Indigenous Business holding multinationals accountable for false Reconcilation Action Plans negatively affecting Indigenous Business and causing harm

Curated by

Bear Standing Tall

Indigenous businesses in Canada are speaking out against corporate tokenism, demanding accountability from multinational companies that claim commitment to reconciliation while engaging in exploitative practices. These businesses face financial hardship and emotional distress as they struggle to secure fair, long-term partnerships in an environment where their expertise is undervalued and their requests for support are often ignored.

Harms of Performative Partnerships

Indigenous-owned businesses face severe financial exploitation, often being hired for "one-off" projects at rates far below industry standards. This practice forces entrepreneurs into high-interest debt, selling personal assets (including wedding rings), and risking homelessness to keep their businesses operational. The emotional toll is equally devastating, as intergenerational survivors of colonization and residential schools face retraumatization while advocating for fair treatment. One business owner shared, "We pour our hearts into educating employees about Indigenous history, only to have our invoices ignored and our dignity dismissed."

Corporate Hypocrisy Exposed

Public commitments to "build community relationships" and "create social benefits" clash starkly with private refusals to pay for essential services like Learning Management Systems or anti-virus software for Indigenous partners. Companies systematically seek out Indigenous businesses willing to accept the lowest possible fees, while those raising prices to cover rising costs are dismissed as "too expensive." This hypocrisy is further highlighted by corporations using Indigenous participation to elevate their public CSR image without honoring their Reconciliation Action Plans or providing meaningful, long-term support.

Systemic Lowballing Practices

Multinational corporations systematically seek out Indigenous businesses willing to accept the lowest possible fees, creating a race to the bottom that undermines fair compensation and sustainable partnerships. This practice forces Indigenous entrepreneurs to choose between compromising their financial stability or being labeled as "too expensive" and losing opportunities. As costs for essential business tools and services continue to rise, Indigenous businesses raising their prices to stay operational are often dismissed, perpetuating a cycle of economic marginalization. The limited budgets allocated for Indigenous partnerships reveal a lack of genuine commitment to reconciliation, as one business owner noted, "They expect us to train thousands of employees worldwide for less than the cost of a single executive's bonus."

Path to Accountability

Indigenous businesses are taking decisive action to hold corporations accountable for their tokenistic practices. Filing claims with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal has emerged as a crucial step, allowing judges to assess the harm caused by false commitments and systemic discrimination. This legal recourse, while challenging due to financial constraints, represents a powerful tool for Indigenous entrepreneurs who cannot afford traditional legal representation against well-resourced corporations.

To foster genuine partnerships, Indigenous businesses are calling for binding, multiyear contracts that reflect fair market value, transparent grievance mechanisms with third-party oversight, and dedicated budgets for Indigenous partnerships separate from general CSR funds. Allies are urged to scrutinize corporate reconciliation claims, demanding proof of long-term Indigenous contracts and equitable profit-sharing, while amplifying Indigenous-led audits of corporate practices.

BSTDigital