A matter of perspective: Ali on discovering her Indigenous heritage

Growing up biracial, I connected with many parts of my heritage—summers in China with my dad’s family and weekends exploring European and Canadian roots with my maternal grandparents. Yet one part remained mostly unexplored: my Indigenous heritage.

After my great-grandfather passed, my family pieced together this lost chapter of our story and discovered he was part of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. Through research and stories, we embraced this new part of our identity with curiosity and pride. This discovery expanded my perspective, helping me embrace a fuller sense of self and deepening my understanding of identity, culture and connection.

While being biracial has made me familiar with embracing culture, this journey deepened my empathy and strengthened my ability to connect with others—in life and at work. These lessons help me build authentic relationships with colleagues and clients from diverse backgrounds, fostering openness and collaboration.

Our firm’s recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation offers space for us to reflect and grow. It’s a reminder that embracing difference, even when it’s unfamiliar, enriches both our personal and professional lives by making us more adaptable and empathetic.

For me, embracing my Indigenous heritage has been a gift—a deeper identity that fuels greater understanding and reminds me true growth comes from curiosity, respect and leading with kindness to build inclusive, meaningful connections.

Ali is a marketing manager in our Business Enablement practice and leads employer brand and talent acquisition marketing. She lives in Toronto, on the traditional territory of many nations, including the Chippewa, Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.