Vancity announces new Indigenous advisory committee

City of Vancouver Savings and Credit Union

MUSQUEAM, SQUAMISH AND TSLEIL-WAUTUTH NATIONS TERRITORIES and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vancity today announced the creation of its new Indigenous Advisory Council (IAC), an independent group tasked with guiding Vancity’s Indigenous banking strategy. The group will focus on three key areas:

Financial inclusion and empowerment
Affordable and climate-friendly housing
Support for entrepreneurs

The committee members, who are compensated for their expertise and contributions, are Charla Huber, Elder Larry Railton and Steven Stark.

“Our Indigenous banking strategy addresses three critical needs identified by Indigenous communities. Each of our advisors brings invaluable expertise in these areas. We are grateful for the guidance these exceptional leaders will bring to us,” said Michelle Laviolette, Director of Indigenous Banking at Vancity.

Committee members

With roots in Fort Chipewyan and Inuit communities, Charla Huber Charla has strong ties to Indigenous communities in British Columbia. She is an adjunct faculty member at Royal Roads University, holds a Master of Professional Communication degree, and a Chartered Housing Owner designation from the Chartered Institute of Housing Canada. Charla has extensive experience in the affordable housing and non-profit sectors, and is known for fostering strong relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

“I have had the honour of working with Vancity on several projects and have seen first-hand their unique approach to honouring Indigenous peoples and communities with humility and integrity. Vancity is not just checking boxes, they are leading the way and I am grateful to be able to contribute,” said Charla.

Elder Larry Railtonof mixed-race origin, has held leadership positions in various educational institutions for over 30 years. He is an advisor and facilitator for Vancity Wealth Mindset Program, a financial literacy and empowerment initiative for Indigenous peoples. Larry is a long-time advocate for improving education for Indigenous youth and also advises the conference committee of the World Forum for Early Childhood Care and Education.

“It is my pleasure to serve as an Elder for the Vancity Wealth Mindset program and as an advisor to the Indigenous Advisory Committee, supporting positive relationships for Indigenous peoples and communities,” said Larry.

Steven StarkPresident and Owner of Tsawwassen Shuttles Inc. and Founder of Two Worlds Transportation and Tsawwassen Constructors, Steven is passionate about entrepreneurship, team leadership and business strategy. As a proud member of the Tsawwassen First Nation, Steven is committed to creating positive impact through sustainable and innovative business solutions.

“Vancity was instrumental in helping me start my business, and we worked closely together to create the Tsawwassen First Nation Residential Mortgage Program“I am proud to be part of Vancity’s Indigenous Advisory Board and support the Indigenous banking strategy moving forward,” said Steven.

Vancity’s Commitment to Reconciliation

Reconciliation is a core value at Vancity. The formation of the Indigenous Advisory Committee represents the next step in the credit union’s reconciliation journey and commitment to reconciliation. Progressive Relations with Indigenous Peoples (PAR). This initiative builds on Vancity’s history as a founding partner of Reconciliation Canada, its adoption of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action for Business, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

About Vancity

Vancity is a values-based financial cooperative serving the needs of its 570,000 member-owners and their communities. It has offices and more than 50 branches in Greater Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Victoria, Squamish and Alert Bay, on the territories of the Coast Salish and Kwakwaka’wakw peoples. With $35.5 billion in 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 contributing to healthy communities that are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable.

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