September 30, 2025

At Diamond Schmitt, we continue to take steps to educate ourselves on the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada, and explore what a reconciliation process can look like through the work that we do and our engagement and collaboration with Indigenous communities. We aim to reflect on the cultures, and contributions of Indigenous Peoples, as well as to learn about residential schools.

This year, in honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the firm’s DEI committee and Indigenous Inclusion Work Group curated a series of in-office events and resources designed to foster opportunities for gathering, learning, reflection and dialogue. Activities included shared public experiences and storytelling on screen featuring Indigenous filmmakers and educator. 

Screenings included:

• "Mary Two-Axe Earley I Am Indian Again" which tells the powerful story of Mary Two-Axe Earley, who spent more than two decades fighting to overturn sex discrimination in Canada’s Indian Act, becoming a key figure in advancing both Indigenous and women’s rights. Mohawk filmmaker Courtney Montour, uses never-before-seen archival footage and recordings, featuring Cree activist Nellie Carlson, Mary’s lifelong friend and co-founder of Indian Rights for Indian Women.
  
  
• “Our Maternal Home” which follows filmmaker and educator Janine Windolph as she ventures from Saskatchewan to Quebec with her two teens and sister, tracing their familial origins to the Cree First Nation of Waswanipi. Guided by Elders on the Traditional Lands, the family embraces interdependence and hands-on learning, turning the visit into an act of reclamation and resilience. 
  
  
• “North Lore”, directed by David Hamelin and Melaina Sheldon, which weaves animation and live action and explores the mystical stories and connections forged between people and wildlife of Canada’s North. With each new story, the film celebrates the transformative power of the human spirit when confronted with the wilderness.

All of Diamond Schmitt’s team members have also been invited to participate in “Walking the Path of Reconciliation: A Business-Focused Webinar Series”, a four-part online program that helps Canadian businesses understand their role in advancing reconciliation. Hosted by the UN Global Compact Network Canada in partnership with the Muskoka Group, each 90-minute session features expert-led discussions, practical tools, and actionable takeaways aligned with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #92. Upcoming sessions are scheduled for November 12, 2025, January 20, 2026, and April 21, 2026. Learn more and register here.


Some resources to explore:
NFB’s rich online collection of Indigenous-made films
Holy Angels documentary
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
Working with Indigenous Architects and Indigenous Procurement Requirements
Indigenous Peoples: A Guide to Terminology by Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.
Voices of the Land: Indigenous Design and Planning from the Prairies
21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act