Advancing the Indigenous Workforce at True Mechanical

Honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada

In Canada, every project is built on more than just land—it’s built on history, culture, and community. As we approach National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, True Mechanical reaffirms its commitment to walking this journey with integrity, humility, and action.

Why September 30 Matters

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was established to honour children who never came home from residential schools and to acknowledge Survivors, their families, and communities. It is also tied to Orange Shirt Day, rooted in the story of Phyllis Webstad and the broader legacy of cultural loss, symbolising how Indigenous children were stripped of dignity, identity, and connection to home. This day is more than remembrance. It is a call to ensure memory leads to meaningful change.

We owe it to the children who never returned; we owe it to survivors; we owe it to our communities. To build projects that stand, we must first build relationships that last. True Mechanical is committed to that. And we invite you to join us.

Our Truth and Reconciliation Journey

Reconciliation isn’t one-day symbolism; it’s a lived, ongoing commitment. Over the past years, we’ve invested real time, capital, and strategy to weave Indigenous relationship work into our core operations. To us, this is not a slogan, it’s how we intend to operate.

• We engage in genuine dialogue, not box-checking consultations.
• We recognise that our sites and projects exist on unceded or treaty lands, and that we must listen to and learn from local Nations.
• We support community outreach and education efforts, inviting our teams to deepen their understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures, and the contemporary realities of colonial legacies.
• We align our corporate strategy to uphold the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, the spirit of which is rooted in accountability, healing, and justice.

Guiding the Way: The Role of Indigenous Relationship Consultants.

One of the clearest ways we demonstrate commitment is by partnering with Indigenous relationship consultants. This is not about “checking a box”—it is about letting relationships and respect guide every project. Here’s how this partnership helps:

• Bridge culture and trust – Consultants help translate between Indigenous community expectations and corporate norms, turning stakeholder engagement from transactional to relational.
• Cultural guidance and protocols – Proper protocol, ceremony, language, and respect are essential for authentic partnerships.
• Economic inclusion – By centring Indigenous values, talent, businesses, and youth in our work, we build shared prosperity.
• Strengthened accountability – Their voice ensures we don’t drift into tokenism but remain anchored in continuous learning and course correction.

We are especially proud to be working with Amber Gregory in this role.

Amber Gregory

“I’m honoured to support True Mechanical as they strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities and create meaningful opportunities for Indigenous youth in the construction industry.

My role includes advising on proper cultural protocols, supporting staff with cultural awareness, and building pathways for Indigenous youth through skills development, apprenticeships, and Red Seal certification.

I also partner with True to create opportunities for Indigenous trades companies, helping ensure economic reconciliation is woven into every project. I am inspired by the progress we’ve made and energised by the work ahead. By connecting with schools, training institutions, Indigenous organisations, and local trades, we are building real capacity, nurturing talent, and creating tangible pathways for economic empowerment.

My work is about breaking down barriers, facilitating genuine partnerships, and opening doors that empower Indigenous youth and strengthen the construction industry for generations to come.” — Amber Gregory

What We Are Doing: Concrete Actions.

Reconciliation isn’t just a statement—it’s action. At True Mechanical, we’re investing real time, resources, and accountability into this journey. Here are some of the concrete steps we’re taking to make reconciliation part of how we build every day.

• Workforce & youth pathways – We’re building programs to train and apprentice Indigenous youth into trades roles (e.g. Red Seal pathways).
• Supplier and subcontractor inclusion – We’re prioritizing Indigenous-owned trades and subcontractors where possible.
• Cultural training and capacity building – All our staff, from site crews to leadership, undergo cultural awareness and reconciliation training—not once, but continually.
• Community-led consultation – We engage Nations early and often, listening to their land-use concerns, economic goals, environmental priorities, and social values.
• Measurable accountability – We set targets (hiring, procurement, partnerships), report progress, solicit feedback, and course correct as needed.

Invitation to Join the Journey.

Reconciliation is a collective undertaking. We call on other companies, partners, and readers to consider: What does your reconciliation journey look like?

• Step beyond: Symbolic gestures. Engage Indigenous voices meaningfully and early.
• Embed accountability: Into your structure. Set measurable goals, publish progress, and allow for external review.
• Invest: In Indigenous youth, skills training, mentorship, and career pathways.
• Prioritise: Indigenous businesses in procurement and contracting.
• Encourage: Your networks, suppliers, and clients to adopt these practices as well.

Reach out if you’d like to learn how we’re doing it, share what you’re trying, or partner on a reconciliation initiative. The path is wide enough for all of us.

Land Acknowledgement

True Mechanical acknowledges with gratitude the beautiful place where we live, work, and play. These lands are the traditional territory of the Coast Salish people, including the nations of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh [Ss-KAW-hoh-mesh] (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ [tSLAY-wah-tooth] (Tsleil-Waututh), and the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.

Contact us today to learn more about our services or to explore a rewarding career in mechanical contracting. The future is mechanical—let’s build it together.