Committed Level
ATB is currently at the Committed Level, Phase Three of the PAR program and is required to submit regular reports of our activities.
Community
ATB’s reconciliation journey
We are working towards honouring and fully implementing the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Call to Action #92.
Reconciliation and ATB
ATB recognizes the diverse backgrounds of Indigenous Peoples, as well as the unique political, legal, social and environmental systems associated with Indigenous Peoples in Alberta. There is a clear and compelling need for ATB to develop an Indigenous Financial Services Strategy—one based on an authentic foundation of compassion that is promoted through cultural recognition of Indigenous Peoples.
Our path towards reconciliation requires an essential shared understanding of truth throughout the organization. ATB will need to continue to learn about the destructive impacts of colonialism, and the resulting intergenerational impacts on Indigenous Peoples, in order to gain a deeper understanding.
In 2015, the Government of Canada published the findings and report from the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action after extensive consultation with survivors from the Indian Residential School (IRS) system. The 94 Calls to Action are intended to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of reconciliation in Canada.
ATB is committed to honouring TRC Call to Action #92. This Call to Action calls upons the corporate sector to adopt and apply the United Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as a reconciliation framework to core policies and operational activities involving Indigenous Peoples, and their lands and resources.
This Call to Action, includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Commit to meaningful consultation, building respectful relationships, and obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples before proceeding with economic development projects.
- Ensure that Indigenous Peoples have equitable access to jobs, training, and education opportunities in the corporate sector, and that Indigenous communities gain long-term sustainable benefits from economic development projects.
- Provide education for management and staff on the history of Indigenous Peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.
Where we are in our reconciliation journey
Indigenous Financial Services Strategy
After seeking the advice of Indigenous community leaders and business professionals, we began building this strategy in 2017. It is supported by our internal Indigenous Relations Advisory Circle and Indigenous Team Member Network.
Fort McKay
Our partnership with the Fort McKay Métis recently helped finance the purchase of land to build a community cultural centre.
Post Secondary Partnerships
We have partnered with Mount Royal University’s Iniskim Centre in Calgary and University of Alberta’s First People’s House to support Indigenous students with environments of empowerment.
Indigenous Marketplace
We launched the Indigenous Marketplace in 2020 to fill the gap of revenue loss for artists during Covid 19’s initial shutdown. We did it again in June of 2021 and raised $15,000 for the ANFCA.
National Indigenous Peoples Day
In celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day, ATB has partnered with Indigenous Services Canada, iHuman, and with CKUA Radio to feature Indigenous artists including nêhiyawak, Jay Gilday and the Logan Alexis Singers.
ATB Branch for Arts + Culture
Various Indigenous artists and organizations are featured in our gallery space including Making Treaty 7, IAM Collective and JCAT. We also host monthly events, including the Indigenous Women's Business Panel.
Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) Certification
As part of our commitment to becoming more inclusive, and advancing recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, we’re working towards Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) certification with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB).
PAR is the only recognized corporate Canadian program with an emphasis on Indigenous Relations. This framework, which is governed and maintained by the CCAB, is a tool to guide reconciliation strategy development. The organizations within the CCAB PAR program represent organizations that are committed to Indigenous prosperity and inclusion. The starting point for all companies is the PAR Committed Phase and it is a three phase process. After completing the Committed phases, organizations can work towards three levels (Bronze, Silver & Gold) of certification.
We anticipate that we will complete our reporting requirements to move from the Committed Phase and into the certified level of Bronze in 2023. One of the activities as part of ATB’s PAR journey was to develop an Indigenous Financial Services Strategy that is focused on four pillars including cultural recognition, talent development, corporate inclusion and business engagement.
Our four strategic pillars