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A Chosen Journey RBC ABORIGINAL PARTNERSHIP REPORT Our Chosen Journey

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A Chosen Journey RBC ABORIGINAL PARTNERSHIP REPORT Our Chosen Journey JUNE 2016 A Chosen Journey RBC ABORIGINAL PARTNERSHIP REPORT Our Chosen Journey CONTENTS Our Chosen Journey 3 RBC Pictorial Timeline 4 A LETTER Economy: Banking, Financing and Investments 6 FROM THE Community: Social Development 10 PRESIDENT AND CEO 6 Feature Story: The Wisdom of Leaders 14 People: Employment, Education and Training 16 It has been said that a journey begins more than offering our financial with a single step. expertise. We remain ever mindful and respectful of the unique social, Procurement: Supplier Opportunities 20 Together with Aboriginal peoples cultural and historic contexts that such across Canada, we have now taken collaboration demands. Progress Reports 22 many steps in the chosen journey we began over a century ago. Along the We also understand the positive way, we have partnered to achieve great impact education can have on the next things, some of which are highlighted generation of Aboriginal leaders in This RBC Aboriginal Partnership Report provides a summary of our activities on the pages of this Aboriginal Canada. To help ensure more Aboriginal and actions as RBC® continues on its journey to build relationships and Partnership Report. young people obtain the educational pathways to prosperity for Canadian Aboriginal peoples. Data gathered in foundation and financial resources RBC highly values the trust our this document is for the 2015-2016 reporting period. they need to succeed in future, we Aboriginal clients continue to place in provide educational support, including us, as we strive to create the Canadian scholarships, which to date total society we all aspire to, for our generation $1.7 million. At RBC, we also continue to and for generations to come. increase the representation of Aboriginal In particular, we see growing people within our own workforce opportunities for Aboriginal through proactive recruitment and communities to thrive and prosper retention programs, as well as our RBC through land claim settlements and Aboriginal Summer Internship Program. business growth, as well as energy In partnership with today’s and future and resource development. generations of Aboriginal peoples, we As we collaborate with Aboriginal look forward to the next 100 years, as communities, organizations, our chosen journey continues. businesses and individuals, we also recognize that building a successful DAVE MCKAY and sustainable future requires PRESIDENT AND CEO, RBC 2 | A CHOSEN JOURNEY RBC ABORIGINAL PARTNERSHIP REPORT | 3 RBC Pictorial Timeline ¡ 1957: Royal Bank opens the first ¡ 1994: Royal Bank pledges $275,000 bank branch in Canada’s Arctic Islands over six years to support Saskatchewan 2010s in Frobisher Bay, Northwest Territories Indian Federated College, Canada’s first (now Iqaluit, Nunavut). Aboriginal institution. ¡ 2010: RBC is the first Canadian ¡ 1995: Royal Bank establishes a national financial institution to offer telephone Aboriginal Banking division. customer service in Cree and Inuktitut. 1960s ¡ 1996: Royal Bank signs an agreement ¡ 2010: RBC introduces a social networking with the National Association of Friendship site, One Heart, for Aboriginal employees. ¡ 1969: Royal Bank launches An Introduction Centres to launch a program of business ¡ 2010: RBC Foundation donates to Banking, an educational booklet for and community development initiatives $1 million to Pathways to Education, c. 1914: Trading post village of Hazelton, BC – Inuit communities in what is now Nunavut. an initiative that focuses on removing Royal Bank branch relocated from the village to across the country. Hagwilget First Nation in 1997. ¡ 1996: Royal Bank joins forces with the barriers to post-secondary education and encouraging meaningful employment 1997: Investiture of Royal Bank executive Charlie Coffey National Aboriginal Veterans Association 1978: Arctic Winter Games, Hay River, NT – (left) as Honorary Chief by Chief Phil Fontaine (right) – 1970s to help raise funds to erect a monument supported by RBC since 1977. in at-risk neighbourhoods. Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. ¡ 1973: A First Nations mural, the largest in Ottawa commemorating war efforts of ¡ 2011: RBC Foundation contributes 1910s piece of Aboriginal art in Canada, is Canada’s Aboriginal men and women. $300,000 to Martin Aboriginal Education ¡ 2012: RBC re-engages Phil Fontaine, unveiled at Vancouver’s main branch. ¡ 1997: Royal Bank issues The Cost of Initiative, a program aimed at helping ¡ 1910: Royal Bank’s merger partner, former National Chief of the Assembly ¡ 1977: Royal Bank supports the 1978 Doing Nothing – A Call to Action and Aboriginal youth stay in school. the Union Bank of Canada, opens a 2000s of First Nations, as Special Advisor for a Arctic Winter Games held in Hay River, Aboriginal Economic Development report. ¡ 2011: Ohsweken branch near Caledonia, branch at the Hudson’s Bay trading ¡ 2000: Royal Bank establishes a national second three-year term. NT. RBC would become the first financial Ontario, celebrates its 20th anniversary. post village of Hazelton, BC. agency banking program as an alternative ¡ 2013: RBC announces the creation of institution to officially sponsor the Arctic ¡ 2011: RBC establishes the Aboriginal delivery method of banking services for the new role of National Manager, Winter Games in 1992. Articling Program with Toronto Law Group, remote rural communities. where Aboriginal law students have access Aboriginal Trust Services. 1940s ¡ 2007: RBC and the Assembly of First Nations to opportunities giving them legal and ¡ 2014: RBC proudly sponsors the ¡ 1947: Royal Bank issues a dedicated sign a Memorandum of Understanding business skills needed to succeed and 2014 North American Indigenous Games 1990s and commit to a two-year action plan (NAIG) in Regina, Saskatchewan, where national Royal Bank letter focused on help their communities prosper. Canadian Aboriginal peoples. ¡ 1990: Royal Eagles, an employee addressing access to capital, community ¡ 2012: RBC receives the CAMSC over 4,000 athletes competed with the resource group, is established at Royal and social development, employment and Corporation of the Year Award, which support of 2,000+ volunteers. Bank to support networking, mentoring, procurement for First Nations people. recognizes leaders who exemplify the very ¡ 2015: RBC is an active employer in hiring 1950s recruitment and retention of Aboriginal ¡ 2008: RBC Blue Water Project® best in corporate practice in the promotion Aboriginal youth and students through employees and to enhance cultural Leadership Grants totalling more than of supplier diversity. a number of programs including the ¡ 1954: Royal Bank CEO James Muir awareness of Aboriginal communities. $1 million are awarded for use in ¡ 2012: RBC invests in northern Aboriginal Summer Internship and Pursue is invested as Honorary Chief of the ¡ 1991: With the opening of its branch on 1961: Nine new clients open Royal Bank accounts in Aboriginal communities. Saskatchewan communities by appointing Your Potential programs. Blood Tribe of the Blackfoot Confederacy Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, Terrace, BC. ¡ 2009: RBC names Phil Fontaine, a new Vice-President of Commercial as a tribute to his leadership and Royal Bank became the first major former three-time National Chief of the Financial Services. humanitarianism. financial institution to have a full-service Assembly of First Nations, as Special ¡ 1997: Charlie Coffey, Royal Bank Executive branch on a First Nation in Canada. Advisor to RBC. Vice-President of Business Banking, ¡ 1992: Royal Bank launches an annual ¡ 2009: RBC introduces Remote Banking, is invested as Honorary Chief by the educational awards program for First a new banking service for Aboriginal Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs to recognize Nations students attending university or Canadians living in remote areas. his support for First Nations peoples. college in Canada – now called the RBC ¡ 2009: RBC Royal Bank® launches its ¡ 1998: Royal Bank is corporate sponsor Aboriginal Student Awards. Leasehold Mortgage Program to provide of Working Partnerships, an Ontario ¡ 1993: Royal Bank launches the Aboriginal First Nations with greater flexibility in government program encouraging Stay in School Program, hiring grade 9-12 developing commercial and residential more Aboriginal partnerships with students to work in bank branches across real estate projects on leased land. the corporate sector. Canada each summer. ¡ 1999: Royal Bank launches a new 1954: Investiture of Royal Bank CEO James Muir on-reserve mortgage housing program as Honorary Chief of the Blood Tribe of the to assist First Nations members in Blackfoot Confederacy. constructing, purchasing and renovating 2014: NAIG, Regina, SK – opening ceremonies. Photo provided by Irina Popova Photography. homes located in their communities. 4 | A CHOSEN JOURNEY RBC ABORIGINAL PARTNERSHIP REPORT | 5 Economy BANKING, FINANCING AND INVESTMENTS “There’s a huge gap for affordable housing for single men in our community,” Ward- Burkitt explains, adding that Ketso Yoh provides more than just beds. Clients are offered support with addictions, mental health and other health issues, training and employment opportunities, and assistance securing independent housing No One Is Turned Away – all in an effort to empower them to improve their quality of life. For decades the Prince George Native Friendship Centre has worked to improve the quality of life for men It was nearly impossible to accommodate through the Ketso Yoh Men’s Shelter – and with their new building, they are poised
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