Land Acknowledgement
Our organization was founded in 1945 in Regina, Saskatchewan, on Treaty 4 territory, the traditional land of the Cree, Saulteaux, Dakota, Lakota, Nakoda and the homeland of the Métis.
Today, our co-operative exists in communities from coast to coast to coast. We recognize that the many places where we live and work are home to past, present and future First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. The Co-operators Group Limited acknowledges that our corporate headquarters in Guelph, Ontario, sit on the Between the Lakes Treaty (No. 3) territory, the traditional land of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations and the ancestral homelands of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Attawandaron Peoples. We acknowledge that Indigenous Peoples are stewards of this land and that our work is carried out across the traditional territories of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. This grounds our journey toward a path of Truth and Reconciliation with our Indigenous neighbours, clients, members, employees and partners.
“I believe that our dedication to responsibility, integrity and inclusion — our organization’s guiding values — puts us in a unique perspective to demonstrate and collaborate as an ally with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.”
John Harvie, Chairperson, Board of Directors, The Co-operators Group Limited
“Together, we’re demonstrating that a commitment to reconciliation isn’t just a gesture. It’s a fundamental part of creating a brighter, more inclusive future for our company and the communities in which we live and work.”
Rob Wesseling, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Co-operators Group Limited
Our guiding principles
Lean into win-win opportunities that provide mutual gain
Commit to the unlearning and learning needed for reconciliation
Strengthen and build relationships with Indigenous neighbours, clients, members, employees and partners
Strive to be a friend to Indigenous Peoples
Protect and prioritize Mother Earth, and advance sustainability and community resilience
Our action pillars
Respect Indigenous ways as a business
Embrace Truth and Reconciliation as a financial services co-operative and investor
Collaborate, build bridges and foster friendships with Indigenous communities
Indigenous artist Mackenzie Brown talks about her art and her association with Co-operators. Her artwork below, which she created to symbolize the Co-operators reconciliation journey, represents community, reciprocity and coming together for a brighter future for the next 7 generations.
Our progress
It is still early in our journey toward reconciliation, but we’ve already made good progress with these actions:
- Engaging in employee education, including engagement with Elders and Indigenous professionals.
- Building our Indigenous Youth Employability initiative with a $1 million commitment to foster partnerships and programs that support Indigenous youth.
- Expanding our partnership with First Nations University by offering scholarships and providing mentoring and career management opportunities.
- Supporting an Indigenous Employee Resource Group (ERG) that offers a safe space for Indigenous employees and non-indigenous allies to collaborate and share experiences and ideas.
- Honouring and observing National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by dedicating the day to learning and giving back.
- Supporting a positive employee experience for Indigenous employees by creating a safe and inclusive workplace for all our employees.
- Being intentional about culture and ceremony by being thoughtful about the inclusion of Indigenous artwork and Land Acknowledgements across our corporate offices.
Former chief Gary Williams singing and drumming for Co-operators employees at the commemoration of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
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