On Sept. 30, RJC Engineers hosted its second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation webinar for engineers, contractors and architects, drawing nearly 600 attendees.

The two-hour mini-conference, ‘Building a Foundation for Reconciliation 2022: The Interconnections between Infrastructure, Culture and the Environment,’ was organized in partnership with the IISAAK OLAM Foundation, Tsawout First Nation, Halalt First Nation and the Roots to Roofs Community Development Society. By exploring how Canada’s architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) professionals can honour the Truth and Reconciliation Commission‘s Calls to Action as allies to First Nations, it expanded upon last year’s inaugural session.

Call to Action 92, in particular, asks Canada’s corporate sector to “commit to meaningful consultation” to obtain “the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous peoples before proceeding with economic development projects,” “ensure Aboriginal peoples have equitable access to jobs, training and education opportunities and Aboriginal communities gain long-term sustainable benefits from economic development projects” and “provide education for management and staff in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights and anti-racism.”