b'INDIGENOUS RELATIONSAn illustration of the interior atrium of the Canadian Canoe Museumof measures, from workplace culture toChandos is also guided by a set of fourthat Aboriginal peoples have equitable supply chain sustainability. Based on itscorporate values. The company aspires toaccess to jobs, training and education B Impact assessment, Chandos earnedbe inclusive, which means we all belong;opportunities while Aboriginal commu-an overall score of 107.4the mediancollaborative, which means we learn fromnities gain long-term sustainable bene-score is currently 50.9which puts it in aeach other; innovative, which means wefits. It also encourages them to educate class with globally known companies likehave the courage to act; and ingenious,management and staff on the history of outdoor clothing brand Patagonia, Benwhich just means we see things differ- Aboriginal peoples.and Jerrys ice cream and crowdfundingently, says Laronde. When I first started app Kickstarter.doing my research on Chandos, that reallyUltimately, though, Laronde and Coldwell stuck with me. I said to myself that peopledecided to articulate the companys B Lab especially singles out Chandosare more productive and would preferIndigenous strategy much more simply, leadership in championing collaborativeto work with a company that has a valuebut in a way that still encapsulates the construction as one of its best qualities.of alignment. essence of the TRC Call to Action #92: We describe ourselves as a purpose- For Indigenous people, a better world driven national technical builder, saysIn 2021, Laronde and Chandos presi- means Indigenous prosperity. Laronde, a member of Ontarios Nipissingdent Tom Coldwell collaborated to create First Nation. He explains that a technicalan Indigenous strategy for the company.The success of the strategy is also builder is a construction company thatInitially, Laronde intended to base it onmeasuredsimply,accordingtothe specializes in complex projects withthe Truth & Reconciliation CommissionspercentageofIndigenousengage-unique features, like a healing lodge, a(TRC) Call to Action #92 (Business andment on a project. Any time theres an Reconciliation), which calls upon theIndigenous project, either in the commu-medical facility or a university building.corporate sector in Canada to embracenity or outside the community (like the the principles of the United NationsThunder Woman Healing Lodge in down-When we talk about being purpose- Declaration on the Rights of Indigenoustown Toronto), we get as much Indigenous driven, what we mean is that we use busi- Peoples as a framework for policies andparticipation in the project as we possibly ness as a force for good. It also means weactivities involving Indigenous peoples,can, says Laronde. This includes broad balance people, planet and profits. Ourtheir lands and their resources. It invitescommunity input as well as the employ-purpose statement is We exist to buildthe business community to engage inment and contracting of Indigenous busi-a better world, Laronde says. meaningful consultation, and to ensureness services and suppliers.Aboriginal BUSINESS REPORT71'