Sonepar's Land Acknowledgements
Sonepar’s Indigenous Relations Mission Statement
At Sonepar, we are committed to fostering a trusted partnership with Indigenous communities across Canada. As firm supporters of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 92nd Call to Action, which calls upon Canadian businesses to commit to meaningful consultation with Indigenous Peoples, ensuring that Indigenous Peoples have equitable access to jobs, training, and education opportunities, while also providing management and staff with education about the history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, we recognize and support the importance of Indigenous participation in Corporate Canada.
Our mission compels us to continuously examine our organization at every level to determine how to best improve our Indigenous relations as we work towards the goal of reconciliation.
We Are Sonepar, Powered By Difference.
Land Acknowledgements
Sonepar’s Land Acknowledgement project was the second phase in our efforts towards strengthening our relationship with the Indigenous community. Our journey began with working with Indigenous artist, Patrick Hunter for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and grew into creating thought-provoking art pieces that not only acknowledges the land which our corporate facilities are built upon, but also presents our mission statement advising what Sonepar introduced to further support the Indigenous community.
We have partnered with the women-led, Indigenously-owned design team, Design De Plume to create a four-piece art collection to acknowledge the land that our head offices are built upon.
Below you’ll find our four-piece art collection featuring the cities Surrey, BC, Calgary, AB, Brampton, ON and Laval, QC.
Surrey, British Columbia
Sonepar would like to take this opportunity to recognize and acknowledge that the land upon which we are gathering today has been inhabited and stewarded by the Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo, and Tsawwassen Nations, since time immemorial. By acknowledging these Indigenous Nations, we also acknowledge the stories that these lands carry about their struggles for survival and identity, recognizing colonial histories and the harms perpetuated against Indigenous communities over the last two centuries. We invite you to reflect with us upon the importance of reconciliation and collaboration with the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities now living in Surrey.
Artwork Description:
An image of an orca fills the sky that overlooks the Surrey skyline against a backdrop of green mountains in this illustration. At the bottom of the piece, the ocean is filled with the spirits of salmon.
Calgary, Alberta
Sonepar would like to take this opportunity to recognize and acknowledge that the land upon which we are gathering today has been inhabited and stewarded by the Niitsitapi, the Stoney Nakoda, the Îyârhe Nakoda, the Tsuut'ina, the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Piikani, the Siksika, the Kainaiwa since time immemorial. These lands are governed, in part, by the Treaty 7 agreement. By acknowledging these Indigenous Nations, we also acknowledge the stories that these lands carry about their struggles for survival and identity, recognizing colonial histories and the harms perpetuated against Indigenous communities over the last two centuries. We invite you to reflect with us upon the importance of reconciliation and collaboration with the First Nations, Métis (including the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III), and Inuit communities now living in the city of Calgary.
Artwork Description:
Calgary Tower rises from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains in this illustration, while a plains buffalo, painted with images of tipis and traditions, fills the foreground of the scene. The sky above the mountains is filled with Métis floral designs.
Brampton, Ontario
Sonepar would like to take this opportunity to recognize and acknowledge that the land upon which we are gathering today has been inhabited and stewarded by the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Huron, the Wendat, and the Anishinaabe since time immemorial. These lands are governed, in part, by the “Dish with One Spoon” wampum agreement. By acknowledging these Indigenous Nations, we also acknowledge the stories that these lands carry about their struggles for survival and identity, recognizing colonial histories and the harms perpetuated against Indigenous communities over the last two centuries. We invite you to reflect with us upon the importance of reconciliation and collaboration with the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities now living in Brampton.
Artwork Description:
This location illustration depicts Brampton City Hall at the bottom of the piece, showcasing the iconic shape for which Brampton has become known. The Haudenosaunee Tree of Peace rises from behind City Hall, and overlooking the Tree of Peace is the Eagle, culturally known to protect the peace tree. The Wampum Belt flows through and wraps around the corners of the scene.
Laval, Quebec
Sonepar would like to take this opportunity to recognize and acknowledge that the land upon which we are gathering today has been inhabited and stewarded by the Peoples of the Abenaki and Wabanaki Confederacy, as well as the Wolastoqiyik since time immemorial. By acknowledging these Indigenous Nations, we also acknowledge the stories that these lands carry about their struggles for survival and identity, recognizing colonial histories and the harms perpetuated against Indigenous communities over the last two centuries. We invite you to reflect with us upon the importance of reconciliation and collaboration with the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities now living in Laval.
Artwork Description:
The Prairies River that separates Laval and Montreal runs through this illustration, with birchbark canoes floating past the landscape created by Tolba the Great Turtle, which has been based off of the Abenaki Creation Story. The sun rises from behind Tolba as this area is known as the “Land of Dawn” after the Creator filled the sky with light.
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Sonepar is committed to very high ethical, social, and environmental standards.
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We are represented by 6 locally managed electrical and industrial distributors, and have over 90 locations with coverage in 8 provinces.