Co-developed with the First Nations Child
& Family Caring Society, RBC's Financial Literacy for
Indigenous Peoples Course aims to affirm RBC's commitment to
Reconciliation by providing resources for Indigenous peoples to
support their financial well-being
TORONTO, Oct. 28, 2021 /CNW/ - Royal Bank of
Canada ("RBC") today announced the
launch of the Financial Literacy for Indigenous Peoples
Course, aimed at providing Indigenous peoples with access to
resources and information on managing personal finances. Created in
partnership with the First Nations Child & Family Caring
Society, the program provides practical advice and guidance on
managing money with confidence, and planning for the future. The
course was created in response to a recommendation by First Nations
youth who gathered in 2019 to discuss the need for changes to child
welfare and provide thoughts on the compensation for First Nations
children, youth and their families that was ordered by the Canadian
Human Rights Tribunal earlier that year. Access to financial
literacy information is also a recommendation made by residential
school survivors in past reports.
"Providing thoughtful financial literacy resources and support
is an important part of how RBC works with Indigenous communities
across Canada," said Dale Sturges, National Director, RBC Indigenous
Financial Services. "We know from the research and recommendations
of Indigenous peoples that receiving a lump sum in compensation can
be a stressful and even re-traumatizing experience. By providing
straightforward, accessible information, as was recommended, our
hope is that this financial literacy program will be a useful tool
for people. The course is broadly designed and intended to be a
resource for all Indigenous peoples to support knowledge and
awareness, and to help them achieve their financial goals."
The Financial Literacy for Indigenous Peoples Course is
an interactive, non-credit, modular learning experience covering
key topics like basics about money & banking, budgeting,
managing debt and credit, and saving and investing. Each module is
easily accessible in written PDF form and also includes online
multimedia material, such as short introduction videos featuring
RBC's Indigenous Employee Resource Group, the Royal Eagles. The
entire course may be viewed in approximately two hours, and can be
completed at one's own pace.
"When former youth in care said they wanted to learn more about
financial literacy, Royal Bank of Canada generously worked with the Caring
Society and Youth in Care Canada to create these practical and
informative resources," said Cindy
Blackstock, Executive Director, First Nations Child &
Family Caring Society. "While tailored for young people in care or
formerly in care, these resources are helpful to us all."
Since 2008, RBC has been documenting the ways in which its
reconciliation actions are brought to life through its annual
publication, A Chosen Journey. Featuring stories of
Indigenous excellence, resilience and achievement, each report
highlights examples of partnership between RBC and Indigenous-led
efforts to build sustainable communities; drive economic growth;
and lead powerful change in important areas like skills and career
development.
To learn more about RBC's reconciliation actions, or to access
RBC's Financial Literacy for Indigenous Peoples course, please
visit rbc.com/indigenous.
About RBC
Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with
a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading
performance. Our success comes from the 88,000+ employees who
leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision,
values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and
communities prosper. As Canada's
biggest bank, and one of the largest in the world based on market
capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus
on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our 17
million clients in Canada, the
U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.
We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives
through donations, community investments and employee volunteer
activities. See how at rbc.com/community-social-impact.
SOURCE RBC Royal Bank