In Canada, today is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation—once known simply as Orange Shirt Day, a grassroots call to remember the children taken and the Survivors who live with the legacy of residential schools. In recent years, though, too often the orange shirts have become just another seasonal “drop,” a commercial symbol divorced from the hard truths this day demands we face. Reconciliation is not about a $25 t-shirt; it’s about dismantling systems of exclusion and building spaces where Indigenous people are safe, respected, and able to thrive.

In that spirit, we’re sharing one of our classic Bright + Early guides: The Bright + Early Guide to Indigenous-Friendly Work. It’s not new, but it still feels just as important today, especially as progress on reconciliation and equity work has slowed in the wider political climate.

The guide offers down-to-earth steps for creating workplaces where Indigenous employees can feel supported and included, from starting with your own reflection to centering Indigenous voices, reviewing policies and benefits, and building in real accountability. As you learn and reflect today, don’t stop at remembrance. Make space for Indigenous futures, and recognize that your choices—what you buy, how you lead, and what you normalize—either move reconciliation forward or hold it back. Allyship is measured in action, not accessories.

Maarsii,

Steph Bergman, Senior Consultant and Team Lead at Bright + Early

Bright Reads 📚

This guide on how to give a good talk goes beyond the usual tips. It’s written for researchers but the advice applies to anyone.

Going through an acquisition? Despite what you might think, leaning into nostalgia (about the acquired company, not the new one) when integrating acquired teams can help them feel seen, welcomed, and more likely to stick around.

A recent survey found that knowledge workers are drowning in maintenance tasks -the small, constant demands that keep everything running but leave little time for deep work (um, same).

Many workers feel they’re stagnating, stuck without growth opportunities or much change in the market salary-wise. Some companies are leaning into learning and development as a response; some are giving “peanut butter” (flat, all around) raises.

LinkedIn scammers and a flood of sketchy recruiters are making the job hunt even more of a hellscape.

A look into the lives of the kids central to the bay area’s current AI boom. Some of this feels same old (hyperoptimized young founders living together and working around the clock, parties with too many men, biohacking), some is less so (no one dates, and many regularly use AI for the bulk of their social communication).

A nice example of an open and well-communicated compensation structure.

Bullshit jobs might actually save us all.

A cheating scandal rocks the world of competitive stone-skimming.

Bright Jobs ☀️

Every issue, we’ll share a curated list of exciting jobs at Bright + Early partners. Bright + Early organizations are all committed to building human, inclusive places to work. Note that we’re not involved in hiring– please apply directly.

The Logic is hiring an Operations Coordinator for a 12 month contract.

The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness is looking for a Social Media Strategist.

Equality Fund is looking for an Officer, Learning and Impact.

Musical AI is hiring a Senior Manager, Full Stack Engineering and a Principal Machine Learning Engineer.

The Canadian Council of Innovators is looking for a Director of Partnerships for a 12 month leave contract.

Coming Up 👀

• October 10 is World Mental Health Day

• October 13 is Indigenous Peoples’ Day (USA)

• October 14 is Thanksgiving (Canada)

• October 31 is Halloween

October is:

• Breast Cancer Awareness Month

• National Disability Employment Awareness Month (USA)

• Women’s History Month (Canada)

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