Reunion and reconciliation: Mel on reconnecting with her Indigeneity

This past year, my personal and professional lives aligned in a powerful and moving way. On a personal level, I reconnected with my birth family and Métis culture. Professionally, I had the opportunity to help shape PwC Canada’s Indigenous Reconciliation Strategy and the launch of our Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan. 

My personal reconciliation journey began in July 2023. I was having a difficult year and decided to do some self-reflection while on a mental health leave from work because I felt something was missing from my life. As part of this self-reflection, I decided to start the journey to discover my whole self, which included looking for my birth parents and understanding my Indigeneity. 

At the age of four, I had been placed with my younger sister into foster care. We moved from home to home until we were finally adopted by loving parents: my guardian angels, who I truly believe saved our lives. All I had from my birth parents was a letter from my social worker, which said they couldn’t take care of me and wanted a better life for me. After submitting various forms, I obtained a birth certificate with my birth parents’ names. It was the first time I had names for them, and this made it all feel more real. 

In May 2024, I met my dad for the first time. Meeting the person who was partially responsible for bringing me into the world was a life-changing experience but astounding in its familiarity. I felt like I was being welcomed home. As part of this process, I also discovered I have 12 siblings, and I’ve met many of them too. I’ve spent a lot of time with my sister Maddy, who has helped me feel like a part of the family, taken me to various events and been a source of truth and guidance. It’s a difficult balance, feeling like an outsider but wanting to make up for all the years I missed. 

My dad, who is a highly respected Elder in the Indigenous community, suggested one of the best ways for me to learn about my culture is through ceremony. Among other things, he’s Chief of the Sun Dance, a sacred healing ceremony that takes place each year over several days. I’ve taken up Métis jigging, learning from my sisters, which is another way for me to deepen my relations with my family and learn my culture. 

My adoptive parents have been so supportive of this entire process, and I couldn’t do this without them. I’ve been drawing strength and guidance from my circle, and I’m blessed by everyone who has helped me along this journey. 

In March 2024, PwC Canada created the Indigenous Reconciliation Advisory Committee to help develop our firm’s Indigenous Reconciliation Strategy and Action Plan. 

PwC Canada has just launched our Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan. I’m very proud of the steps we’re taking to advance the process of reconciliation, and I look forward to engaging with Indigenous communities and focusing on the initiatives that are important to them. It’s also an important opportunity to help others in the firm along the path of reconciliation. Education is the first step, since you can’t have reconciliation unless you have truth. While it will be uncomfortable at times, it’s important that we acknowledge our own responsibility to help, educate ourselves and take action. 

Mel is the Indigenous Reconciliation Lead Manager at PwC Canada. She lives in British Columbia, on the unceded, ancestral territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.