Diversity Equity And Inclusion at Scouts Canada

On June 7th, the Board of Governors met to discuss that path to reconciliation and agree on a clear commitment to action.  

Our work will be guided by the following principles: 

• We don’t want to do more harm. We recognize that through intentional and unintentional actions and inactions we have already caused harm. We regret that and want to ensure that we move forward deliberately, sincerely and in partnership with Indigenous peoples. 
• We need to be respectful. In order to move forward in a meaningful way, we must create a safe space for all members to reflect and voice their thoughts, emotions and concerns. As a land-based organization, we must center Indigenous perspectives with other diverse cultures in our movement. We must listen and learn together and allow time for reflection and consideration before we act. This is critical. 
• We must ACT with purpose. Dismantling systems of discrimination is complex work that requires intentional and informed action. We will investigate our involvement in the residential school system along with understanding our colonial origins. This will allow us to authentically apologize for the way our organization has impacted Indigenous communities. 

We recognize the following: 

• A journey to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples plays a significant part in our ongoing work in the area of diversity and inclusion. This journey must include acknowledging our role in the residential school system as well as a deep reflection on how our history, our programs and practices have or continue to negatively impact Indigenous peoples today. 
• Scouts Canada is committed to understanding our history as a land-based movement and the role that our Scouting program has played in contributing to intergenerational harm resulting from the residential school system as well as individual acts of those involved in Scouting and the broader impacts of colonization. 
• We must not act arbitrarily. Any and all steps taken must be done in consultation with impacted Indigenous communities and partners. 
• Scouts Canada is committed to an open and respectful discussion of the role of Scouting in residential schools with a promise to fully and transparently share any and all information held by Scouts Canada. We aim to enable all members, Indigenous peoples and Canadians to fully understand the history of our organization. 

We have committed to the following actions: 

• The Board of Governors of Scouts Canada will personally dedicate significant time to its own education and understanding of our history, involvement in colonial activities, and indigenous reconciliation. We encourage all members of Scouts Canada to do the same. 
• We will dedicate time and resources to auditing current policies and procedures to identify systemic racism. This audit will give particular attention to Scouting’s colonial origins and our impact on Indigenous communities through the residential school system and other actions. 
• We will actively engage Indigenous Scouters, youth, family members and external stakeholders in Scouts Canada’s ongoing work to develop programming that serves all communities; we will facilitate discussions that address the use of Indigenous language, imagery and symbolism. 
• We will open a respectful dialogue surrounding Scouting’s role in the residential school system that includes outlining how Scouters and youth members can contribute. 
• We will initiate an investigation into the records held by Scouts Canada from the time residential schools were open in order to understand the role Scouting played. 
• We acknowledge that Scouting played a role in the residential school system and has harmed Indigenous communities in other ways for which we wish to apologize. We will continue our work towards making a meaningful and authentic apology to survivors of residential schools, their families, and all Indigenous peoples. We recognize that we do not yet have a complete understanding of all that happened. While we believe an apology is an important first step, we recognize that, as we learn more, we will need to more meaningfully and properly engage with individual Indigenous communities. 
• We will not use Indigenous symbols in Scouting without appropriate consultation and approval of appropriate Indigenous communities. 
• We will conduct a national review of Scouts Canada property names and Group names and explore revising names appropriated from Indigenous languages or communities. This work will be completed in consultation and consensus with the appropriate Indigenous communities.