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Celebrating the heritage, cultures and achievements of Indigenous Peoples
Celebrating the heritage, cultures and achievements of Indigenous Peoples
For more than 30 years, RBC has been committed to the reconciliation journey, working with Indigenous Peoples and communities through specific initiatives designed to generate genuine and meaningful change. A Chosen Journey contains stories that celebrate Indigenous successes and affirms our commitment to the Indigenous community.
A message from RBC President & CEO, Dave McKay
At RBC, we understand that when Indigenous communities prosper, Canada’s economy and society are stronger for it.
Today, Canada has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to become the world’s premier destination for long-term investment. The path forward hinges on the country’s major projects – and bringing them to life will take $1.8 trillion in capital investment over the next decade, backed by strong partnerships between government, business and Indigenous communities.
In this context, banks have a meaningful role to play in advancing Indigenous equity participation in major projects across sectors including energy, critical minerals and infrastructure. And I believe RBC can help lead the way.
For decades, RBC has worked with Indigenous communities to help drive inclusive economic growth, create positive social change and advance reconciliation. In building the bank to support Indigenous communities in a deeper way, we’ve developed a specialized expertise for Indigenous finance transactions – and we are extending these capabilities to major projects.
That is why we recently launched an Indigenous Advisory and Finance practice within RBC Capital Markets, with a focus on offering specialized expertise and capabilities to Indigenous nations in Canada as they work toward building lasting economic prosperity. In partnership with RBC Origins, this practice will help expand access to capital for Indigenous-owned major projects and other investments through advisory services, financing and capacity-building programs.
With this initiative, we are acting on our commitment to Canada’s nation-building projects while re-affirming our commitment to reconciliation, including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 92 for Corporate Canada.
We’re dedicated to playing a role in enacting meaningful change across the pathways outlined in our Reconciliation Action Plan through the different clients, communities, and organizations we support.
This impact would not be possible without the strength of our partnerships. I am grateful for the collaboration and leadership of Indigenous communities and organizations across the country, many of which you will see profiled in A Chosen Journey as well as the RBC Origins team and colleagues across the bank who are helping move this work forward every day.
At the same time, I recognize there is still much more to do. Reconciliation is an ongoing journey, and I am inspired by the determination and vision of the leaders and communities who share this journey with us.
Together with Indigenous Peoples and communities across the country, RBC will continue to help build a more competitive, resilient and future-focused economy that we can all be proud of. Canada’s future prosperity depends on it.
Contributor Profiles
RBC Origins extends its most heartfelt gratitude to all those whose expertise guided the creation of A Chosen Journey 2026.
Design de Plume
This women-led, Indigenous-owned design firm specializes in Indigenous-specific creative work. Aiming to be inclusive, approachable, accessible and integrating Indigenous complexity into their designs, they work to build bridges and welcome new perspectives. Sharing the stories of the communities they represent and working from the communities they are connected to, Design de Plume’s remote work philosophy supports cultural continuity and community care
Jacknife Consulting Ltd
Jacknife Consulting Ltd is a boutique Indigenous-women-led research firm working at the intersection of policy, governance, storytelling and education. With roots in Elizabeth Métis Settlement in Treaty 6, the firm works with clients across Canada to advance reconciliation and elevate Indigenous perspectives. Jacknife Consulting Ltd contributed its expertise to support RBC’s stories contained within A Chosen Journey, to provide an Indigenous lens.
Emily Kewageshig
Emily is an Anishinaabe artist and visual storyteller from Saugeen First Nation No. 29. Her work is rooted in Anishinaabe teachings and explores the cyclical nature of life, including birth, death, and rebirth, to express the deep interconnection between all living beings. With bold graphic lines, vivid colour, and a blend of traditional and contemporary forms, Emily’s illustrations reflect movement, transformation, and ancestral knowledge, illuminating the journey of reconciliation with intention, balance, and enduring cultural wisdom.
