Connecting Canada
National Indigenous Peoples Day 2023 Recap
Jul 13, 2023
June 21 marked National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD) - a time to celebrate the diverse cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
Thanks to our incredible partners, TELUS was invited to support and participate in over 12 different Indigenous-led events across British Columbia and Alberta. We want to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of every person who made these events possible.
TELUS remains committed to building meaningful relationships by listening, learning and truth-telling. We are proud to amplify Indigenous voices and leadership. This June, our TELUS team members continued to embark on the path towards Reconciliation and aligned with the pillar of
Cultural Responsiveness and Relationships
participated in a wider variety of learning opportunities, engaged with communities and joined in on celebrations. To close out National Indigenous History month, we asked our TELUS team members to share their reflections on National Indigenous Peoples Day 2023.
Keep reading to find out more.
Indigesteam at Edmonton TELUS World of Science NIPD event - Stephanie Han - Senior Program Manager
![A screenshot of a live stream from National Indigenous Peoples Day, where families gather outside of TELUS World of Science.](https://images.ctfassets.net/tfxr30ndr1hr/4gAuZAH1ptmTCQzzSktNk0/ef79dbc1c1ab460b4b8a950137cfafc1/1.png?fm=webp&w=1900&q=80)
Stephanie was able to participate in the National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration at the TELUS World of Science® in Edmonton from her home in Vancouver, British Columbia as a robot.
Using only a laptop and a pair of headphones, she was able to maneuver a robot through the facility. There were kids of all ages playing with robotics and families enjoying the celebrations and through the robot Stephanie was able to talk and connect with in-person attendees.
This robot was dressed in traditional regalia with a ribbon skirt adorned with braids.
Learn more about the
event at TELUS World of Science
.Thank you for
Indigesteam - a spring 2022 recipient of the TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund
for extending this extraordinary opportunity. T'exelc (Williams Lake) NIPD celebration - Darren Ketlo - Indigenous Connectivity & Relationship Lead
![Darren Ketlo and the TELUS wireless real estate team participating in the T’exelc event and showcase on the field.](https://images.ctfassets.net/tfxr30ndr1hr/25URQvXh9aL8zS22Ib2jHJ/bb03f34cd6d929be8abfa700bc857895/2__.png?fm=webp&w=1900&q=80)
Darren along with the TELUS wireless real estate team participated in the T’exelc (Williams Lake First Nation) event and other cultural showcases in the region.
While he is Carrier Dene from Nadleh Whut’en - participating in these events was quite meaningful to him as he was able to be in community and celebrate amongst different nations. Darren also shared that throughout the events he was able to teach other team members about the significance of the day’s activities, such as the rules of the game for the Lahal tournament.
Musqueam NIPD celebration - Anne Zhong - Manager, Indigenous Connectivity and Relationships
Anne is proud to regularly participate in Indigenous-led community events while representing TELUS. Alongside the Customer Service Delivery (CSD) and TELUS Business Solutions (TBS) teams, she joined the Musqueam in their celebration of NIPD.
TELUS team members, including Anne, could be found throughout the event volunteering at the cotton candy, snow cone and popcorn stands. Musqueam recognized the TELUS differentiator and Administration acknowledged TELUS’ ongoing support and consistent community involvement.
Anne wanted to use this opportunity to recognize the remarkable outcomes being driven at Indigenous events thanks to the amazing partnership between the Indigenous Reconciliation and CSD teams. The tremendous support CSD provided during the NIPD event was instrumental to its success.