Concert Properties takes diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) seriously and continues to listen to employee feedback. Employees asked for more opportunities to ensure policies are fair and equitable, to support diversity throughout the organization and to identify behaviours that foster an increasingly inclusive organizational culture. Over the past two years, our People Experience team has implemented programs and policies to achieve these goals.
One area of focus is providing employees access to Indigenous educational opportunities. This month, to celebrate and honour National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, we provided staff opportunities and resources to learn about Indigenous history, culture and allyship.
For example, earlier this week, more than 75 employees participated in an Indigenous allyship education event hosted by HRx, a leading Canadian provider of practical, data-informed solutions for equity, diversity and inclusion. Expert speaker Marissa McIntyre shared guidance on defining what allyship means, describing the journey to becoming an ally and discussing various types of privilege, prejudice, racism and anti-racism. Employees were provided insights into decisive actions they can take every day to become an ally. For more information on this session, and to learn about the actions of an ally, view the allyship article published by HRx.
As part of celebrating Indigenous peoples and their history, employees gathered on June 7 to view the new Eagle Panel artwork installed at our Vancouver head office's reception. This magnificent piece was created for us by artist Morris (Moy) Sutherland (Nuu-chah-nulth), who is from Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations, on the West Coast of Vancouver Island in BC.
Made of cedar, abalone and acrylic, the panel depicts Eagle, one of the most prominent and important figures in the oral traditions of the Northwest Coast. Eagle is respected for its intelligence and power, admired for possessing extraordinary vision, and associated with confidence and veracity.
Moy grew up immersed in his culture and its traditions and learned his craft from both Kwakwaka'wakw and Nuu-chah-nulth artists, an experience he uses to help broaden his understanding of all Pacific Northwest Coast First Nations’ art forms.
Employees discussed Moy’s unique depiction of the eagle as they savoured lunch from Salmon n' Bannock, a local restaurant serving Indigenous cuisine. A lively and varied conversation continued, with employees sharing photos, histories, learnings and educational resources about Indigenous art, artists and styles — including some personal collections and sightings in unexpected places around town.
The company’s DEI strategy includes events like these, along with many other programs and policies such as Indigenous Reconciliation education, a new Respectful Workplace policy and training, Introduction to Pronouns training, a partnership with the Maturn program supporting new mothers, and mental health training, among others. As well, all employees are eligible to expense Indigenous-focused educational activities, experiences or courses all year round.