Indigenous perspectives at the 2018 ABLE Financial Empowerment Conference

2 March 2018

Reconciliation must create a more equitable and inclusive society by closing the gaps in social, health, and economic outcomes that exist between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians.

– 5th Principle of Reconciliation, Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

Indigenous Peoples have the right to determine and develop priorities and strategies for exercising their right to development. In particular, Indigenous Peoples have the right to be actively involved in developing and determining health, housing and other economic and social programmes affecting them and, as far as possible, to administer such programmes through their own institutions.

– Article 23 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Because of colonialism and assimilation policies Indigenous Peoples in Canada have been disconnected from the land, their history, their identity and their rights so that others can benefit. As a result, today, there is a significant gap between the well-being of Indigenous Peoples and that of Canadians generally. In order to build a more equitable and inclusive society First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities need to be at the table and have the resources and capacity to offer community-based and culturally grounded solutions to their people.

Towards the goal of reducing poverty in Canada and in the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, the ABLE Steering Committee has made a commitment to incorporate Indigenous perspectives and participation throughout the upcoming 2018 ABLE Financial Empowerment Conference in Richmond, British Columbia. For those of you already registered, here are a few sessions you can look forward to:

Resources for working with Indigenous Peoples (May 7): In this pre-day workshop, learn about tailored models, tools and training that can support you to deliver financial wellness programs with Indigenous communities for all life stages. Speaker: Nene Kraneveldt, Owner, Imagination FX.
Financial well-being for Canada’s northern, rural and remote communities (May 8): We know that financial empowerment services are literally few and far between in Canada’s northern, rural, and remote communities. In this breakout session, learn how organizations have mobilized creative solutions and utilized partnerships to bring financial education resources to communities that are among the hardest to reach. Moderator: Jérémie Ryan, Director, Financial Literacy and Stakeholder Engagement, Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. Speakers: John Cockburn, Financial Empowerment Coordinator, Sudbury Community Service Centre; Jessica Gilray, Community Outreach Program Coordinator, Yukon Literacy Coalition.
Indigenous Financial Wellness: A holistic framework (May 8): Learn about the financial wellness framework and how communities and organizations are supporting Indigenous Peoples to make healthy financial decisions that build wellness for themselves, their families and their communities. Moderator: Simon Brascoupé, Vice President, Education and Training, AFOA Canada. Speakers: Eddie Buli, Business and Education Development Officer, Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network Ltd; Rachelle Venne, CEO, Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women; Jocelyn Bebamikawe, Employment and Training Officer, Wii-ni n'guch-tood Employment & Training, Wikwemikong Unceded Territory.

View the conference agenda to learn more about the financial topics and speakers being featured at this year's conference.

If you are a policymaker, practitioner, researcher, or someone interested in the field of financial empowerment, we hope to see you there. Please note that the conference is almost sold out. To learn more and to register visit ablefinancialempowerment.org.