Battlefords Chamber of Commerce Chief Operating Officer Linda Machniak, left, and local business owner Terry Caldwell, who is also a chamber member, sign the Saskatchewan Chamber's Indigenous Engagement Charter in Saskatoon Wednesday. (submitted photo/Battlefords Chamber of Commerce)

By Angela Brown

Local Chamber of Commerce signs on to Indigenous Engagement Charter

Jan 22, 2020 | 6:06 PM

The Battlefords Chamber of Commerce signed on to the Indigenous Engagement Charter in a special ceremony in Saskatoon Wednesday.

The aim of the charter is to increase business relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Battlefords Chamber’s Chief Operating Officer Linda Machniak said chamber members were pleased to participate in the ceremony.

When the local chamber signed on to the charter it committed to a three-year partnership that includes implementing an Indigenous engagement strategy.

“We know that Saskatchewan has many positive attributes to make us a great place to live, work and invest,” Machniak said of the charter’s mandate. “But one of the key challenges for us is to champion the opportunities to reach our full potential. One of those opportunities is to engage fully the Indigenous peoples in our economy.”

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She said a 2011 report from a University of Saskatchewan professor indicated if all of the Indigenous population in Saskatchewan were at the same economic level as the wider population “it would provide the province with a $90 billion opportunity.”

Machniak said “there is no doubt” there needs to be more engagement with Indigenous communities in business to provide more opportunities in the workforce.

The task force on the project included both Indigenous and non-Indigenous representatives.

Machniak said part of the work of the charter is also a response to the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s report, which urges the business community to work on engaging more with Indigenous peoples.

At the start of the ceremony, chamber representatives joined in a traditional pipe ceremony.

Among the guest speakers were Minister Lori Carr on behalf of the province, Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark as well as Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce CEO Steve McLellan.

North Battleford businessman Terry Caldwell, who is also a Battlefords chamber member, signed the charter on behalf of his business, Empress Carpet One Floor and Home, to show his support.

“I think it’s going to be a great thing for the Battlefords,” he said of the initiative.

About 20 businesses and organizations signed the charter.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW