National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Doing better every day
Last year on the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, Meridian pledged to acknowledge, listen, and learn more about the Indigenous community and their ongoing struggle for justice and equality. But not just for one day, or one month. Doing better means working at it all through the year.
Four seasons of reconciliation
Working with First Nations University, we provide employee training about the history and culture of Indigenous communities in Canada as well as the history of our residential schools and treaties.
Nadia George is an important voice in the Indigenous community. We work with her to provide additional teaching on Indigenous matters, such as the meaning of Thanksgiving. We also help amplify her voice through sponsored media in mainstream channels, to help educate the public on issues facing the Indigenous community.
Investing in the Indigenous community
We are continuing our commitment to providing financial support to several initiatives benefiting Indigenous peoples in Canada:
Water First provides sustainable drinking water solutions to Indigenous communities across Canada.
Right to Play supports culturally safe leadership training for more than 100 Indigenous youth across Ontario.
In 2021, we proudly supported The Save the Evidence Campaign, which has converted a former residential school into a Mohawk Cultural Centre.
Working with Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga-Dufferin, MCU employees volunteered for Tiny Home Build, which will be provided to the Chippewas of the Nawash Unceded First Nation.
We also increased our support of Niagara’s Celebration of Nations, becoming a Lead Sponsor of this important event.
Doing more within
While investment in external programs is a good step forward, we’re also dedicating ourselves to being better within the walls of Meridian all year round. Through our employee training and awareness-raising, we continue efforts to remove unconscious bias and barriers and to maximize employment opportunity and financial services to Indigenous peoples.