TPG Telecom is affirming its commitment to creating equity and opportunities for First Nations people through its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
The TPG Telecom Reflect RAP, developed through Reconciliation Australia’s framework, will act as a strategic plan for the first part of the company’s reconciliation journey.
TPG Telecom CEO Iñaki Berroeta says all companies have a role to play in helping to drive equitable outcomes for First Nations people.
“Our purpose is to build meaningful relationships and support vibrant, connected communities. RAP is a significant step for our company as we build connections with First Nations communities,” Berroeta says.
“We look forward to partnering with, and learning from, our First Nations communities the meaning of respect and inclusivity into the way we work, and ultimately make a meaningful difference for our customers, employees, and our wider society.”
The TPG Telecom RAP speaks to the contributions the company can make to the community through its technological capabilities and skills, Berroeta says.
“We will continue to support external programs to create pathways in STEM for First Nations peoples and students, in particular girls and young women, and support them to pursue a future career in technology,” he commits.
The TPG Telecom RAP features a bespoke artwork titled Listening to Land - Connecting to Country, designed by artist Riki Salam of We Are 27 Creative, to reflect the story and identity of TPG Telecom and signify its commitment to reconciliation.
According to TPG Telecom, the artwork is about listening to how the land and country are communicating to us and how we in turn respond. The Trumpet Shell or ‘Bu’ as it is referred to in the Torres Strait, is used to call people to meet, be it for ceremony, the hunting and gathering of food or even for warfare.
When blown, the Trumpet Shell produces a sound that can be heard across land and sea, both near and far.
The three lines emerging from the shell represent the values of reconciliation, respect, relationships, and opportunity. These lines merge into different aspects of the country from freshwater to saltwater, desert to rainforest, and everywhere in between this land connects us all.
The creation spirit known as the Rainbow Serpent is depicted throughout the artwork, drawing the understanding of law, culture, ceremony and creation of the landscape upon which our people and our communities all connect.
The young vine leaves with the goanna refers to growth and the next generation of youth pursuing their aspirations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The different treatments and motifs represent the diverse landscapes and vibrant communities across Australia that TPG Telecom is connected to. The sun, stars, and moon help navigate across the land, to respect and connect with the country and one another.
The artwork was unveiled at TPG Telecom’s NAIDOC week event and will hang in TPG Telecom’s head office in Sydney.
