Vancity's investment in Indigenous communities

As a financial co-operative, Vancity is focused on improving the financial well-being of its members and building healthy communities. By working in partnership with Indigenous not-for-profit and First Nation government organizations, Vancity is creating new and sustainable solutions that address the need for additional capital and improved access to financial services to support individuals, families, businesses and help strengthen communities.

At Vancity, the Indigenous market includes serving the financial needs of individuals of Indigenous ancestry, Indigenous entrepreneurs, Indigenous-owned businesses, Indigenous not-for-profits and First Nation or Metis government organizations. The credit union actively works to deepen and broaden the relationship with Indigenous communities to better understand and meet their needs.

Working with Indigenous communities

1. Access to financial services and financial literacy

Over one-third of the Indigenous population in B.C. resides within Vancity’s service area. A key part of Vancity's community investment strategy is to support initiatives that help people build assets that transform their lives and their communities.

• Financial Literacy ensures that financial services are accessible to – and mindful of – individuals who, traditionally, may not have access to bank accounts.
• Small business and start-up loans provide financial support for individuals interested in starting their own businesses who may not be able to secure conventional financing.
• Personal loan products for individuals who require tools, equipment, or certification to get back on the path towards self reliance.
• Investment services, through Vancity's Sustainable Wealth Management division, provide investment portfolio advice and solutions to organizations and individuals and also offers group RRSP plans for employee groups that focus on socially responsible investing.

2. Affordable housing and home ownership

Vancity works with Indigenous organizations and First Nations to help create and deliver on- and off-reserve housing solutions. On-reserve housing loans provide traditional mortgage-like financing options that allow members of First Nation communities to build, buy or renovate their own home and create family wealth through home ownership.

• personal Loans with extended amortization for renovations, upgrades, and/or additions of personal residences located on FN lands
• on-reserve housing loans under the Federal Government Ministerial Loan Guarantee program and the First Nations Market Housing Fund program
• community based Housing Loan programs reflecting the governance, policies, land codes and practices of the FN community

3. Building stronger communities through economic development

Vancity offers capacity support, technical assistance, and customized financing solutions to assist Indigenous organizations and First Nations to acquire or create community-owned assets, such as office buildings, housing complexes, or community-based social enterprises.

The following are examples of projects Vancity has supported through loans or grants to Indigenous communities throughout its service area by:

• becoming a founding partner with Reconciliation Canada along with a grant of $750,000 to build and revitalize relationships among Indigenous peoples and all Canadians and
• creating a $1.5-million Indigenous Impact Lending Program in partnership with Sto:lo Community Futures to support the development and expansion of individual and community owned businesses in Sto:lo territory
• opening a new branch on Cormorant Island in partnership with the ‘Namgis First Nation and the Village of Alert Bay to provide local community based financial services solutions and support the rebuilding of the local economy
• investing patient capital into the Kuterra closed containment aquaculture project, an economic development initiative led by the ‘Namgis First Nation, raising fish on land using environmentally responsible methods
• supporting IndigenousTourism B.C. in the launch of the Authentic Indigenous Arts initiative
• supporting Simon Fraser University’s Community Economic Reconciliation where Indigenous leaders from across the province collaborate on economic Reconciliation tools and outcomes for use in BC communities.
• supporting Indigenomics which is a dialogue and design platform to bring attention and focus to the growing Indigenous economy.
• creating a customized financing solution for the Songhees First Nation to build a $24 million Wellness Centre, providing much needed office, education and community space
• providing advice and guidance, and bridging a $2 million funding gap to enable construction of Skwachàys Lodge, encompassing shelter rate apartments, boutique arts themed hotel, and a fair trade gallery
• acting as early stage developer and providing a multi-million dollar construction loan, to Lu’ma Native Housing Society, creating affordable housing for Indigenous families and foster children, along with commercial space to help generate income.

Investing in Indigenous community projects

Since 2011, Vancity has provided $5.9 million in grants and more than $70 million in financing to projects that have positive community impact and contribute to the economic strength of the organizations and communities that we work in partnership with.

Last update: April 2020