-- artwork created by Darcy Roshau, Cedar and Pine Design (Ktunaxa Nation).
This Reconciliation Strategy represents both the culmination of years of dedicated work and an important step forward on our Reconciliation journey.
As a provider of critical energy services for nearly 1.3 million homes and businesses in British Columbia, we play an important role in meeting our customers’ energy needs while embedding Reconciliation throughout our actions and decisions. We recognize that delivering the energy customers rely on depends on the use of land, which drives our commitment to Reconciliation with the 58 First Nations communities we serve and the 150 Traditional Territories our infrastructure crosses.
Our Reconciliation journey
In 2001, FortisBC engaged with Indigenous leaders across British Columbia, seeking their guidance to develop actionable principles for meaningful engagement with First Nations communities and Indigenous Peoples. This collaboration led to the creation of our Statement of Indigenous Principles. Initially aspirational, these principles now form the foundation of our approach and have guided our Company and employees in building respectful, responsible, and reciprocal working relationships with Indigenous Peoples across our service areas.
Over the years, our commitment has deepened through both words and actions. In 2019, we began the Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) certification process with the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, achieving Silver certification in 2023 and Gold level standing in 2026. This Strategy builds on all the work we’ve undertaken since 2001.
Informed by Indigenous-Led frameworks and calls to action
We recognize and respect Indigenous perspectives on Reconciliation and are guided by key principles established by the PAIR certification process; the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC); the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (the UN Declaration); the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls 231 Calls for Justice; and Section 35 of the Constitution Act.
Reconciliation requires a system-wide approach that goes beyond checkboxes and metrics. Since embarking on this journey, we’ve expanded our Indigenous awareness and cultural programming, business development and procurement strategies, Indigenous talent recruitment and retention practices, and our community engagement and investment commitments, among many other initiatives.
Commitment to Reconciliation
We recognize the diversity of each First Nation we work with and serve, and that each relationship requires individualized attention. We will continue to develop and nurture these relationships as unique and valuable.
This Strategy marks the beginning of the next phase of our journey, providing direction and clarity for the road ahead. We remain committed to this work and to seeking ongoing feedback from Indigenous partners to ensure we continue the path forward.
We are proud to reaffirm our commitment—to this journey, to learning and evolving, to collaboration in energy delivery, and to advancing Reconciliation.
Our Territorial acknowledgement
FortisBC acknowledges and respects Indigenous Peoples on whose Traditional ancestral Territories we all live and work, and where FortisBC’s business and operations take place. It is through our relationships with Indigenous Peoples and FortisBC’s journey towards Reconciliation that we strive to be a good partner, energy provider and employer of Indigenous Peoples.
We extend our appreciation for the opportunity to live and learn on these territories.
