Celebrating and Acknowledging the Contributions of Native, Indigenous, and Aboriginal Communities around the World
To help build and leverage a vibrant workplace inclusive of Indigenous people and to create impactful change throughout the organization and beyond, Aramark employees started the Rising Sun employee resource group (ERG) to embrace and highlight Native and Indigenous people.
“We are proud of the work being done by our ERGs to develop and engage our people across the company,” said Fenimore Fisher, Vice President, Aramark Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. “ERGs like Rising Sun, based in Canada, help us align global workplace best practices, better invest in strategic partnerships with Indigenous serving organizations, and strengthen our ties to locally owned businesses and people in the communities where we live and work.”
Members of our Rising Sun ERG
Rising Sun’s New U.S. Hub
In November 2022, a new Rising Sun ERG hub was launched in Philadelphia to better connect the increasing number of employee members in the U.S. who identify as Indigenous or as allies of Native people and causes.
The ERG’s leadership team and executive sponsor have traditionally been based in Canada due, in part, to the country’s highly diverse Indigenous culture, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis people and communities. In addition, Aramark Canada has a team devoted to improving Indigenous relations.
“We’re so excited to see the expansion of our ERG in the U.S. to continue to engage members across the businesses and across countries,” said Katherine Jones, Rising Sun ERG Co-Chair.
Indigenous Recipe Workshop and Community Event
In October 2022, Aramark employees from the Ottawa region in Canada partnered with Parkdale Food Centre to champion the vision and mission of Rising Sun through a recipe workshop and meal preparation event.
Mohawk chef Chris Commandant, originally from the Wahta Haudenosaunee community, led Parkdale Food Centre’s weekly virtual cooking class, guiding participants through a demonstration of a Fall Harvest Stew recipe.
The dish includes ingredients traditionally used by Indigenous communities in the region, such as the incorporation of hominy and the exclusion of spices such as salt and pepper.
Chef Chris also facilitated a discussion about Indigenous food sovereignty and food insecurity. He explained to attendees that the celebration and honoring of Indigenous cuisine can help youth connect to their culture, empowering them to carry on this knowledge from community Elders and members.
The Aramark team helped prepare and portion approximately 350 nourishing meals, which were distributed to local non-profit organizations serving Indigenous community members.
Aramark has partnered with Parkdale Food Centre on a variety of projects over the years. Last fall, Aramark’s Carleton Dining team supported the opening of Mino’Weesini, Parkdale Food Centre’s community grocery program. In 2020, Aramark supported Parkdale Food Centre’s Cooking for a Cause program. Created in response to the pandemic, the program addressed hunger while also supporting restaurants struggling to keep their doors open.
Chef Chris Commandant led a virtual cooking class on how to make Fall Harvest Stew.
A Focus on Indigenous People, Cuisine, & Culture
Celebrating and Acknowledging the Contributions of Native, Indigenous, and Aboriginal Communities around the World
To help build and leverage a vibrant workplace inclusive of Indigenous people and to create impactful change throughout the organization and beyond, Aramark employees started the Rising Sun employee resource group (ERG) to embrace and highlight Native and Indigenous people.
“We are proud of the work being done by our ERGs to develop and engage our people across the company,” said Fenimore Fisher, Vice President, Aramark Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. “ERGs like Rising Sun, based in Canada, help us align global workplace best practices, better invest in strategic partnerships with Indigenous serving organizations, and strengthen our ties to locally owned businesses and people in the communities where we live and work.”
Members of our Rising Sun ERG
Rising Sun’s New U.S. Hub
In November 2022, a new Rising Sun ERG hub was launched in Philadelphia to better connect the increasing number of employee members in the U.S. who identify as Indigenous or as allies of Native people and causes.
The ERG’s leadership team and executive sponsor have traditionally been based in Canada due, in part, to the country’s highly diverse Indigenous culture, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis people and communities. In addition, Aramark Canada has a team devoted to improving Indigenous relations.
“We’re so excited to see the expansion of our ERG in the U.S. to continue to engage members across the businesses and across countries,” said Katherine Jones, Rising Sun ERG Co-Chair.
Indigenous Recipe Workshop and Community Event
In October 2022, Aramark employees from the Ottawa region in Canada partnered with Parkdale Food Centre to champion the vision and mission of Rising Sun through a recipe workshop and meal preparation event.
Mohawk chef Chris Commandant, originally from the Wahta Haudenosaunee community, led Parkdale Food Centre’s weekly virtual cooking class, guiding participants through a demonstration of a Fall Harvest Stew recipe.
The dish includes ingredients traditionally used by Indigenous communities in the region, such as the incorporation of hominy and the exclusion of spices such as salt and pepper.
Chef Chris also facilitated a discussion about Indigenous food sovereignty and food insecurity. He explained to attendees that the celebration and honoring of Indigenous cuisine can help youth connect to their culture, empowering them to carry on this knowledge from community Elders and members.
The Aramark team helped prepare and portion approximately 350 nourishing meals, which were distributed to local non-profit organizations serving Indigenous community members.
Aramark has partnered with Parkdale Food Centre on a variety of projects over the years. Last fall, Aramark’s Carleton Dining team supported the opening of Mino’Weesini, Parkdale Food Centre’s community grocery program. In 2020, Aramark supported Parkdale Food Centre’s Cooking for a Cause program. Created in response to the pandemic, the program addressed hunger while also supporting restaurants struggling to keep their doors open.
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, employees across the company joined events designed to raise awareness about and support people affected by breast cancer.
Aramark’s strong and growing network of employee resource groups (ERGs) highlights the diversity of our workforce, creates a more inclusive workplace, and supports our local communities. This school year, ERG members made sure that students across the country were ready, supported, and supplied with everything they needed for a great year ahead.
Rooted in our service and hospitality culture, thousands of Aramark employees give back to their communities around the world – demonstrating a true passion to do great things for our people, our partners, our communities, and our planet.
