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Closing the gap: How DEI enriches the fabric of an organization
August 4, 2023

By Madeleine Bote for Industry West Magazine

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are values that every business should uphold and strive for when it comes to the inclusion of different groups. The TIPI Group of Companies, an Indigenous-owned and led economic development engine, understands this necessity to make not only Indigenous voices heard in business, but to create spaces where everyone can thrive. DEI doesn’t stop at just gender equality but extends to consider how individuals from different backgrounds and abilities are included and represented across all layers of an organization.


Representation matters


At TIPI, it is believed that DEI doesn’t stop at gender or race equality but must extend to Indigenous engagement and reconciliation in a meaningful way.


“DEI is about enriching the fabric of an organization through focused efforts on preparing a safe, respectful environment that aims to reduce barriers to success,” says Janice Gladue. “This means that leadership must be committed to examining systems, policies, and practices to identify these barriers. They must be open to challenge the status quo and to develop new ways of being and doing things. Change must be real to be impactful.”

Gladue is the chief operating officer (COO) of the TIPI Group of Companies, an Indigenous-owned economic development engine that drives capacity, manages risks, and enables transformation for its communities and clients. The group of companies currently employs nearly 100 people and has operations across the country.


Corporate diversity, equity and inclusion efforts often focus on addressing gaps in representation through recruitment and then fall short in retention. One of the pitfalls an organization may experience is that they do not dig deep to define what successful DEI and Indigenous Engagement looks, feels and means for their organization. Not adjusting their culture and practices and not having clarity on what equity means often results in their efforts running flat. Setting goals that amount to filling quotas will not amount to longevity and success.


“Truth and Reconciliation is foundational to successful corporate Indigenous Engagement initiatives. Committing to learning the truth of the history and experience of Indigenous people should be a starting point for Leadership in order to drive success within their teams and organizations,” Gladue says. “At TIPI we understand what it takes to truly drive change in this regard. TIPI was initially created in 1999 for the sole purpose of closing the gap in representation of Indigenous people as insurance professionals and to change the experience and access of Indigenous communities to insurance coverage.”


Building something new


“There weren’t a lot of Indigenous people in the industry at that time, so we had to build them up. This meant we had to find good people who had core skills, abilities, and some business acumen and then we invested in their training and development through mentorship and support,” says Gladue. The investment of time and the active work put towards their partners and employees is why TIPI created an industry space for Indigenous communities.


Today, TIPI has grown beyond its insurance offerings and has expanded its services to include human resources consulting, talent acquisition services, group benefit administration, and a Truth and Reconciliation for business initiative. Who they are and what they do are grounded in principles that honour and advance Truth & Reconciliation in their work and relationships.


Leading the way


In a world where there are many companies who need help on Indigenous inclusion and engagement through DEI, TIPI fills a niche and bridges a gap within other companies and industries. Legacy Bowes, another organization within TIPI Group of Companies, has Indigenous staff as well as staff that are experienced within Indigenous communities. “The value of leaning in to build our workforce that is at our feet and that is representative of particularly Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Alberta, only makes good business sense,” says Gladue.


TIPI works to talk about how to include the impacts of trauma and mental health in employees. This is important when it comes to their work with DEI, as the perspectives of their staff primarily reflect Indigenous ideas and perspectives on diversity that currently are still emerging and developing in a corporate dialogue. TIPI innovates the industry standard for establishing DEI amongst their companies because they are by and for Indigenous and minority groups, thus making their work integral the building blocks of diversity, equity, and inclusion.


Showing up


The meaningful and intentional application of DEI within business and policy is what brings minority voices forward and allows employees to thrive, and also allows for groups to express themselves with integrity and authenticity within business. That is what makes the work of companies like TIPI integral to our evolving business world. By building themselves up with integrity and setting an example, TIPI not only closes the gap, but builds a strong bridge for voices to be elevated in the industries they work in.

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Top fire safety tips for your home

By Kendra Hinton • November 29, 2023
Learning how to prevent fires is one of the most important things you can do for your home and your community. Read on for some fire safety tips to help you protect your home and communities from preventable fires.

