Applied Decolonization: The Path to an Ethical Workplace
Applied decolonization can take your workplace from extractive, dehumanizing, and devaluing to supportive, ethical, and genuinely good. Let’s be a force of good in our world.
First, what is decolonization?
For this article, we define decolonization as the process of recovering from colonization by recovering pre-colonial wisdom, values, practices, and cultures. This process is intended to reinstate the ways of being that existed before contact with colonizers.
Why is colonialism a problem?
Colonialism is closely linked with genocide worldwide. In North America, settler colonialism has been called 'the American holocaust'. The brutal history of Canada’s settlement, the theft of the lives, land, language, and ways of being of Indigenous people, and our continued participation in the British Monarchy are defining characteristics of a culture that is rooted in the practices of racism and violence.
our Western culture operates more like a capitalist economy than a society.
Today, our Western American culture operates more like a capitalist economy than a society. We value productivity, profitability, and continuous growth above human rights, healthy communities, individuals, and ecologies. In this environment, many of us suffer with our basic needs being unmet, disconnection from ourselves, each other, and the environment — resulting in physical and mental health problems.
Therefore, decolonization is a journey that those who have been colonized and/or live in a colonized culture can reimagine, rethink, and reclaim their identities and ways of being.
A great resource: Laenui’s 5 phases of decolonization:
Poka Laenui, one of the pioneers in the advancement of Indigenous peoples' rights, outlined five stages in the process of decolonization in Processes of Decolonization: Rediscovery & Recovery; Mourning; Dreaming; Commitment; Action.
Laenui’s article is worth checking out to better understand each stage. For example, the first stage refers to the process where a colonized person rediscovers and recovers their own history, culture, language, and identity.
That first phase is also eloquently described in Sinead O’Connor’s song about the Irish “Famine” where she debunks the colloquial term “famine” and describes the genocidal practices of the British Empire in Ireland at the time.
We can’t actually change our culture, though - can we?
Yes! We do have the power to make a difference.
You may think that you can’t make a big impact when it comes to decolonization. Here’s the good news: you can apply the principles of decolonization and put them into action. It’s called applied decolonization.
Applied decolonization is the practical application of decolonization in education, healthcare, and workplace settings. Specifically with running businesses, it is the notion that we can run businesses without being extractive or contributing to people’s trauma.
So, how can we implement applied decolonization in our businesses?
At Remarkable Communications, adopting applied decolonization practices has been crucial for fostering our thriving workplace. As such, Remarkable team members feel supported and valued far beyond their ability to generate revenue or be productive.
Here are four practical ways to implement applied decolonization that have worked for me — I want to share them with you to help ignite meaningful change in your business:
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One of the most impactful actions you can take is to elevate the voices of Indigenous and marginalized communities. This not only helps people reclaim their narratives but shifts the focus back to the people and cultures that colonial structures have historically silenced. Listen actively and use the language preferred by those you work with rather than the language pushed by colonization.
Another way to do this is with inclusive hiring practices. At Remarkable, we prioritize hiring people from marginalized identities such as women, youth BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled people. We specifically emphasize hiring youth from the communities we serve. Creating and supporting a diverse team is a great way to tangibly dismantle power structures formed by colonialism.
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Self-awareness has been a foundational aspect of my (re)learning journey. As a white woman, I recognize the impact my identity can have in certain spaces. Acknowledging and holding myself accountable for my impact over my intent has been a game changer for me in this process. Being passively well-meaning isn’t enough. Decolonization can only happen with conscious effort to dismantle the structures that keep colonization going.
Self-education is a great starting point: search for articles, read White Privilege, and follow BIPOC creators. Most importantly, take time to reflect on the many systems that benefit white people while disadvantaging marginalized groups.
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Self-awareness has been a foundational aspect of my (re)learning journey. As a white woman, I recognize the impact my identity can have in certain spaces. Acknowledging and holding myself accountable for my impact over my intent has been a game changer for me in this process. Being passively well-meaning isn’t enough. Decolonization can only happen with conscious effort to dismantle the structures that keep colonization going.
Self-education is a great starting point: search for articles, read White Privilege, and follow BIPOC creators. Most importantly, take time to reflect on the many systems that benefit white people while disadvantaging marginalized groups.
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I have a passion for making things easier to understand, so I created an actionable acronym to cover everything you need to know about using applied decolonization to attract, retain, and rely on top talent. Here it is: “HI, NICE BIZ!” I invite you to dive into my three-part blog series, where I unpack the acronym and share practical tools for implementation. Start reading here.
Embracing applied decolonization actually helps everyone, and is a vital step in cultivating workplaces where everyone can thrive. In today’s world, more people are interested in doing work that matters and has a true impact on the world. If that sounds like you, don’t leave that as a distant dream! You can start the process now by following the principles of applied decolonization. Together, let’s reconsider how we conduct our businesses and create a more inclusive future!
As always, reach out if you want to share your journey of creating an ethical workplace or talk more about applied decolonization.
We’re all learning and growing together.