CN announced the acceptance of the resignation of the Indigenous Advisory Council members, an independent body offering insights during CN’s ongoing Reconciliation journey. The company, recognizing the historical role of railways in colonial policies, is committed to building respectful relationships and understanding the past’s economic, cultural, and social impacts on Indigenous communities.
In its formal Acknowledgement, CN expresses gratitude for operating within or near over 220 reserve lands of nearly 130 First Nations and Métis Communities. As a pioneer in establishing an Indigenous advisory council in 2021, CN remains dedicated to reconciliation and engagement with representation from Canada’s First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.
Olivier Chouc, CN’s Sr. Vice-President responsible for Indigenous Relations, emphasizes the company’s commitment to understanding history and making thoughtful, measurable commitments. The IAC’s invaluable contributions are acknowledged as CN envisions a path forward.
To continue the IAC’s work, CN forms a team of nine managers with Indigenous and regional representation. This team focuses on building and renewing relationships with Indigenous communities and developing CN’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) alongside company leadership.
CN’s RAP, set to release in 2024, establishes a foundation on five key pillars: Cultural Awareness and Employee Engagement; People and Employment; Community Engagement and Relationships; Economic Reconciliation; and Environmental Stewardship and Safety. Specific, measurable initiatives will be included, and CN will commit to regular reporting on its performance against these goals.