By Jamie Hyland | MiningIR
Teck Resources has released its North America Truth and Reconciliation Action Plan, outlining commitments to strengthen Indigenous relationships and bring community priorities into its business practices.
Announced on November 5, 2026, the initiative was developed through engagement with Indigenous governments, leaders, Elders, community members and employees across areas where Teck operates.
Teck president and CEO Jonathan Price says “strong relationships with Indigenous Peoples are central to how we operate.” He links those relationships to the company’s role in supplying critical minerals for development and the energy transition.
Price says Teck must build meaningful partnerships and address systems shaped by colonization, recognizing mining’s potential effects on Indigenous rights and livelihoods. Teck news release
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Jonathan Price, President and CEO, Teck
“As we work to provide critical minerals needed for global development and the energy transition, strong relationships with Indigenous Peoples are central to how we operate. At Teck, we know we have a responsibility to develop meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities on and near the territories where we operate and improve historic systems shaped by colonization. These are places where our mining activities can have real impacts on Indigenous rights and livelihoods. Our North America Truth and Reconciliation Action Plan sets out the actions we are taking to remove barriers, foster Indigenous inclusion, advance community priorities and work with our Indigenous partners to better integrate their priorities, knowledge and experiences into the way we work. It reflects our commitment to strengthening our business practices — by listening, learning and taking the time and care needed to build enduring relationships with Indigenous Peoples.”
The published plan organizes its work around four themes: ecosystem stewardship; economic empowerment and shared prosperity; relationships, partnerships and governance; and internal culture, safety and transformation.
Among its scheduled actions, Teck aims to establish an Indigenous Advisory Group by the fourth quarter of 2027. It also plans to embed Free, Prior and Informed Consent principles into project governance during 2026–2027, including engagement during design and development and consideration of Indigenous women’s perspectives.
Indigenous Employment Plans are scheduled for all Teck-controlled North American sites during 2026–2028. Other measures include a pilot coaching and mentorship program during 2027–2029 and stronger pathways into supervisory, technical and leadership positions.
Annual progress reports are planned by the second quarter of each year from 2028 onward, incorporating Indigenous-led evaluation and storytelling. The framework also calls for an annual Indigenous partner survey. Teck action plan
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Christine Walkem, Chief of Cook’s Ferry Indian Band and chair of the Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly, welcomes the direction while emphasizing that meeting community expectations remains unfinished work.
Christine Walkem, Chief of Cook’s Ferry Indian Band and Chair of Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly
“As nłeʔképmx, our responsibility to our people, our land, and future generations guides what we expect from reconciliation. Teck’s action plan is a step in the right direction, with the work of meeting our communities’ expectations still ahead. Its value will be demonstrated through decisions that respect our rights, give our people a meaningful role in shaping what happens in our territory, and honour the commitments made to us. Our responsibility is to hold that work to account. Our children and grandchildren deserve to inherit the lasting change these commitments must deliver.” Teck news release
For the mining sector, those tests put implementation at the centre of the story. Publishing a framework creates a reference point; its credibility will depend on whether communities can see their priorities reflected in decisions and assess progress against promised actions.
The plan acknowledges that mining, including Teck, has benefited from colonial policies that produced lasting inequalities. It positions respect for Indigenous rights, cultures and aspirations as a responsibility extending beyond minimum regulatory compliance. Teck action plan
For MiningIR readers, the central question now is how these commitments translate into practice. Employment initiatives, governance changes and public reporting offer specific areas to watch, while Walkem’s response underscores that the communities affected will bring their own expectations to that assessment.
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The announcement therefore marks the beginning of a measurable implementation period, with future public reporting providing opportunities to examine delivery, identify gaps and track whether promised changes endure over time across operations.
