personal lives, we must all endeavor to answer the question: “How will this decision affect those who come after us?”. This principle is fundamental when considering corporate responsibility and Indigenous communities. It encourages us to move beyond the immediate outcomes and results that shape our day-to-day and move towards envisioning long-term, sustainable relationships and work that respects the Land, the People, and the Future.

Cycles and Rhythms: Learning from Nature

We learned that the concept of time in Indigenous cultures is seen as cyclical. Cycles and circles themselves are observed in the relationship of many things on this planet including migration patterns, the water cycle, the Moon, food chains, life cycles, the movement of celestial bodies, our own circadian rhythms, and much more. This perspective permeates Indigenous teachings which reference the natural cycles of Mother Earth. For instance, we learned about the Medicine Wheel which has four quadrants which align with the seasons: spring represents planting and setting intentions, summer is a time of nurturing and growth, during the fall we harvest and purge, and winter is for reflection and action. By becoming aware of, and being reverent to the cycles of nature, we deepen the understanding of the cycles in our work, relationships, and growth.

Applying Indigenous knowledge in business strategy can be a holistic way to decolonizing corporate culture and building a more inclusive workplace. For instance, we learned that autumn is a time of letting go and purging what no longer serves us. Applying this to our workplace encourages us to reflect on outdated practices or assumptions in the workplace that should be unlearned.

Gratitude and Humility

We have learned of gratitude – not only as an emotion but as an active practice. We learned to give thanks for the water that gives life, for the animals that make up the rich ecosystems of this Land, the sky for its connection to the spiritual world and for light, and for each other because each of us contribute to the well-being of the dentsu community. At dentsu Canada, we manifest gratitude through our commitment to Indigenous corporate engagement – like our RAP which acts as a framework for building stronger relationships with Indigenous nations and communities. We extend gratitude for those who are willing to engage with us as we continue to learn, and we express our humility by acknowledging the wisdom that Indigenous folks, communities, and businesses bring to our shared spaces.

Walking Together Towards Reconciliation

As we approach the end of the year and the winter months, an important takeaway is that we all share responsibility on the path toward reconciliation. In many Indigenous teachings, Winter represents a time for reflection, connection, and responsibility. When we pause to internalize the lessons of the past seasons and prepare for the future and as we reflect on our achievements this year, we must also acknowledge the work that remains. This season of reflection calls on us to not just continue the work but to walk alongside others – in our community and in our industry – with humility and with purpose.

As Pat often reminded us, “Do not lead, I may not follow. Do not follow, I may not lead. But walk with me and be my friend.” This invitation is at the heart of the work: learning from one another, building relationships based on trust and respect, and sharing responsibility. It is through this shared journey that we can work towards meaningful, lasting, change that benefits both the present and future generations.

- Himel Khandker, Director DEI, dentsu Canada