News & Stories

Transcript - Rogers opens Downie-Wenjack Legacy Space in Calgary

[People walking in a hallway, they enter a boardroom filled with Indigenous art and artifacts]

[On screen text: Nicole McCormick, Chair, Rogers Indigenous Peoples’ Network]

So, today we’re opening our fifth Downie-Wenjack legacy space here in Treaty 7. 

We are honouring the Blackfoot confederacy, the Tsuut’ina nation, the Stoney Nakoda nation…and the Metis people who all call Treaty 7 home.

And the whole goal of the legacy space here is to honour them and help our Rogers employees understand exactly who these people are.

[People within the Downie-Wenjack Boardroom view and interact with the artwork, close-up of musical instruments mounted on the wall, close up of Gord Downie-Chanie Wenjack Fund Legacy Space sign on door]

[On screen text: Harriet Visitor, Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund Board Member]

So I think that Rogers gets it, in the sense that, they understand the importance of collaboration with Indigenous people.

[Close up shot of Downie-Wenjack signage on wall within boardroom, wide shots of photographs on wall]

[On screen text: Patrick Downie, Downie Family Member]

These spaces are a symbolic commitment to truth and reconciliation……and make Indigenous employees feel represented and help the non Indigenous learn the history of Indigenous peoples and what’s happening now.

[On screen text: Blackfoot Drummers, Siksika Nation]

[Four seated musicians drumming in a circle]

[Nicole McCormick]

Every Downie-Wenjack fund legacy space has a different feel to it. Every space honours the community of that particular land,

[Point of new camera shot entering boardroom]

[Close up shot of stainless steel buffalo artwork, footage of artist sitting in front of his artwork]

[On screen text: Andrew Holloway, Stoney Nakoda Nation Artist]

I did the one with the buffalo. The designs behind it is like represents like the atmosphere, the energy, the mountains, everything that makes it beautiful, that connects us. 

[On screen text: Kalum Teke Dan, Kainai Nation Artist]

They did the boardroom table with one of my designs. I have the Calgary Tower in there. Through my work I want to be able to basically give our people back their pride through art.

[Boardroom table top is artwork showing Calgary Tower building, buffalo and landscape]

[Nicole McCormick]

When Rogers gets behind and supports the creation of the Downie – Wenjack legacy spaces, that helps me feel seen. That helps the Indigenous people of the company feel seen.

[Seated fiddle player taps his feet in time with the music in front of a crowd next to Downie-Wenjack boardroom, people attending event interact]

[On screen text: Alex Kusturok, Metis Fiddler]

[Nicole McCormick]

So to work for a company that supports us, who sees us, who hears us, who brings us to the table every day, that’s everything to me.

[Rogers logo]