Journey to Diversity · @J2DWP
11th May 2021 from TwitLonger
2021 #J2DW AGM #Keynote Speaker
Speaker: Maj. Indira Thackoire, CD
Born in San Fernando, Trinidad, Major Indira Thackorie moved to Canada at the age of 13. She joined the Canadian Armed Forces fours later through a co-op program in high school and reached the rank of Sergeant before commissioning as an officer in 2008. Indira is a full time Reserve Major in the Canadian Army in Ottawa, Ontario. She has been deployed twice overseas. First in 2002 with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in the Golan Heights, Israel, and in 2006 under Operation Enduring Freedom in Kandahar, Afghanistan. She has also spent time training military personnel in Toronto, Borden, Ottawa and Jakarta, Indonesia.
After her return from Afghanistan, Indira worked as a Communications Advisor for the National Defence Public Affairs Office in Toronto focusing on strategic engagement with key stakeholders for the military. Following this position she became the Public Affairs Officer for the Op CONNECTION team at Land Force Central Area Headquarters/Joint Task Force Central showcasing the military at large scale events across Ontario. This was a pre-cursor to her favourite job experience which was during her three years with two of the three Canadian demo teams: the Canadian Forces Parachute Team – The SkyHawks (2010 – 2012) and the Snowbirds (2016). As the Public Affairs Officer with the demo teams Indira travelled across North America showcasing the professionalism, dedication and teamwork it takes to be a part of Canada’s military. This is when she realized her love and skill sets in voice work and has since become the only female air show narrator in Canada.
During her five years at the Canadian Joint Operation Command Indira led communications for Operation DISTINCTION, the military’s national commemorations efforts. Following that she was an advisor to the Chief of the Reserves and held a position with the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group doing marketing & advertising where one of her responsibilities was attractions efforts aimed at having more women understand the value of military service.
Though the military has offered many different adventures the most meaningful work of her career is currently being done at the Directorate of Human Rights and Diversity where Indira is the desk officer for women. She has the honour of contributing to the military’s vision to create a more inclusive workplace where all everyone has a sense of belonging, are valued for their unique capabilities and are encouraged to bring their authentic selves to work. She currently works on Inclusion and Diversity, Employment Equity and Communications.