Vancity grants half a million dollars to Reconciliation Canada

Reconciliation Canada and Vancity Credit Union announced today a partnership that will focus on engaging British Columbians in the reconciliation process.

The reconciliation process will empower Canadians from every level of society to create a new way forward in the relationships between Aboriginal people and  all  Canadians in order to build resilience. Reconciliation Canada was formed to educate the public about the legacy of Canada’s Indian Residential School system, connect communities in British Columbia and promote reconciliation through community-based outreach programs and events.

“We’re very encouraged and inspired by Vancity’s investment in the reconciliation process. Their commitment goes a long way toward promoting reconciliation through engagement and dialogue and revitalizing the relationships between Aboriginal peoples and all Canadians,” said Chief Dr. Robert Joseph, Ambassador for Reconciliation Canada. “This financial support is a huge boost to our work, the reconciliation process and the issues around residential school legacy that continue to permeate our society to this day.”

“Vancity is honoured to support Reconciliation Canada in their quest to catalyze a new way forward,” said Linda Morris, Senior Vice President Business Development, Member and Community Engagement, Vancity. “A core element of our vision is to promote social justice and build resilient, sustainable communities.  Collaborating with Aboriginal communities to help them thrive and prosper is central to this commitment—we believe the process being undertaken by Reconciliation Canada will help create a better, stronger Canada for all. ”

Vancity is also working in partnership with Reconciliation Canada to convene a Partners Table on December 5, 2012, to encourage other organizations, leaders and government to come together to provide the funding and the resources required to help increase public awareness and support the work that is vital for the ongoing reconciliation process.  
On September 19-21, 2013, Vancouver will be the host city for Canada’s National Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) event. The nine months leading up to this event is an opportunity to engage all Canadians in the reconciliation process, and Reconciliation Canada will be doing this through public education, community engagement and a series of events, including a Canoe Gathering (Sept 17, 2013), a Walk for Reconciliation in downtown Vancouver followed by a Closing Ceremony at BC Place (Sept 22, 2013).  

The work of Reconciliation Canada is supported by

• BC Assembly of First Nations
• First Nations Summit
• The Union of BC Indian Chiefs
• Metro Vancouver Urban Aboriginal Executive Council
• Anglican Church of Canada
• Presbyterian Church in Canada
• United Church of Canada
• Roman Catholic Church Diocese

About Reconciliation Canada: Reconciliation Canada is a collaboration between the Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) and Tides Canada Initiative (TCI).  Reconciliation Canada is a not-for-profit project to educate the public about the legacy of Indian Residential Schools, connect communities and promote reconciliation through events and activities. The reconciliation process aims to empower a groundswell of Canadians from every level of society who are willing to create a new way forward that embraces the diversity of our citizenry and honors each culture’s unique contributions. The vision of Reconciliation Canada is to engage Canadians in dialogue that revitalizes the relationships between Aboriginal peoples and all Canadians and brings together resilient communities in order to catalyze a better, stronger Canada for all.

About Vancity

Vancity is a values-based financial co-operative serving the needs of its 570,000 member-owners and their communities, with offices and more than 50 branches located in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Victoria, Squamish and Alert Bay, within the territories of the Coast Salish and Kwakwaka'wakw people. With $35.5 billion in assets plus assets under administration, Vancity is Canada's largest credit union. Vancity uses its assets to help improve the financial well-being of its members while at the same time helping to develop healthy communities that are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable.