June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day and is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the history, heritage and diversity of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.
Trans Mountain acknowledges and respects the Indigenous Peoples on whose Traditional Territory we operate and construct our expanded pipeline system. We recognize the unique histories, cultures and traditions of all those Indigenous groups within whose Territory Trans Mountain operates and that their relationship to the land continues to this day.
Trans Mountain’s commitment to Indigenous Reconciliation has transformed many communities. We respect Indigenous rights, knowledge and beliefs, and nurture positive relationships with Indigenous communities and partners.
Our work on the Trans Mountain Expansion Project has become a pathway for Indigenous Reconciliation. Through this work we have enhanced our existing relationships with Indigenous communities along the pipeline right-of-way and developed new relationships along the marine transportation corridor. To date, we’ve awarded more than 4,700 contracts to Indigenous groups totaling over $3.2 billion in value and provided employment for more than 2,500 Indigenous workers—11 per cent of total hires on the Project.
In 2022, we are taking the steps to formalize our commitment to Indigenous Reconciliation. The following objectives are guiding our approach:
- Develop and implement a plan to maximize the retention of Indigenous workers and aid in advancing their careers.
- Launch a formal Land Acknowledgement Policy to recognize the unique relationship between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories.
- Provide mandatory cultural awareness training to all employees and internal contractors.
- Support the transition of Expansion Project employment, training and Indigenous supply chain management practices to operations.
- Develop an external Advisory Council with Indigenous leaders and internal Task Force that provides advice to our leadership team and helps guide our Reconciliation efforts.
- Explore new partnerships and investments with Indigenous businesses.
- Develop the Framework for a Reconciliation Action Plan to be published in 2023 which answers one of the 94 calls to action aimed at the business community issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015.
We are committed to building long-term capacity and opportunity with Indigenous communities while furthering the close relationships we have developed over time. To accomplish this, we respect Indigenous knowledge and beliefs, honour all our commitments to Indigenous groups and recognize that nurturing positive relationships is fundamental to our success.
