Our Path Forward
Sysco’s Commitment to Reconciliation
As we continue to strengthen our commitment to reconciliation, we are honoured to introduce Our Path Forward: Sysco's Commitment to Reconciliation – a multi-pronged and multi-year strategy developed to support and empower Indigenous communities through strong, collaborative, and respectful relationships.
Through Commitment
Sysco is committed to the process of reconciliation through empowerment and sustainability of Indigenous communities across Canada. Sysco’s approach is based on our commitment to the framework.
Through Intention
We support and empower Indigenous communities through strong, collaborative, and respectful relationships. We have intentionally developed programs to empower and strengthen four key pillars:
- Leadership Action
- Colleague Relations
- Business Development
- Community Relationships
Our Approach
The programs developed within this framework are supported by Sysco Canada’s Our Path Forward Steering Committee and Pillar Boards, and the Circle colleague resource group – comprised of Indigenous and non-Indigenous colleagues that advise on relevant information, support strategy development and execution, and ensure we have an authentic, enterprise-wide approach and commitment to reconciliation.
We recognize genuine reconciliation is a continued journey and acknowledging truth is a critical part of Our Path Forward. We encourage Sysco colleagues and partners to continue embracing truth, as we stand together in solidarity to empower and sustain Indigenous communities and organizations.
Through Commitment
Sysco is committed to the process of reconciliation through empowerment and sustainability of Indigenous communities across Canada. Sysco’s approach is based on our commitment to the framework.
Through Intention
We support and empower Indigenous communities through strong, collaborative, and respectful relationships. We have intentionally developed programs to empower and strengthen four key pillars:
- Leadership Action
- Colleague Relations
- Business Development
- Community Relationships
Our Approach
The programs developed within this framework are supported by Sysco Canada’s Our Path Forward Steering Committee and Pillar Boards, and the Circle colleague resource group – comprised of Indigenous and non-Indigenous colleagues that advise on relevant information, support strategy development and execution, and ensure we have an authentic, enterprise-wide approach and commitment to reconciliation.
We recognize genuine reconciliation is a continued journey and acknowledging truth is a critical part of Our Path Forward. We encourage Sysco colleagues and partners to continue embracing truth, as we stand together in solidarity to empower and sustain Indigenous communities and organizations.
Leadership Actions
Our Path Forward: Leadership Actions reinforces Sysco's leaders' organizational focus on Indigenous relations. Sysco sets and cascades clear commitments, policies, and communication, and the application of a structure to drive and help sustain the commitment to positive Indigenous relations across Sysco. This includes:
Advocacy for Reconciliation
Sysco Canada’s leadership team advocates for reconciliation, in theory and in practice, with Sysco colleagues, business partners, and community partners.
Advocacy for Reconciliation
Sysco Canada’s leadership team advocates for reconciliation, in theory and in practice, with Sysco colleagues, business partners, and community partners.
Meaningful Engagement
Sysco Canada’s leadership team will continue to attend and meaningfully engage with Indigenous leaders and businesses at community and business events.
Meaningful Engagement
Sysco Canada’s leadership team will continue to attend and meaningfully engage with Indigenous leaders and businesses at community and business events.
Internal Allyship
Sysco Canada will continue to advocate for reconciliation during internal Sysco events, ensuring Our Path Forward is embedded in programs, engagement, and overall frameworks.
Internal Allyship
Sysco Canada will continue to advocate for reconciliation during internal Sysco events, ensuring Our Path Forward is embedded in programs, engagement, and overall frameworks.
Colleague Relations
Our Path Forward: Colleague Relations is the commitment of resources to achieving equitable representation of Indigenous persons in the workplace.
Circle Colleague Resource Group
The Circle CRG educates, celebrates diversity, and nourishes a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all colleagues – Indigenous and Non-Indigenous. Circle advocates truth and reconciliation within Sysco Canada.
Circle Colleague Resource Group
The Circle CRG educates, celebrates diversity, and nourishes a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all colleagues – Indigenous and Non-Indigenous. Circle advocates truth and reconciliation within Sysco Canada.
Empowering Sysco’s Workforce
Sysco Canada has developed a recruitment and retention approach to empower Indigenous talent and support career development.
Indigenous placemaking spaces at Sysco sites across Canada
Empowering Sysco’s Workforce
Sysco Canada has developed a recruitment and retention approach to empower Indigenous talent and support career development.
