TORONTO — Bimbo Canada, the country’s oldest and largest bakery, debuted its new Legacy Space at its head office in Etobicoke, Ontario, today as part of a five-year commitment to The Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF). The goal of the project is in line with DWF’s mission to build cultural understanding, connections and a path to reconciliation — which means maintaining a mutually respectful relationship — between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
The Legacy Space is both physical and symbolic in its dedication to providing education and spreading awareness about Indigenous history and the journey of reconciliation.
It features a mural commissioned by Blake Angeconeb, an Anishinaabe artist who uses illustration to communicate how the company is “moving forward, together,” by incorporating artistic elements from The Seven Teachings: a guiding Anishinaabe principle that supports living a good life in peace and without conflict.
The goal of the space is in line with DWF’s mission to build cultural understanding, connections and a path to reconciliation — which means maintaining a mutually respectful relationship — between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
“Bimbo Canada believes reconciliation is an important social issue for all Canadians, including our associates,” said Teresa Schoonings, senior director of sustainability for Bimbo Canada.
As part of the five-year commitment, Bimbo Canada will become a DWF ambassador dedicated to consistent “reconciliACTIONs” throughout the year. This includes providing ongoing training and educational opportunities for associates through The Indigenous Cultural Competency Training (ICCT) program offered by DWF. The training provides participants with necessary support to improve the skills, knowledge and values for fostering intercultural respect.
Each course is developed within a cultural competency framework, which helps organizations meaningfully engage with Indigenous employees, colleagues, customers or clients, communities and others. The training is structured to promote cultural safety in the learning environment to ensure that all participants feel welcome and respected while being able to express their views.
This project also increases the visibility of First Nations peoples, and the reverberations of historic and cultural events that still impact these communities today. Idle No More, a grassroots movement that started in 2012, was a turning point for the country as people used rallies, teach-ins and social media to shed light on the most important issues for Indigenous communities. These include sovereignty to have ownership over land, with regenerative farming practices that can combat climate change; access to healthy foods; the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women; and the historic struggle with forced assimilation in residential boarding schools.
As high-profile companies like Bimbo Canada take the initiative to address these issues, it can unlock the transformative power for healing.
“It is a great honor to include Bimbo Canada as a partner and ambassador advocating for and embodying the important work our organization is committed to every day,” said Sarah Midanik, president and CEO of DWF.
This recent initiative is one of many contributions Bimbo Canada makes to support the company’s larger goal of building a more diverse and equitable workplace so each associate can fulfil their potential and know they belong. The company believes every associate has a responsibility to contribute to diversity, equity and belonging and actively encourages employees to live this at work and share back within their communities.
