On the eve of September 30, 2023, LCM Attorneys joins the entire Canada in commemorating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This significant day aims to acknowledge the historical suffering and injustices experienced by Indigenous peoples in Canada and promote reconciliation between communities. It is also a moment of reflection on the harm caused by Indigenous residential schools, allowing us to pay tribute to the missing children, survivors, their families, and all their communities.

Listening to individuals from Indigenous communities share their experiences and concerns is an essential prerequisite for better understanding their realities and for hoping to contribute to reconciliation and a greater respect for the rights of Indigenous peoples in the future. On the occasion of this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we have invited a team of trainers from Indigenous communities to address all employees of the firm to help us better understand the issues, history, and culture of Indigenous peoples. We'd like to thank Kévin Bacon and Kate Bacon from Uashashkutuan for coming in this week to share their stories and personal experiences with us.

As a sign of respect and tribute to Indigenous peoples, we have also chosen to give an Indigenous name to one of our conference rooms, which offers a spectacular view of Mount Royal. After extensive consultations with Indigenous communities and linguists, we have selected the name "Onontowanen" / "Kanontowá:nen," which means "great mountain" in the Mohawk language. This name is intended to recognize the longstanding presence of Indigenous peoples on the land we inhabit today and to serve as a constant reminder of the importance of the Mohawk communities (Kanien'kehá:ka) in the history of Montreal and Quebec.