Indigenous placemaking spaces at Sysco sites across Canada
Cultural Awareness Training
In-person and virtual cultural sensitivity training is available for Sysco Canada colleagues. Provided by the Circle CRG, or based on function, these trainings include speaking engagements, tailored education, and formal courses.
Cultural Awareness Training
In-person and virtual cultural sensitivity training is available for Sysco Canada colleagues. Provided by the Circle CRG, or based on function, these trainings include speaking engagements, tailored education, and formal courses.
Indigenous Placemaking Spaces
Sysco Canada’s Circle CRG has led the planning and development of Indigenous Placemaking Spaces at Sysco sites across Canada – engaging local Indigenous artists and community leaders.
Indigenous Placemaking Spaces
Sysco Canada’s Circle CRG has led the planning and development of Indigenous Placemaking Spaces at Sysco sites across Canada – engaging local Indigenous artists and community leaders.
Business Development
Our Path Forward: Business Development is the commitment of resources, including time and money, to the development of business relationships with Indigenous-owned businesses. These activities are sustained through mutual benefits. Capacity building and mentorship also directly relate to sustaining, enhancing, and developing future business development.
Indigenous Market Strategy
Sysco Canada has developed an Indigenous market strategy to support the growth and development of Indigenous businesses.
Indigenous Market Strategy
Sysco Canada has developed an Indigenous market strategy to support the growth and development of Indigenous businesses.
Sustainable and Empowering Partnerships
Since 2021, Sysco Canada has been a Patron Member of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Businesses (CCIB).
Sustainable and Empowering Partnerships
Since 2021, Sysco Canada has been a Patron Member of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Businesses (CCIB).
Indigenous Procurement Advocates
Sysco Canada is a registered Supply Change Advocate through the CCIB, with a commitment to increase opportunities for Indigenous businesses to participate in our supply chains and actively work toward embedding Indigenous businesses into our supply chains.
Indigenous Procurement Advocates
Sysco Canada is a registered Supply Change Advocate through the CCIB, with a commitment to increase opportunities for Indigenous businesses to participate in our supply chains and actively work toward embedding Indigenous businesses into our supply chains.
Sysco North
Sysco North, a division of Sysco Canada, was created to address food accessibility in remote northern Indigenous communities. Sysco partners with communities to provide the freshest, highest quality food direct at a competitive price.
Click here to learn more.
Sysco North
Sysco North, a division of Sysco Canada, was created to address food accessibility in remote northern Indigenous communities. Sysco partners with communities to provide the freshest, highest quality food direct at a competitive price.
Click here to learn more.
Community Relationships
Our Path Forward: Community Relationships is the commitment of meaningful engagement and support of Indigenous communities.
Community Engagement
Community Engagement provides resources to develop and sustain positive and progressive relationships with Indigenous communities, groups, and stakeholders. Sysco’s engagement also include communications, information sharing, involvement in events and activities, and partnerships.
Community Engagement
Community Engagement provides resources to develop and sustain positive and progressive relationships with Indigenous communities, groups, and stakeholders. Sysco’s engagement also include communications, information sharing, involvement in events and activities, and partnerships.
Community Support
Community Support is our commitment to develop positive and progressive relationships with Indigenous communities, groups, and stakeholders by providing financial and in-kind support to nurture and sustain positive and progressive relationships.
Community Support
Community Support is our commitment to develop positive and progressive relationships with Indigenous communities, groups, and stakeholders by providing financial and in-kind support to nurture and sustain positive and progressive relationships.
Through Collaboration
Meaningful collaboration and consultation are key components in Our Path Forward. This reflects respect for Indigenous rights and experiences, and strengthens sustainable relationships with Indigenous peoples, communities, and businesses.
Sysco and the Circle colleague resource group (CRG) have engaged with Elders, educators, and community leaders from coast to coast to coast for cultural awareness training, community engagement, and building sustainable and empowering relationships.
Sysco’s Commitment to Reconciliation
Sysco Canada has partnered with Storm Angeconeb, a self-taught Indigenous artist from Lac Seul First Nation, Treaty Three Territory, to develop designs for Our Path Forward. Storm’s creations echo the landscapes and ancestral stories that shape her identity. Many of her works include animals and birds as representations of herself or those close to her, sharing her journey and stories through her art.
You can learn more about Storm and her artwork by visiting her website: stormangeconeb.com
