Telstra is recognising the Traditional Owners of the land with signs of acknowledgement in 350 stores and 90 business centres.
The first of these ‘acknowledgement signs’ was formally unveiled at the newly opened Edward Street Telstra Store in Brisbane yesterday.
Telstra’s Chief Customer Officer, Gordon Ballantyne, said the telco has a long and proud commitment to Indigenous Australians, and acknowledging the Traditional Owners of where stores are located is an important part of supporting reconciliation.
The acknowledgement signs will be placed on the door of each of Telstra’s 350 stores and 90 business centres across Australia and will display Telstra’s Acknowledgement Statement.
The artwork on the display was created by Riki Salam, from Indigenous design agency Gilimbaa, originally created for Telstra’s first Reconciliation Action Plan in 2010.
“We’re proud to introduce this official acknowledgement into our stores as a small but genuine sign of our commitment to recognition and reconciliation,” Ballantyne said.
“Telstra’s wide-reaching national presence means we are well placed to provide opportunities for Indigenous Australians and we firmly believe that by promoting diversity and inclusion, we enhance the communities we live and work in.”
Telstra’s Reconciliation Action Plan is also looking at providing access to communications, employment opportunities and support for education for Indigenous Australians.
“By Telstra using their Reconciliation Action Plan artwork as an Acknowledgment of Country it brings a greater presence and understanding of Indigenous culture to our everyday lives, which is where it belongs,” Salam said.
