Telus commits to reconciliation action plan

Telus has made a public commitment to reconciliation announcing the company’s first-ever Indigenous reconciliation action plan.

The plan was released in its 2021 Reconciliation and Indigenous Connectivity Report and which Telus says was guided by Indigenous voices and Indigenous-led frameworks of reconciliation.

Telus hosted two rounds of engagement over 18 seasons with Indigenous leaders, Elders, subject matter experts, and Indigenous team members.

The company says it is committed having this manner of engagement as a cornerstone of Telus’ actions moving forward.

The short-term goals of the action plan include:

Connecting an additional 20 communities to broadband by 2023

• Launching the $1 million Telus Indigenous Communities Fund, which provides 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/or community building
• 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
• Achieving Bronze Progressive Aboriginal Relations status by demonstrating sustained leadership in the commitment to working with Indigenous businesses and prosperity in Indigenous communities by 2024

In 2022, an Indigenous advisory council consisting of Indigenous leaders, subject matter experts, and Elders within Telus serving areas will be established to provide ongoing advice and guidance on the implementation of the company’s reconciliation actions.

To ensure Indigenous ways of knowing are implemented throughout the organization, 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.

“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.

“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.”