FCAC announces Indigenous Financial Literacy Working Group

From: Financial Consumer Agency of Canada

News release

May 8, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario 

Canada’s Financial Literacy Leader Jane Rooney and the National Steering Committee for Financial Literacy today announced a new working group to assist in responding to the financial literacy needs of Indigenous Peoples, including First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation. The working group will be co-chaired by Jane Rooney and Simon Brascoupé of AFOA Canada (formerly the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Canada) and will report to the national steering committee.

Research conducted by AFOA Canada regarding Indigenous Peoples living on reserve and the results of the Canadian Financial Capability Survey (CFCS), which includes individuals who self-identify as Indigenous Peoples living off-reserve, indicates that Indigenous Peoples face unique barriers to achieving financial well-being. These barriers need to be addressed in the design, delivery and measurement of financial literacy interventions.

The working group will share information, collaborate on developing new programs and initiatives, and identify research priorities. It will also undertake financial literacy initiatives that are community driven, created for and with Indigenous Peoples. 

Members of the Indigenous Financial Literacy Working Group are: 

  • Simon Brascoupé, VP, Education and Training, AFOA Canada 
  • Marcie Chase, Director of Finance, National Association of Friendship Centres 
  • Gilbert Dion, Manager, Business Development Services, SEED Winnipeg
  • Lynne Groulx, Executive Director, Native Women's Association of Canada
  • Darren Hill, President & CEO, Junior Achievement Saskatchewan
  • Dr. Carlana Lindeman, Education Program Director, Martin Family Initiative
  • Natasha McKenna, Program Officer, Prosper Canada 
  • Mack Rogers, Executive Director, ABC Life Literacy
  • Talya Rotem, Program Director, SmartSAVER
  • Kelly Stone, President & CEO, Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs (FRP Canada)
  • Doretta Thompson, Director, Corporate Citizenship, CPA Canada
  • Brent Tookenay, CEO, Seven Generations Education Institute
  • Dr. Paulette Tremblay, CEO, Assembly of First Nations
  • Suzanne Trottier, Director, Capacity Development & Intervention, First Nations Financial Management Board
  • Claudia Gongora Boles, Director of Finance, National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association

Quotes

“It is important for all Canadians to have the knowledge, skills and confidence to navigate a rapidly changing financial marketplace. I anticipate tremendous cooperation and partnership as this working group lays a foundation for improving the financial well-being of Indigenous Peoples.”

Lucie Tedesco, 
Commissioner, Financial Consumer Agency of Canada

“I am pleased to begin collaborating with the working group and learning from members’ experience and insights. I look forward to working with members of the working group to develop and deliver initiatives to enhance the financial well-being of Indigenous Peoples across Canada.” 

Jane Rooney, 
Financial Literacy Leader, Financial Consumer Agency of Canada

Quick facts

  • The working group on Indigenous Peoples’ financial literacy includes representation from First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation.

  • Working group priorities include: 

    1. information-sharing
    2. collaborating on developing and piloting programs and initiatives
    3. identifying research priorities
       

  • Members will serve for two years. 

  • The working group will meet three times per year.

  • The working group reports to the National Steering Committee on Financial Literacy which is helping FCAC to implement the National Strategy for Financial Literacy — Count me in, Canada.

Associated links

Contacts

Media Relations 
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada
613-941-4168
media@fcac-acfc.gc.ca

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