In a recent survey conducted by ComIT.org, a Canadian charity focused on the democratization of education and opportunity, a significant portion of Indigenous Canadians reported experiencing discrimination and bias in the Information Technology (IT) sector.
The survey, which targeted 500 Indigenous Canadians, aimed to assess workplace prejudices and concerns within this community, particularly those working in IT.
Key findings from ComIT.org’s survey reveal that 58.6% of respondents have faced discrimination in their current workplaces, with 56.2% admitting to downplaying their Indigenous backgrounds to better integrate. Concerns about career advancement were also prevalent, as 61.6% believe their Indigenous identity hinders their chances of promotion.
A striking 97.2% noted the scarcity of Indigenous representation in C-Suite positions in tech, a sentiment split across various degrees of agreement. When it comes to job applications, 62.4% felt bias due to their Indigenous identity, and over half have minimized their Indigenous background during job applications, with 33.8% choosing not to disclose their Indigenous heritage on social media profiles.
Pablo Listingart, Founder and Executive Director of ComIT.org, expressed concern over these statistics, emphasizing the long road ahead to ensure equitable opportunities.
The survey also shed light on the digital divide, with 54% citing economic barriers to education and 52.2% pointing to the necessity of relocating from their communities or the lack of remote job opportunities as major obstacles. Other factors include lack of family support (43.8%), limited access to remote education (38.2%), and unreliable internet connectivity (31.8%).
Listingart added that while the focus has been on improving connectivity infrastructure, the survey highlights a broader array of challenges, including the lack of remote job opportunities and educational alternatives, which are essential for community-based contributions.
In the Canadian IT job market, a combined 96% of the Indigenous respondents perceive systematic biases against Indigenous individuals. Additionally, 83% believe Indigenous IT workers face unique challenges, and 75% think stereotypes about Indigenous communities affect perceptions of their capabilities in the IT sector.
This survey by ComIT.org underscores the urgent need for addressing the underrepresentation and biases faced by Indigenous Canadians in the IT industry.
