Marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

In the lead up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, McDonald’s Canada is taking two actions in line with its purpose to feed and foster communities.

Awarding post-secondary bursaries for business education through Indspire 
As a supporter of the Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards program, McDonald’s Canada provided 10 awards in its second year supporting the program. This year’s McDonald’s Indigenous Bursary winners are enrolled in post-secondary business education programs and the funds can be used to help pay for any study-related costs. The winners are:

•    Alishia Benson McCarthy, Status First Nation Band, BC
•    Amanda Ginnish, Status First Nation Band, NB
•    Braedan Downer, Métis Nation, ON
•    Brianda Robillard, Status First Nation Band, SK
•    David Sinclair, Status First Nation Band, MB
•    Gwen Gray, Status First Nation Band, ON
•    Joshua Penner, Métis Nation, ON
•    Mick (Okamahwatic) Elliott, Status First Nation Band, SK
•    Renata Penney, Inuit Beneficiary, NL
•    Trishtina Godoy-Contois, Métis Nation, AB

“We are proud to partner with Indspire to support Indigenous students attending post-secondary business programs and congratulate all of the winners,” said Simone Alleyne, Senior Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Culture and Change, McDonald’s Canada. “We understand the positive impact different perspectives and backgrounds make in business and we want to ensure diverse voices are heard at leadership tables for years to come. And that starts with access to education.” 

Indspire is a national Indigenous registered charity that, in partnership with Indigenous, private and public sector stakeholders, educates, connects and invests in Indigenous people so they will achieve their highest potential. McDonald’s Canada is proud to play a small part in Indspire’s work and to contribute to call to action 92 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report on the role of business in reconciliation. In 2022-2023, Indspire awarded $27.5M in bursaries and scholarships to 7,522 First Nations, Inuit and Métis students. 

Bringing Indigenous author’s stories to families through the Happy Meal® book program
Since 2017 McDonald’s Canada has been offering families a choice of a book or toy when they order a Happy Meal®. Starting September 5th , while supplies last, there will be two books available from author Jan Bourdeau Waboose who conveys the Indigenous life she sees in her family, friends and community. The books are Sky Sisters and Morning on the Lake.
“The Happy Meals book program distributes thousands of books across Canada each year,” said Alyssa Buetikofer , Chief Marketing Officer, McDonald’s Canada. “So, it made sense to use that reach to help bring Jan’s beautiful stories to even more people so that they have a chance to learn a bit more about the lives of some of the Indigenous people in Canada.”