2022 Indigenous Reconciliation & Connectivity Report
TELUS collaborated with
Our reconciliation commitment
Our guiding pillars
Our reconciliation strategy weaves together our strategic intent, TELUS values, and corporate priorities with four guiding pillars where TELUS believes we can enable the greatest outcomes as informed by Indigenous Peoples. It is underpinned by the integration of Indigenous ways of knowing and ethical space into TELUS.
Indigenous Advisory Council
Learning from Indigenous voices, TELUS has enlisted the services of experts in their field with lived experience to support our Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan (IRAP). The advisors will contribute strategic guidance on IRAP initiatives and provide their perspectives on how the initiatives can make meaningful progress towards reconciliation. In addition, they will advise TELUS in ongoing relationship development with Indigenous peoples and share Indigenous values and teachings as respected voices of their communities.
Carol Anne Hilton
Hesquiaht Nation, B.C
Dr. Kim van der Woerd
‘Namgis First Nation, B.C.
Shani Gwin
Métis Nation of Alberta
Luc Lainé
Huron-Wendat Nation, QC
Our Indigenous reconciliation action plan
TELUS is working on the implementation of our first five-year Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan (IRAP), remaining steadfast in our accountability to our Reconciliation commitments. TELUS team members are approaching our goals thoughtfully and respectfully, while ensuring steady progress and innovation in our goals. Our learning journey continues and we have created enhancements to existing goals. We continue to push for innovation and creativity through responding to the needs of Indigenous communities and we have increased the number of goals within our plan. We are pleased to share our Year 1 results.
Photo Credit: Mason Mashon, Saddle Lake Cree Nation.
Supporting Indigenous-led solutions
Learn how TELUS is putting our commitment to social impact into action.
Witness Blanket
Inspired by a woven blanket, the Witness Blanket is a large-scale work of art that bears witness to the experience and the legacy of Canada’s residential schools. It contains hundreds of items reclaimed from residential schools, churches, government buildings and traditional and cultural structures from across Canada, as well as pieces donated by survivors and their families.
TELUS is honoured to partner with the Canadian Museum of Human Rights and master carver and artist Carey Newman to provide the funding, tools and resources to digitize the Witness Blanket.
Photo: Jessica Sigurdson, CMHR
Indigenous Communities Fund
The TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund provides flexible grants to Indigenous-led programs supporting Indigenous Peoples across Canada.
Together, we can make the future friendly. That’s why TELUS is putting funds into the hands of Indigenous leaders and community groups who know their communities best. The TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund grants support Indigenous programs and community initiatives meeting social, health, cultural, and community needs.
Artwork:
nch7mut | One Heart, One Mind, One People
míkw’achi7m | Marissa Nahanee, sḵwx̱wú7mesh and nisga’a Nation
Photo Credit: Mason Mashon, Saddle Lake Cree Nation.
TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good
The TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good powers the biggest, boldest, bravest ideas and the next generation of startups building tech for good. We invest in entrepreneurs addressing the biggest challenges in health, education, agriculture and the environment, by connecting them with the resources and capital they need to grow and thrive.
The TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good showcases TELUS’ long-standing commitment to our communities by leveraging the power of technology to drive better social outcomes and economic growth.
Mobility for Good for Indigenous Women at Risk
Developed in partnership with the Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association*, BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, Prince George Native Friendship Centre, and Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of British Columbia, this program provides free smartphones and service to Indigenous women at risk or surviving violence.
*Regional partners for program execution include: Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary, Hinton Friendship Centre Society, Red Deer Native Friendship Centre Society, Miywasin Native Friendship Centre Society, Napi Friendship Centre, and Grand Prairie Friendship Centre
Previous reports
TELUS’ commitment to artistic integrity
We are committed to supporting the artistic practices of Indigenous Peoples, while being mindful of the historic role organizations have played in the misappropriation of Indigenous art and culture. We have an obligation and responsibility to ensure that TELUS’ use of Indigenous art in our digital and physical spaces is respectful of Indigenous artists. TELUS works with each artist to ensure that they retain full intellectual property and control over their work.
