Aug 09, 2023 | Inside Thomson Reuters

Overview of the Indigenous Peoples Network

The Indigenous Peoples Network is an employee-led business resource group open to all colleagues across Thomson Reuters. Our mission is to help foster a diverse and inclusive work culture with a focus on expanding cultural awareness, education, and outreach for Indigenous peoples across the global communities in which we live and work. In addition, we are committed to increasing opportunities for professional development for Indigenous peoples and sharing our experiences, with the support of our allies.

Indigenous Peoples Network activities and events across Thomson Reuters

The hybrid environment of work today with in-person and virtual events gives chapters an exciting opportunity to collaborate across global locations and extend the reach of their efforts. Throughout the past year, events through the network have included book clubs, expert-led presentations, cultural explorations, resource sharing, and so much more.

National Reconciliation Week (Australia)

This covers three specific events; National Day of Healing – Sorry Day, National Reconciliation Week, and Mabo Day.

• Sorry Day acknowledges the intergenerational trauma caused by the Australian Government’s policy of removing First Nations children from their families known as the “Stolen Generation”.
• National Reconciliation Week provides a focus on Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, and achievements.
• Mabo Day commemorates the Australian High Court’s “Mabo decision” that led to legal recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of lands.

Each date was supported with communications to all Australian and New Zealand employees providing background on the dates and links to external additional resources as part of the objective to raise awareness of First Nation’s historical and current challenges.

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (North America)

In celebration of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we had a full day of events including an interview with Ellen Marie Jensen, Ph.D. on Indigenous women and their role in the preservation of traditional knowledge.

We also hosted a presentation by Councilwoman Kelly Dennis, JD on protecting tribal homelands and specifically what members of the Shinnecock Nation are doing to preserve their way of life and ancestral burial grounds.

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori/Māori Language Week 2022 (New Zealand)

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori (Māori for Māori Language Week) is celebrated annually to increase awareness and use of the indigenous language. Māori is one of the three official languages of New Zealand, along with English and New Zealand Sign Language.

Daily emails went to all Australian and New Zealand staff providing a Whakataukī o te rā (Proverb of the day), a pronunciation guide, a commonly used phrases card, instructions on how to add tohutō (Māori macrons) to your computer, and links to a Waiata o te rā (Song of the day), Māori books, 100 Māori words every New Zealander should know, Māori podcasts and Facebook groups, and much more. On 14 Mahuru (September), 45 colleagues joined a live stream of the Māori Language Moment from the Te Petihana Reo Māori 50th Anniversary Event at new Zealand’s Parliament.

Indigenous Peoples Network recognizes National Truth and Reconciliation Day

September 30th marked the second official National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to recognize and reflect on the legacy of residential schools in Canada.

In 2022, we had the pleasure to have with us Darian B. from Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP to host a virtual and in-person event in our Toronto office. Darian is an Associate and Class Council for the First Nations Drinking Water Settlement.

Employees also showed their support by wearing the official orange t-shirt “Every Child Matters” on September 30th.

The Orange Shirt Day is a call to action that opens the door to global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools. Access Orange Shirt Day Society and buy the official orange t-shirt from one of the retailers to support the Orange Shirt Day Society and Indigenous Communities.

Acknowledgement of Country (Australia)

To reinforce Thomson Reuters Australia’s commitment to First Nations peoples, we have introduced the “Acknowledgement of Country” cultural protocol at the beginning of all relevant internal and external meetings. Incorporating an “Acknowledgement of Country” is seen as one part of repairing the damage caused by the historical exclusion from settler society and a visible symbol of reconciliation. All formal internal and external meetings where 100% of participants are located within Australia will be preceded by the following statement:

“In the spirit of reconciliation, Thomson Reuters acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather today, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples here today.”

United States Indigenous Peoples’ Day

U.S. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October to honor the cultures and histories of the Native American people. The day is centered around reflecting on their tribal roots and the tragic stories that hurt but strengthened their communities.

To celebrate the date, Indigenous Peoples Network held a book discussion of Calling for a Blanket Dance by Oscar Hokeah on October 25^th. “At the heart of “Calling for a Blanket Dance” is a profound reflection on the intergenerational nature of cultural trauma.”

Book Club Reading List

The Indigenous Peoples Network host a quarterly book club, which recently had the author Ramona Emerson come and discuss the book, “Shutter.” To celebrate International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on August 9, there will be a summer book club meeting to discuss Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

Who can join?

All current Thomson Reuters employees are welcome to join the Indigenous Peoples Network, including those that identify as Indigenous People and allies from across the organization. Colleagues are welcome to participate in any capacity, whether they want to be added to our email list to stay up to date on Indigenous Peoples Network happenings or join a committee to help bring an upcoming event to life.

To learn more about our business resource groups at Thomson Reuters, check out our Inside Thomson Reuters page!