Aligning business practices with the needs of Indigenous Peoples
In alignment with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #92, TELUS is committed to supporting the growth of the Indigenous economy and working together with the Indigenous communities we serve and businesses we work with to support generational change.
Supporting Indigenous businesses and entrepreneur growth is a key focus of our strategy with TELUS Pollinator Fund, now part of TELUS Global Ventures, having invested more than 7.3% to date in Indigenous-led startups that drive social and environmental impact while aligning with TELUS’ core business objectives.
From adjusting how we procure from Indigenous businesses to supporting responsible AI usage to creating opportunities for Indigenous students to gain experience in technology roles, we are better aligning our business practices with Indigenous-led frameworks of reconciliation each year.
Explore below how our commitment to economic reconciliation is shaping the way we do business.
When the TELUS network goes down – due to weather, a car accident or theft – disrupting power and connectivity in northern British Columbia, TELUS calls on Complete Communications Works (CCW) as one of our trusted suppliers to restore our network with limited downtime.
In 2023, as the world grappled with headlines on ChatGPT, TELUS committed to incorporating Indigenous perspectives into its well-established data ethics and artificial intelligence (AI) strategy and began engagements and workshops to listen and learn.
TELUS’ commitment to Indigenous employment
TELUS’ commitment to Indigenous employment is grounded in building intentional relationships with Indigenous candidates and team members. It is through these relationships that we are learning how to better support Indigenous team members throughout their career journeys with initiatives like the Pathways mentor program led by the Eagles employee resource group.
TELUS is committed to celebrating diverse Indigenous representation and recently launched a new Boundless careers guide for Indigenous candidates featuring artwork from First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists.
Read more about the next chapter of TELUS’ Indigenous employment strategy and meet the new co-chairs of Eagles.
Those that roam
Elizabeth Buller
Plains Cree and Métis Mistawasis First Nation, SK
Those that fly
Qavavau Manumie
Inuk Kinngait, NU
Those that crawl
Mishiikenh Kwe
Anishinaabe (Ojibwe/Odawa) Magnetawan First Nation, ON
Those that swim
Coria Savard (Yahl ‘Aadas)
Haida Haida Nation, B.C.
Investing in Indigenous students
Caring for our planet and respecting Indigenous environmental stewardship
TELUS is deeply committed to caring for our planet. We consider our environmental impact in every decision we make, viewing sustainability as a core aspect of our corporate strategy.
Our environmental commitments and reconciliation strategy are thoughtfully interlinked as we acknowledge Indigenous Peoples’ profound role as stewards of their lands. We integrate Indigenous perspectives into our environmental projects, as exemplified by our watershed restoration partnerships with Blood Tribe and Piikani First Nation (watch online). These collaborations support ecosystem recovery, cultural preservation and foster economic opportunities, reflecting our commitment to meaningful relationships.
To learn more about TELUS’ environmental stewardship and climate strategy, visit telus.com/sustainability.
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.
In 2024, expanding on our commitment to artistic integrity, we declared that we will not use AI technology to create or replicate the art of or imagery of Indigenous Peoples.