Indigenous financial workshops

Wealth Mindset: Indigenous Financial Resilience.

Host workshops and give members of your community the tools to make financial confident decisions through an Indigenous lens.

Sign-up for workshops

Indigenous taught and led approach.

Invite our indigenous colleagues to host workshops that celebrate Indigenous resilience and prioritize the cultural safety of Indigenous people.

Build skills and confidence

Learn how to build your wealth with basic budgeting and managing your money.

Learn through stories and real examples

Hear from Elders about their financial journeys and how they’ve helped their communities.

For individuals, communities, teachers

Host an Indigenous financial education workshop for anyone in your community.

About the Wealth Mindset program.

Created alongside Called to Action Collaborative, Elders, and our Indigenous colleagues, the courses aim to remove barriers for Indigenous people to build wealth, and pass learnings down to future generations.

The logo inspired Tom Spetter, Lead Designer of Animikii Indigenous Technology, talks about his vision behind the design.

“Eagle Feathers represent peace, prosperity, and happiness. I fanned out an array of seven feathers to represent the concept of decisions made today impacting Seven Generations into the future.”

Our workshops & topics.

We offer free, virtual and in-person workshops for flexible group sizes. Choose one workshop, or the entire series.

Circle Module.

Duration 2-3 hours depending on group sizes.

What is covered:

  • What is Indigenous financial literacy
  • Your values and relationship with money
  • First peoples’ concepts of wealth and economy
  • Colonization and multigenerational impacts
  • Economic resurgence and innovation
  • Money as life energy
Connect about this workshop

Banking basics.

Duration 1 hour

What is covered:

  • How to choose the right financial institution and account for your needs
  • Way to reduce your account fees
  • How to make interest work for you, not against you
  • Basic skills, such as opening a bank account and writing a cheque
Connect about this workshop

Basic budgeting.

Duration 1 hour

What is covered:

  • What is a budget and the benefits of creating one
  • Understanding the difference between a ‘want’ and a ‘need’
  • Expenses tracking
  • Making financial goals
  • How to develop a budget
Connect about this workshop

Meet your facilitators.

Our workshops are led by Indigenous staff at Vancity who are changing the conversation on financial education, and each brings a personalized perspective on why the program is important to them.

Brittany Pruden

Métis Cree

I’m a proud Métis woman reclaiming my heritage. I was disconnected from my ancestors and culture, and I’ve made it my journey and life purpose to reconnect to my heritage and traditional teachings. My mother is Métis Cree from St. Laurent, Manitoba.

Christopher Williams

Squamish Nation

Kwesamcane is the name gifted to me by my family, and one that I carry proudly. I was raised on the Squamish Nation reserve of X̱wemelch'stn, the Capilano Reserve in West Vancouver. My father is the Squamish Nation Hereditary Chief, Bill Williams, and my mother is Bertha Joseph.

I’m passionate about teaching people about my heritage and how it fits into today’s culture.

Frank Smith

ʼNa̱mǥis First Nation

“Gilakas’la nugwam Kixtlala’nakwala”

That was “hello” and an introduction in my traditional Chief’s name from the Kwikwasutinuxw. It’s Frank Smith in your world.

I do my best to help our children learn the values of our traditions and keep our culture going. As a front-line worker, I love working with people, and I view everyday as an opportunity to learn new things.

Jen Turner

Pimicikamak Cree Nation

I am a Swampy Cree registered with Pimicikamak Cree Nation, and raised in Cormorant, Manitoba. My traditional name is White Thunder Rock Woman. I am a proud Kookum to two grandsons.

I recognize the role institutions played in colonization of Indigenous people. My goal is to empower Indigenous people to build on their financial skills and develop a positive relationship with money based on their values.

Karen Gray

Cree

I recently discovered I have Cree ancestry from Manitoba. I’m passionate about learning my Indigenous roots and helping Indigenous entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses with Vancity’s array of products and services.

Madison Mussell

Skwah First Nation

I come from the Skwah First Nation in Chilliwack on my father’s side and I’m of Dutch heritage on my mother’s side.

I recognize how financial institutions played a role in the colonization of Indigenous people. Many folks remain intimidated by it, particularly those who lack financial literacy.

Building skills with our communities sets a solid foundation for our success. I’m a proud dog-mom of two pups, Bill and Ted.

Rose Archie

Tsq’escemc

I’m from Tsq’escemc in Canim Lake, BC which is also known as “The People of Broken Rock”.

I’m passionate about building wealth through an Indigenous lens and am excited to talk about it. I want to help support Indigenous organizations and businesses, as they help build healthy Indigenous communities. I also want to be able to recognize the value of Indigenous knowledge keepers, as they are priceless.

Whitley Point

Sto:lo Nation

My goal is to inspire people to become the best versions of themselves. My passion for fitness and wellness led me to facilitate groups for over five years.

As an active member of the Indigenous Employee Resource Group, I strive to create a supportive and diverse workplace.

My goal to teach financial literacy to my home community of the Sto:lo Nation, and be an example for future Indigenous leaders!

Elders.

Larry Railton

Metis

I’m of Metis of Cree and Welch heritage. My work focuses on inclusion and acceptance of who we are as a people, while supporting individual successes along the way. Understanding wealth in a conceptual way can helps guide personal successes.

Veronica Folkers

Haida

My traditional Haida name is Koonjaad. I'm from the Haida Gwaii Nation, and I currently and gratefully reside on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples. I'm glad to provide elder support as requested. 

Sign me up.

Host a workshop

Email us at indigenous_partnerships@vancity.com​ to connect with our Indigenous Partnerships team.

Email us

Join a workshop

If there’s a group that has opened their workshop to the public, you can find it in our calendar.

See events calendar

Our collaborators.