Recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 2021 – To ensure the tragic history of residential schools is never forgotten, the Government of Canada declared September 30 the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. At Cenovus Energy, we support reconciliation efforts with Indigenous peoples. Many of our closest neighbouring communities, particularly in our oil sands operating areas, are Indigenous (First Nations and Métis), and we work closely with them and strive to meaningfully include them in our business. Part of this responsibility also means understanding the history and culture of Indigenous peoples.

“The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an opportunity to consider what each of us can do as individuals to advance reconciliation,” says Andrea Louise-Martyn, Advisor, Cenovus Indigenous Relations. “My maternal grandparents were both from the Kelly Lake Métis Settlement and my grandma attended residential school. September 30 is an important day for me to acknowledge Canada’s troubling history with Indigenous people, but also to honour the strength and resiliency that my ancestors had.”

Earlier this year, Cenovus provided staff with orange shirts to help them show support for our Indigenous friends, colleagues and neighbours. The shirt was designed by Shayne Hommy, a grade 11 student in Dawson Creek, and part of the proceeds went to the Orange Shirt Society.