Equity, representation, and inclusion are not easy to talk about, but the CPA Education Foundation (the charitable arm of the CPA profession in Alberta) believes that, as the profession continues to grow, it is our responsibility to engage in meaningful conversations about uncomfortable or complicated subjects. As part of June’s National Indigenous History Month, the Foundation’s Hesje CPA Knowledge Centre is proud to host Robert Andrews CPA, CMA, an Indigenous Albertan, in a three-part “Straight From the CPA’s Mouth” podcast episode exploring racism in Canada.
“I bear the scars of the residential school experience,” says Robert, Executive Director of the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Alberta and an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Business at Athabasca University, in part one of this special episode. “Our broader society says ‘you should be able to fix yourself, you should be able to bootstrap.’ And it has very much the flavour of blaming the victim. It’s sadly based on a misapprehension … and ignorance of the history and the impacts of these things.” This is just one example of the very real experiences and perspectives Robert brings to listeners’ attention in the podcast. Over the course of the three parts, Robert dives into a variety of pertinent topics including: intergenerational trauma, restorative justice, moving towards healing and reconciliation, and the path towards equity in our country.
The three parts to this episode are being released on the Hesje CPA Knowledge Centre website (or wherever you normally get your podcasts) every Tuesday from June 15 to 29. The Hesje CPA Knowledge Centre is a branch of the CPA Education Foundation and strives to share the vast expertise and unique perspectives of CPAs from all over Alberta. If you’re interested in learning more about the Knowledge Centre, please visit Hesje CPA Knowledge Centre (cpaalberta.ca).
