Bruce on celebrating Indigenous perspectives

I’m a director with PwC Canada’s Tax practice in Ottawa and the chair of the employee-led Indigenous Inclusion Network.

I joined PwC Canada’s Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) team in 2016 after almost 30 years in the technology domain as a developer, architect, senior manager and finally a business owner. I’ve worked for companies of all sizes, including my own startup. More recently, I’ve been part of the core team working on PwC Canada’s recently released Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan, which outlines our firm’s dedication to improving outcomes for Indigenous Peoples and Canada as a whole.

Reconciliation

In some respects, I feel I’ve been living reconciliation my entire life. My mother is from British Columbia, where our First Nation has resided since time immemorial. We are people of the poles. Our family crest includes the Thunderbird and Killer Whale. My father is a retired RCMP officer from Nova Scotia whose family arrived in Canada from Germany in 1752.

While I was born in Vancouver, we “temporarily” moved to Ottawa in 1964. My parents tell the story of my great-aunt Ellen Neel (the first famous female carver) meeting us at the Vancouver train station to say goodbye. As it turns out, I grew up and still live in Ottawa as an urban Indigenous. My sister, Mary Anne, is an accomplished artist. I met my wonderful wife, who was born in Pakistan, at our high school prom. We have three remarkable daughters whom I’m extremely proud of.

I consider myself very fortunate because of the opportunities I’ve had. My bedrock is a loving family, both immediate family members and extended family members across the country. I’ve also been fortunate to have access to excellent teachers throughout my school years and to health care when I, and my family, have needed it (including doctors who made house calls).

I recognize many have not had the same opportunities. Specifically, many of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples have been limited by structural barriers in education, health care and finance, such as the ability to get a mortgage to buy a house or start a business. There are additional barriers for those living remotely from urban centres. For example, my daughter recently travelled to Resolute Bay, a remote community where residents need to take multiple flights to receive specialized care.

Barriers such as these limit not just Indigenous Peoples, but Canada as a whole.

PwC Canada’s Indigenous Inclusion Network

When I joined PwC Canada’s Indigenous Inclusion Network (IIN) in 2020, I vividly recall recognizing the opportunity to make a difference. Over the decades, society has shifted to the point where the barriers for Indigenous Peoples are widely acknowledged, including by the courts. In addition to that, I recognized the innate curiosity of my co-workers, their interest in learning more about Indigenous perspectives and their desire to work on meaningful issues. What’s more meaningful than resolving problems centuries in the making?

The first step is education. Truth must come before reconciliation. Our IIN provides many opportunities to learn about and celebrate our diverse Indigenous cultures.

I’m proud that this past June, which is National Indigenous History Month, we held five major national events, starting with the opening of our Legacy Space in Vancouver in partnership with the Downie-Wenjack Foundation. Other sessions included Indigenous protocols with the assistance of Elders in British Columbia, a film screening followed by a conversation with the filmmaker put on with the support of imagineNATIVE, a sharing circle and teachings on land acknowledgements.

We also host monthly sharing circles to learn together about thought-provoking and sometimes sensitive topics of interest in a safe space.

Indigenous Reconciliation Advisory Committee

Working on PwC Canada’s Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career.

With a strong mandate from our leadership team and Board of Directors, we’ve been able to chart a path for PwC Canada to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #92, which is addressed to the corporate community. While this concise 167-word call should be read in its entirety, it asks that corporations apply their resources to ensure meaningful consultation, build respectful relationships and obtain the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples before proceeding with economic development projects. This completely aligns with PwC Canada’s role as trusted advisers to our valued clients.

Reconciliation will give meaningful voice to Indigenous perspectives.

It will enable Indigenous communities to achieve long-term, sustainable benefits from economic development projects through access to capital and partnership with corporate Canada. But reconciliation isn’t simply about economic development. If done properly, it’s also about nation building, capacity building and strengthening bonds based on mutual trust.