The IT Nerd

This isn’t the usual tech news that I cover, but I thought that it was important enough to share.

TELUS has a longstanding commitment to strengthening relationships with Indigenous Peoples, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, acknowledging that our work spans many Traditional Territories and Treaty areas. Today, they are proudly launching their Reconciliation Commitment, a defining point in their journey that formalizes their commitment to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. This commitment will act as the foundation upon which they develop and implement their inaugural Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan later this year, and will inform and direct their corporate initiatives related to Reconciliation moving forward.

Corporate Canada has a significant role to play in the journey of Reconciliation, and at TELUS, they have taken — and continue to take — their responsibility very seriously. They recognize that Reconciliation commitments are only as good as the effort they put into building meaningful, productive, long-term relationships and holding themselves accountable to the commitments they make internally and externally. In formalizing their commitment to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples today, they are taking responsibility for constructive, measurable actions throughout their organization and culture in support of Reconciliation.

In partnership with Indigenous Peoples, TELUS is committed to progressing the journey of Reconciliation in a deeply meaningful way and dedicated to fulfilling their role and responsibilities in this regard. Their actions will be informed by:

• Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 10 Principles of Reconciliation and the 94 Calls to Action
• United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
• National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) 231 Calls to Justice
• Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) certification process through the Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business

In alignment with Indigenous Ways of Knowing, they have engaged Indigenous Leaders, Elders, community members, Indigenous professionals, and Indigenous TELUS team members from coast to coast to coast to provide their wisdom in the Reconciliation Commitment.

TELUS is grateful for the traditional Knowledge Keepers and Elders who are with us today, those who have gone before us and the youth that inspire us. As an act of Reconciliation, as recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, they recognize the land and the benefits it provides all of us, and express gratitude to those whose territory we reside on, work on, or are visiting.

We have a collective responsibility to acknowledge our shared history and how it continues to manifest today via ongoing discrimination against First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples. As individuals, leaders and corporations, we must continue to educate ourselves, acknowledge our biases, and actively support Reconciliation.

To learn more about our commitment to Reconciliation visit telus.com/reconciliation.