Economic and community development key to Aboriginal success:
RBC
RBC marks National Aboriginal Day with release of two new
reports - Action Plan with the AFN and new Aboriginal Partnership
Report
TORONTO, June 21, 2010— To mark National
Aboriginal Day, RBC today announced the release of its second
annual A Chosen Journey: RBC Aboriginal Partnership Report
and is providing highlights from the two-year Corporate Challenge
Action Plan with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN).
"Our focus is on improving the key pillars of economic
and community development for First Nations, Métis
and Inuit communities," explained Dale Sturges, national
director, Aboriginal Markets, RBC. "With the success
of the action plan and our commitment to the aboriginal community,
we look forward to continue working with the AFN, as well
as local businesses, governments and communities to find ways
to create economic opportunities that benefit Aboriginal peoples
and the overall Canadian economy."
Both the Partnership Report and the Action Plan address four
key elements of RBC's ongoing work with Aboriginal peoples
across Canada including access to financial services, employment
and education, community development and procurement.
The two-year Corporate Challenge Action Plan included the
following initiatives:
Providing access to financial services and capital
- RBC introduced a new banking service for Aboriginal people
living in remote communities, making it easier for them
to access personal banking services with the same convenience
and ease as individuals living in more urban locations.
- RBC provided capital funds for community infrastructure
projects, such as cultural centres, housing projects, health
centres and community buildings.
- RBC expanded the On-Reserve Housing Loan Program to increase
home financing options in First Nations communities.
Community and social development
- RBC provided more than $1 million in RBC Blue Water Project
Leadership Grants that benefit Aboriginal communities.
- RBC became a lead investor in partnership with the Conference
Board of Canada, for a new five-year commitment to the Centre
for the North.
- RBC donated $4 million to support Aboriginal community
and social development programs and charities.
- RBC spearheaded unprecedented Aboriginal involvement in
the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, with over 100 visits
to First Nation communities.
Employment, training and education
- RBC provided education and employment programs for First
Nations youth, including the RBC Aboriginal Student Awards
Program, the RBC Stay in School Program and the Aboriginal
Transitions Program at Lethbridge Community College.
- RBC awarded $1 million in scholarships through the RBC
Aboriginal Student Awards Program.
- RBC provided 'work and learn' summer job opportunities
as customer service representatives to 86 Aboriginal students
in grades nine to 12.
Procurement
- RBC worked with the Canadian Aboriginal Minority Suppliers
Council to identify Aboriginal-owned companies to provide
goods and services to RBC, including sponsorship of their
annual trade fair and awards gala.
A
Chosen Journey: RBC Aboriginal Partnership Report 2009
can be viewed by visiting www.rbcroyalbank.com/commercial/aboriginal.
For highlights, or more information about what RBC is doing
to support Aboriginal Canadians, please visit www.rbcroyalbank.com/aboriginal.
About RBC and Aboriginal Canadians
RBC has a proud history of strong relationships with Aboriginal
peoples. We are committed to serving Aboriginal governments,
communities, organizations, businesses and individuals by
creating opportunities for sustainable economic development
through: access to banking and capital; community and social
development; employment, education and training; and procurement.
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Media contacts:
Matt Gierasimczuk,
416-974-2124, matthew.gierasimczuk@rbc.com
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