VANCOUVER and MUSQUEAM, SQUAMISH and TSLEIL-WAUTUTH TERRITORIES — Telus Communications today released its 2021 Indigenous Reconciliation and Connectivity Report, which is an evolution of its annual connectivity report and includes the company’s first-ever Indigenous reconciliation action plan.
Earlier this fall, Telus announced the launch of its Reconciliation Commitment and said it would implement its inaugural Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan later this year.
“Guided by Indigenous voices and Indigenous-led frameworks of reconciliation, Telus has proudly formalized our commitment to reconciliation, becoming the first technology company in Canada to develop and launch a public Indigenous reconciliation action plan,” reads the company’s press release today.
To develop its Indigenous reconciliation strategy and action plan, “Telus hosted two rounds of engagement over 18 sessions with Indigenous leaders, Elders, subject matter experts, and Indigenous team members from across our serving areas, and we are committed to having this manner of engagement as a cornerstone of Telus’ actions moving forward,” the release says.
“At Telus, we have a longstanding dedication to working collaboratively with Indigenous Peoples through meaningful engagement to provide world-leading connectivity, tools and resources that enable unique community, social, economic, and governance goals as showcased throughout the report,” said Tony Geheran, executive vice-president and chief customer officer for Telus, in the release.
“We take our responsibility very seriously, and we are becoming more intentional in our commitments to reconciliation through both strong relationships and supporting the recommendations of Indigenous-led frameworks for reconciliation including Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 10 Principles of Reconciliation and the 94 Calls to Action, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls 231 Calls to Justice, focusing on creating a better company and contributing to positive generational changes in communities,” Geheran said.
During 2021, Telus connected 48 Indigenous lands to its advanced broadband networks and 382 Indigenous lands to 5G, according to the press release.
The company’s short-term action plan targets include: connecting an additional 20 Indigenous communities to broadband by 2023; launching the $1-million Telus Indigenous Communities Fund, which will provide grants of up to $50,000 to Indigenous-led organizations focused on mental health and well-being, language and cultural revitalization, access to education, and community building; and working with Indigenous educators to develop and deliver e-learning material and ensuring learning opportunities and resources are available and accessible to Telus team members.
Telus has enrolled in the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program, a certification program by the Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business that confirms corporate performance in Aboriginal relations.
Another of the company’s short-term goals is to achieve Bronze PAR status “by demonstrating sustained leadership in our commitment to working with Indigenous businesses and prosperity in Indigenous communities by 2024,” the release says.
Next year, Telus will establish an Indigenous advisory council consisting of Indigenous leaders, Elders and subject matter experts “to provide ongoing advice and guidance on the implementation of Telus’ reconciliation actions,” the release says.
The advisory council “will monitor the progress of Telus’ Indigenous strategies and provide guidance for effective implementation of Telus’ commitments and targets outlined in the annual Indigenous reconciliation and connectivity report and internal Indigenous reconciliation action plans. Every year, the Indigenous reconciliation action plan will be evaluated and refreshed in collaboration with the Indigenous advisory council.”
According to Telus’ 2021 Indigenous Reconciliation and Connectivity Report, 240 Indigenous communities are serviced by Telus, more than 80,000 people living in Indigenous communities have access to the Telus PureFibre network, and 91 Indigenous communities and 151 Indigenous lands are connected to Telus PureFibre/coax.
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Image borrowed from Telus’ 2021 Indigenous Reconciliation and Connectivity Report.
