Vancity commits to meaningful Reconciliation

Joint announcement made with Global Alliance for Banking on Values partners

March 11, 2016, Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, B.C. — Vancity today committed to the Call to Action issued for businesses in the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC).

Vancity made the commitment at a National Reconciliation gathering in Winnipeg, Manitoba in a joint declaration with its Canadian partners in the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, Saskatchewan’s Affinity Credit Union and Manitoba’s Assiniboine Credit Union.

In its report, the TRC issued 94 calls to action. It specifically called on the business community to adopt the principles, norms and standards of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a reconciliation framework, such as to:

• Commit to meaningful consultation, building respectful relationships, and obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous peoples before proceeding with economic development projects.
• Ensure that Aboriginal peoples have equitable access to jobs, training, and education opportunities in the corporate sector, and that Aboriginal communities gain long-term sustainable benefits from economic development projects.
• Provide education for management and staff on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal—Crown relations. This will require skills based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.

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“Today’s joint declaration is a vital step in a journey toward healing and progress in forging stronger relationships among Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. With our Global Alliance for Banking on Values partners, we are embracing the TRC’s reconciliation framework and encouraging all values-based and cooperative businesses to join us in responding to their Call to Action.”Jan O’Brien, chair of Vancity's board of directors

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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.