From the Council Co-chairs

As we reflect on this significant year—marking the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action—we are reminded of both how far we’ve come and the meaningful work that still lies ahead. This milestone serves as a powerful backdrop to the important conversations and progress we’ve witnessed through TELUS’ Indigenous Advisory Council.
It is with mixed emotions that we bid farewell to Taylor Behn-Tsakoza, whose term with us concluded as she stepped into her new role as Councillor of Fort Nelson First Nation. Taylor’s wisdom, passion, and thoughtful contributions have left an indelible mark on our work together. We celebrate her achievement and know she will continue to be a powerful voice for her community. At the same time, we are pleased to welcome Shadrak (Shak) Gobért as our newest youth member, bringing fresh perspectives and energy to our council.
As co-chairs, we recognize the privilege of working alongside ten remarkable individuals—each carrying their own lived experiences, cultural knowledge and expertise—who share a commitment to reconciliation. In our fourth year of implementing TELUS’ Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan, we continue to learn from the depth and passion our advisors bring to every conversation.
This year, economic reconciliation has been central to many of our discussions, with our advisors demonstrating unwavering commitment to this important area of fostering equitable partnerships and opportunities with Indigenous communities. Their guidance has been clear: true partnership means creating space for Indigenous businesses to grow, thrive, and exercise economic self-determination. We’ve learned that when corporations like TELUS invest in building the capacity of Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses, we’re not just creating partnerships—we’re nurturing the foundations for lasting, meaningful relationships.
Our advisors have challenged us to think differently about TELUS’ Investment Consulting Services, envisioning how we can become a trusted ally in helping Indigenous communities achieve financial wellbeing on their own terms. They’ve highlighted the significant opportunity we have to use our industry influence to elevate Indigenous voices and perspectives in the financial sector, ensuring Indigenous rights are not just recognized, but respected and protected.
The ongoing dialogue around data ethics, governance, and artificial intelligence continues to be both complex and crucial. Our advisors have been generous in sharing their insights on how emerging technologies can respect and honour Indigenous rights, autonomy, and ways of knowing. Their feedback on our data governance practices ensures that the rich diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis cultures, languages, and knowledge systems are not just acknowledged but truly upheld.
When TELUS Sustainability returned to share updates on land restoration projects, including the Omahkotaan project with Blood Tribe (Kainai First Nation), we observed how our advisors’ earlier feedback had been integrated into the cultural and community aspects of these partnerships. This demonstrated the tangible impact of our collaborative approach.
As we look toward the future, we carry with us the lessons learned over these past ten years since the TRC Calls to Action were first shared with Canada. We are grateful for the trust our advisors place in us, for their patience as we learn and for their commitment to creating meaningful change within the communities we all serve.
TELUS has been awarded Silver certification under the Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) programme by the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business. This recognition acknowledges the substantial progress our team has achieved on our reconciliation journey, demonstrated through the initiatives highlighted above. Moving forward, we remain committed to advancing our reconciliation efforts with the goal of attaining Gold PAIR status in the coming years.
The journey of reconciliation requires authentic partnership and shared commitment—qualities we witness consistently in our Advisory Council meetings. Together, we are not just implementing strategies; we are building relationships, fostering understanding, and creating space for Indigenous voices to lead the way forward.
We invite you to learn more about our advisors and to hear their stories of working alongside TELUS in this important work.
With respect and gratitude,
Shazia & Sean
TELUS Indigenous Advisory Council Co-chairs
Shazia Zeb Sobani, Vice-president, National Fibre Networks, and
Sean Willy, TELUS Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer of Des Nedhe Group and member of Deninu Kue First Nation