VANCOUVER and MUSQUEAM, SQUAMISH and TSLEIL-WAUTUTH TERRITORIES — Telus Communications today announced the launch of its Indigenous Advisory Council to support its ongoing Reconciliation efforts.
“The creation of this advisory council is a direct result of extensive consultations Telus held with Indigenous Peoples in 2021, and is a key commitment outlined in Telus’ 2021 Reconciliation and Indigenous Connectivity Report including delivering on Telus’ commitment to listen, learn and understand how Telus can meet unique needs of Indigenous peoples and build meaningful relationships through cultural responsiveness and relationships pillar,” reads Telus’ press release.
Officially called the Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Council (IRAPAC), the advisory council will “provide guidance and advice for the effective implementation of Telus’ commitments and targets outlined in the report,” the release says. It “is composed of respected Indigenous leaders and professionals with experience serving in their communities, and who are committed to working alongside Telus to advance its reconciliation commitment and goals.”
Indigenous Advisory Council members include:
- Carol Anne Hilton – Nuu chah nulth from Hesquiaht First Nation, British Columbia
- Kim van der Woerd – ‘Na̱mǥis First Nation, British Columbia
- Shani Gwin – Métis Nation, Alberta
- Luc Lainé – Huron-Wendat Nation, Quebec
More information about the advisory council members can be found here.
The IRAPAC will be co-chaired by Telus board member Sean Willy, president and CEO of Des Nedhe Development, and Telus vice-president of customer network implementation Shazia Zeb Sobani.
Advisory council members will serve two-year terms. Five additional members will be appointed in 2023, the release says.
“Telus is demonstrating tremendous leadership in the economic reconciliation space and can have the greatest impact in reconciliation by helping to advance Indigenous economic strength and the growth of Indigenous communities — of creating the space for inclusion,” said Hilton, who is CEO and founder of the Indigenomics Institute and the Global Centre of Indigenomics, in the release.
“I look forward to supporting Telus in their reconciliation efforts by providing insight into trends in Indigenous economic growth and supporting the design of corporate relationships with Indigenous communities,” Hilton added.
Telus’ press release says the advisory council “will work to ensure Indigenous ways of knowing are implemented throughout the organization, advise Telus on ongoing relationship development with Indigenous Peoples, share Indigenous values and teachings as respected voices of their respective communities, and provide feedback to Telus based on their lived experience and subject matter expertise.”
“The establishment of this advisory council demonstrates our continued commitment to working collaboratively with Indigenous Peoples through meaningful engagement in our efforts to provide world-leading connectivity, tools and resources that enable unique community, social, economic, and governance goals,” said Sobani.
“Personally, I am looking forward to learning from these respected advisory council members, and we are thankful for their openness to share their knowledge and time, as we work collaboratively to contribute to positive generational changes in communities.”
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