In September, during Reconciliation Week 2023, the Wilcox team recognized the third National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. At Wilcox Door Service Inc., we understand that the journey toward reconciliation begins when we make a commitment to truth-telling and to learning about the true history of residential schools.
Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation take place annually on September 30. It’s an important day for us at Wilcox as we honour the Indigenous children who were sent to residential schools. Our team gathered in honour of residential school Survivors, the children who never returned home, and their families. We proudly wore orange shirts to symbolize hope and a commitment to a better future for Indigenous Peoples.
Orange Shirt Day is a reminder of the devastating effects of the residential school system on Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Learning, reflecting, and supporting the healing journey of Survivors and the families affected is an essential part of our path toward reconciliation and a reminder that Every Child Matters.
At Wilcox, we stand in solidarity with Survivors and their families. We’re incredibly proud of our team for their support and commitment to fostering a culture of respect and awareness. We encourage you to learn more about Orange Shirt Day by visiting the Orange Shirt Society.
The Journey Toward Reconciliation
Each of us has the ability to create meaningful change. We encourage you to continue to learn about the history, contributions, and resilience of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples — First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. Listen to their stories. Honour their achievements. Reflect; then forge your own path toward reconciliation.
There are many ways to honour Indigenous Peoples and make progress toward reconciliation. Here are some actions each of us can take throughout the year to support reconciliation:
- Learn about the diverse cultures and histories of Indigenous Peoples.
- Learn about the impact of colonialism on Indigenous Peoples.
- Learn about the impact of residential schools on Indigenous communities.
- Read the 2015 report from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
- Donate to and volunteer with an organization that helps improve Indigenous Peoples’ lives.
- Support Indigenous artists and cultural events.
- Read books by Indigenous authors.
- Support Indigenous-owned businesses.
- Create a Legacy Space in your office.
- Advocate for Indigenous rights.
- Insist on change. Make your vote count.
Wilcox Values Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Responsibility
Wilcox Door Service Inc., established in 1912, is a certified Aboriginal-owned business. We’re the industry leader in supplying, installing and servicing door, dock, and gate solutions for commercial and industrial facilities.
Our owners represent a number of diverse backgrounds including First Nations. They understand the importance of celebrating the history and resilience of Indigenous Peoples and are committed to taking meaningful steps toward reconciliation.
The Wilcox team has great respect for Indigenous Peoples and the contributions they’ve made to help Canada become the country it is today. We recognize the contributions of Indigenous Peoples across Canada — First Nations, Inuit, and Métis — and look for ways to participate in reconciliation every day. We appreciate our employees’ enthusiasm for learning and contributing to meaningful change.
Diversity, inclusion, and social responsibility are part of our core values. We’re proud of the diversity in our team and our involvement with organizations that promote diversity in the workplace — including the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC), the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB), and the Black North Initiative.
Wilcox also supports many non-profit organizations that do meaningful work in the community. This includes the following organizations that do important work to support Indigenous communities:
- The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
- The Orange Shirt Society
- Iroquois Roots Rugby
We invite you to learn more about our diversity and inclusion initiatives and our community involvement.
