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Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1159085
C R E AT E D BY BCBusiness I N PA RT N E RS H I P W IT H ROGERS now have access to world-class LTE service, the fastest generation of wireless service in Canada. That means they can do things like use maps to navigate the Lakeshore Wine Route or share pho- tos from Jim Lind Arena. "Our local team is working hard to identify ways to best support First Nations communities in British Columbia," Sellers says. "We know that helping connect communities so they have access to all socio-economic services like health care, education and tourism which benefits the entire province." Senior Vice-President at Rogers and Chair of Rogers Inclusion and Diversity Council, Nyla Ahmad believes empowering Indigenous peoples through wireless connectivity is helping preserve and enrich First Nations' culture. "The most fundamental benefit we've seen through the Indigenous communities we've worked with are families remaining in their home communi- ties or moving back," says Ahmad, "connectivity has eliminated the need of having to leave, which is a much better starting point for economic growth and empowering their culture to thrive. We're equally passionate about our technical network connections as we are about the human connec- tions that these enable." Rogers collaboration with First Nations in Canada reflects efforts towards reconciliation that exist within the organization itself. The company continues to educate its employees about the role Indigenous people have played and continue to hold in the fabric of the entire country. The Legacy Space in Rogers head office in Toronto was created in partnership with the Downie Wenjack Fund, an initiative born from the Tragically Hip lead singers commitment to reconciliation. This unique conference room serves to generate awareness and understanding of Indigenous art, history and culture with corporate teams and com- munity members. More than 20 creatives, including Indigenous muralist and storyteller Philip Cote, contributed art, historical artifacts, images and other works to the serene room. Rogers is one of 20 companies in Canada to open a Legacy Space. "We're going through a reconciliation process, and we want to participate in it as best we can and reach a new level of understanding within our own company," Ahmad says. "Real change comes from the things we do every single day and the message we are sending to our employees is diversity is important, it brings fresh, innovative, diverse, trans- formative thinking to our business." n P R O M O T E D C O N T E N T The Witset service an- nouncement was attended by Rogers B.C. president Rick Sellers (back row, third from left) with Stikine MLA Doug Donaldson (5th from left), Witset First Nation Chief Victor Jim, Citizens' Services Minister Jinny Sims and Northern Development Initiative Trust CEO Joel McKay PHOTOGRAPH: Chris Gareau / Smithers Interior News