Systemic racism in workplaces: Indigenous workers face ongoing discrimination, calling for structural change
Original framing: “How employers can get serious about tackling racism against Indigenous workers” — The Conversation - Global
The systemic racism faced by Indigenous workers is a direct legacy of colonial policies that sought to erase Indigenous identities and control their labor. Historical patterns of dispossession and forced assimilation continue to shape contemporary workplace discrimination.
Systemic racism against Indigenous workers is not just a workplace issue but a legacy of colonialism embedded in economic and institutional structures.
To address this, employers must move beyond performative diversity initiatives and engage in deep, structural change that includes Indigenous knowledge, leadership, and governance. By adopting Indigenous-led training, transparent reporting, and community partnerships, corporations can begin to dismantle the systems that perpetuate inequality. This approach aligns with global movements toward decolonization and justice, and it is supported by both historical and contemporary evidence of successful Indigenous-led models. The path forward requires humility, accountability, and a commitment to long-term transformation.