Commonly asked questions about disability insurance

June 21, 2023
By TIPI Staff Disability insurance helps protect your economic wellbeing. If you’re unable to work because of illness or an accident, this coverage can replace some of your earnings with a monthly benefit to help you pay your expenses. But how does it work exactly? Read on for some frequently asked questions our team receives from clients! Frequently asked questions What is the purpose of disability insurance? What does disability insurance cover? How do I apply for disability insurance? How do I submit my disability claim? How much do I receive from disability insurance? How long can I stay on disability insurance once I’m approved? My family member is sick, and I need to stay home to take care of them. Can I use disability insurance for this purpose? My spouse is on my plan and is unable to work, can they apply for disability under my plan? Why is my case manager asking for medical information? Do the short-term disability insurance premiums continue once an employee is approved for short-term disability? When completing forms what do I put as the last day worked and first day absent? Will I receive my benefits on the same pay schedule as my job? What is the difference between "own occupation" and "any occupation" in disability insurance? Answers to your questions about disability insurance What is the purpose of disability insurance? Disability insurance is a wage replacement benefit. Its purpose is to support employees if they are unable to work due to illness or accident while they recover with a goal of them returning to work. Disability insurance is not meant to be used as a lifetime support. What does disability insurance cover? There are many illnesses and injuries covered through disability, but it is important to determine whether the illness or injury prevents you from performing the duties of your job. In order for your coverages to be approved, you must meet the definition of disability as defined in your group policy. This information can be found in your benefit booklet, which can be obtained from your employer’s Plan Administrator, or by accessing the Plan Details section of the TIPI Care Plan Portal . How do I apply for disability insurance? If you are unable to work due to an illness or injury, you can start your disability claim by calling our office and speaking to one of our disability client service representatives. They will guide you through the process of applying for disability through your disability insurance provider. There are typically three forms that need to be submitted as part of your claim: an employer statement, an employee statement, and an attending physician’s statement. Some providers may require additional forms. How do I submit my disability claim? You can submit your claim through our office by emailing [email protected] or by faxing your claim to 204-949-3503. How much do I receive from disability insurance? The amount of income replacement you would receive depends on your group benefit plan and your regular salary. It is a specific percentage of your pre-disability earnings determined according to your group benefit plan. This information can be found in your benefit booklet, which can be obtained from your employer’s Plan Administrator, or by accessing the Plan Details section of the TIPI Care Plan Portal . How long can I stay on disability insurance once I’m approved? Once approved for disability, you will continue to receive benefits provided you continue to meet the definition of disability. This is determined by your condition, severity of symptoms, and the provisions of your group benefits plan. Short-term disability and long-term disability both have a maximum length of time you can receive benefits. This varies from plan to plan, and this can be found in your benefit booklet, which can be obtained from your employer’s Plan Administrator, or by accessing the Plan Details section of the TIPI Care Plan Portal . My family member is sick, and I need to stay home to take care of them. Can I use disability insurance for this purpose? No, disability insurance can only be used when the employee is sick or injured. Compassionate care may be an option and is available through the federal Employment Insurance program. My spouse is on my plan and is unable to work. Are they able to apply for disability under my plan? No, the disability insurance provided under the group plan only applies to the employee. Why is my case manager asking for medical information? After your claim has been approved, a case manager will be assigned to you. As you go through your recovery process, they may request additional medical information to assess your progress, determine whether you continue to meet the definition of disability, and determine whether additional supports can be provided. Do the short-term disability insurance premiums continue once I am approved for short-term disability? Yes, the premiums for short-term disability are charged throughout the short-term disability period. Once the employee is approved for long-term disability, the premiums for short-term disability are waived. When completing forms what should I put as the last day worked and first day absent? Your last day worked is the day that the employee was last performing the duties of their job. Your first day absent is the first day they were scheduled to work but were unable to work because they had become disabled. If your employer paid you sick or vacation time after you were last at work, there is also a place to enter this date. Will I receive my benefits on the same pay schedule as my job? Your payment schedule is determined by the date you became disabled and your waiting period according to your plan. What is the difference between "own occupation" and "any occupation" for long-term disability insurance? On most benefit plans, for the first two years of disability, you are insured based on the " own occupation " definition, which means your specific job duties that you had been performing up to the time you became disabled . After two years , pending medical evidence, the insurance provider will assess if your disability prevents you from being gainfully employed in any job which provides you with an income of at least 50% of your monthly earnings before you became disabled. Your disability claim may be extended if you cannot do any job as noted above within a pre-determined distance from your home city, as determined by your benefit plan and/or provincial legislation. Don’t see your question here? Reach out to our team by email at [email protected] , or by phone at 1-855-266-TIPI (8474).

5 Steps you need to take to make a Property & Casualty Insurance Claim

By Mallory Clarkson • February 13, 2023
There are many reasons why you might need to make a Property & Casualty insurance claim. A fire or flood could damage your property; your business could be burglarized or frauded; one of your staff members could get into a collision while using a company vehicle. Here are the steps you should take if you need to make a Property & Casualty insurance claim: Prevent further damage If needed, call emergency services for emergent situations. If required, call emergency restoration services to prevent the situation from worsening. For example, you would call emergency restoration services to pump out water and dry a building out in the event of a flood to prevent the development of mold. File a report with the authorities In some incidents, we will require an official report from the authorities to be able to process your claim. For example, in the case of a fire, we will need a report from the Fire Marshal and in the case of a crime like fraud or burglary, we will require a police report. Call your account executive As soon as possible, notify your insurance broker of the incident. Provide as much detail as possible about the circumstances and the assets that have been damaged or lost. If it is safe to do so, take photos of the damage. Be sure to provide a main point of contact for the individual who will be handling the claim. Await an adjuster After you make a claim, you will be contacted by an adjuster who will set up a time to take a statement, will determine the amount of damage or loss, and will go over a proof of loss. The adjuster will hire an appraiser or contractor to assess the loss. Get quotes Get quotes (usually three) for repairs or replacements. Submit them before beginning repairs or replacing assets. Once completed, the adjuster will contact you regarding the settlement of your claim and payment. Be sure to spend time familiarizing yourself with your policy to ensure you understand your coverages, rights, and responsibilities. Contact your account executive to review your policy to ensure all coverages of properties, assets, and operations are up-to-date.
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