Money management booklet shares teachings from the animal world to foster good money habits

TORONTO, July 23, 2018 – A new money management booklet was recently published to support organizations and communities serving Indigenous Peoples with money conversations. Developed jointly by AFOA Canada and Prosper Canada, Managing Your Money: Tools and tips to help you meet your goals features a number of interactive worksheets to help Indigenous individuals and families to set and work toward their money goals.

Each financial topic is paired with vibrant illustrations from the animal world that reflect the skills, strengths and experiences of each animal in managing resources.

“The land is our teacher. It teaches us about saving, sustainability and security,” said Simon Brascoupé, Vice President of Education and Training, AFOA Canada. “At creation, animals, birds and fish were asked what they could teach humans. The animal world said humans can learn from our values, character and behaviour. This was the premise of our approach to teaching individuals about managing money.”

Simon Brascoupé is an Anishinabeg/Haudenausanee Bear Clan Member of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation. The illustrations featured throughout the booklet were created by Brascoupé, who is also an accomplished artist.

“Building community capacity to deliver tailored financial information, education and one-on-one support is critical to promoting financial wellness in Indigenous communities,” said Elizabeth Mulholland, Chief Executive Officer at Prosper Canada. “Community staff and volunteers are best placed to provide culturally grounded, relevant and engaging financial information and this resource is a great way to support them to promote financial wellness in their communities.”

The booklet is designed to support staff and volunteers in community organizations to facilitate one-on-one money conversations, deliver financial education workshops, help community members with their monthly budgets, and to work with them to set and achieve money goals. Worksheets include:

• Setting savings goals
• Tracking income
• Spending and bills
• Monthly budgeting
• Tax filing

Examples are customized for Indigenous audiences to ensure they are relevant and provide real life examples. Individual worksheets can be downloaded for free at learninghub.prospercanada.org/toolkit.

On July 31, 2018, 1:00 to 2:30 pm (EST), community staff are invited to participate in an AFOA Canada and Prosper Canada webinar on how to use the Managing Your Money resource with individuals and families. The webinar will feature Simon Brascoupé and provide examples of how community organizations are using activities from the resource with individuals and offer tips on facilitating effective money conversations and workshops. Interested staff can register here.

The Managing Your Money booklet is an initiative of the First Nations Financial Wellness Project, conducted in collaboration with Prosper Canada and AFOA Canada and funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Government of Ontario. Learn more at www.prospercanada.org.

AFOA Canada
AFOA Canada was founded as a not-for-profit association in 1999. It aims to help Aboriginal people better manage and govern their communities and organizations with enhanced finance, management and leadership skills and practices.

Prosper Canada
Prosper Canada is a national charity dedicated to expanding economic opportunity for Canadians living in poverty through program and policy innovation. Prosper Canada works with partners in all sectors to develop and promote financial policies, programs, and resources that transform lives and help all Canadians to prosper.
 
Media contact:
Julie McFayden
Prosper Canada
416-665-2828 ext. 2231