Land Acknowledgement
I would like to acknowledge that Carbon Safety Solutions operates on the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, in Nanaimo BC, on beautiful Vancouver Island at the centre of the Coast Salish sea. I am very appreciative of the deep history that surrounds these lands, and the natural beauty it holds.
Snuneymuxw First Nation is one of the 50 First Nations that call Vancouver Island home, and in some cases have done so for thousands of years.
During that time First Nations have suffered injustices in B.C. politically, religiously, physically, and mentally, suffering discrimination from their first encounters with Europeans and ongoing discrimination today.
Statement On Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Many in my community here in the Nanaimo area have suffered from biases and prejudices as marginalized groups.
It is important for me, as a member of the community here in Nanaimo, and across the wider community of Vancouver Island to recognize, and acknowledge the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion within these communities.
Whether it is work, school, home, or socially, the world we live in is diverse, and full of learning opportunities, and it is our obligation to consider how we impact equity, diversity, and inclusion within our community roles, and relationships.
Part of this obligation, is respecting the deep history and heritage of the lands, and people where I raise my family, work, and explore. This goes beyond recognition of Indigenous lands, culture, and heritage, and also includes other members of my community who suffer prejudice, and injustice.
An additional obligation is to provide a voice where it is needed. There are many injustices in the world that we live in, including here in Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and across Canada.
Whether it is Indigenous Reconciliation in Canada, Black Lives Matter and systemic racism, or recognition of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) rights and equity, we face many aspects of injustice today. We all have a voice, and a role to play in how we fight these injustices, and provide our communities support where it’s needed. Silence in these cases, is not helpful in the fight against injustice.
This is my voice.
Carbon Safety Solutions fully supports the rights, freedoms, and liberties of all Canadians, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or religious beliefs. We must consider our role, our influence, and our obligations in encouraging, diversifying, and including all members of our community in our engagements, and to do so with respect and appreciation.
Beyond the obligation to have a voice is the obligation to support the development of equity, diversity, and inclusion in our community.
Engaging with the marginalized groups in our community, and providing support where we can is part of the equation.
This statement is a start for my company in an attempt to acknowledge that many in our community have unearned advantages, including myself, while others have earned disadvantages.
This statement is a start, in recognizing that we need to do more to support our community, and that we will be supportive in our business endeavors to provide a voice, and undertake actions that reflect the views of this statement.
We are open to collaboration with groups that are marginalized in our community to partner and discuss how Carbon Safety can be part of the ongoing discussions, and solutions to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace, and community.
Scott Lescak
Principal Consultant, and Founder
Carbon Safety Solutions
Resources
- For more information on the Snuneymuxw First Nation visit their website https://www.snuneymuxw.ca/nation/history
- For more information on calls to action related to reconciliation in Canada read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/indigenous-people/aboriginal-peoples-documents/calls_to_action_english2.pdf
- A resource for anti-racism https://bchumanrights.ca/key-issues/hate-and-white-supremacy/
- For more on Canadian Black History nanaimoafricanheritagesociety.com/