Levi Greene
Levi is Cree from Sawridge First Nation in Treaty 8 territory in Northern Alberta. He joined RBC in 2021 through the Indigenous Development Program and has continued to grow his impact across the organization by championing Indigenous visibility, strengthening relationships with communities, and embedding reconciliation into business practices. In his role as Senior Manager, Indigenous Community Relations, RBC Origins at RBC, Levi guided the development of A Chosen Journey 2026 and worked with collaborators to ensure its successful delivery.
Stories from A Chosen Journey
On Track to Shine: Taylor Duffy Cycles into a Bright Future
Get inspired by Taylor Duffy's dream of being a professional athlete
Inu-Vation and Inspiration: Northern Traditions on the Rise
Discover the positive impact that Ilitaqsiniq has on their clients and in their communities across Nunavut
Voting for the Future – The Metis Path to Self-Governance
Discover how Community Forests International partnered with the Ulnooweg Education Centre to find a solution to a pesky problem
Finding a Name in Our Communities
At every biannual conference of the Royal Eagles, RBC's Indigenous employee resource group, there is a cultural component.
Logging onto a New Career: Wallace Peterson Completes the Indigenous Peoples Development Program
Learn how this employee went on a learning journey with the Technology & Operations stream of the Indigenous Peoples Development Program.
Big Screen, Big Dreams: Desiree Brightnose Wins RBC's Emerging Indigenous Filmmaker Award
As the first recipient of the RBC Emerging Indigenous Filmmaker Award, Brightnose received mentorship from filmmaker Sonya Ballantyne.
A History of Celebration
Follow our path of commitment to the Indigenous community, through previous publications of A Chosen Journey.
This report offers general information only and is not intended as legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subject matter discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or its affiliates.
The content of any websites referred to on this report, including via website link, and any other websites they refer to are not incorporated by reference in, and do not form part of, this report. This newsletter is also not intended to make representations as to sustainability-related initiatives of any third parties, whether named herein or otherwise, which may involve information and events that are beyond our control.
Some of the statements contained in this material may be considered forward-looking statements which provide current expectations or forecasts of future results or events. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and involve risks and uncertainties. Do not place undue reliance on these statements because actual results or events may differ materially
Niqinik Nuatsivik Nunavut Food Bank:
A community’s response to hunger in the Arctic
Every second Saturday, Jennifer Anderson and her family can be found at the Niqinik Nuatsivik Nunavut Food Bank (NNNFB) in Iqaluit: "For a year and a half now, as long as we’re in town, we’re usually at the food bank." For Anderson, a long-time volunteer and Client Advisor at RBC, working at the food bank gives her and her family a way to stay involved in the community. This spirit of serving others is rooted in Pijitsirniq, an Inuit value that serves as a guiding principle for the territory.
The Cost of Isolation: Food Insecurity in Nunavut
Nunavut faces alarming rates of food insecurity, which means many families lack access to reliable, adequate, and nutritious food. This national crisis is rooted in multiple complex factors. Rapidly rising grocery prices, poor quality fresh produce, and high shipping costs create immediate hardship. Deeper structural issues include the absence of country food (traditional Inuit food sources with higher nutritional value), climate change, and income disparities.
These factors have led to Nunavut having the highest rates of child poverty and food insecurity in Canada. Mary Anne Walker, president of the NNNFB, addresses the challenging financial situations many families face: "Down south, a litre of beef broth or chicken broth may cost anywhere from 99 cents to maybe $3.99, right? Here, typically it costs $10.99 for a litre. People often don’t have proper nutrition, and so that causes other problems."
A Community-Powered Solution
Iqaluit is home to a little over 7,000 residents and is accessible only by air and sea, making it one of Canada’s most remote capital cities. Due to this isolation, all goods, including food, are flown in through air cargo shipments, which are expensive and require extensive planning. Ships offer another option, but there’s only a narrow window when food can be delivered because of freezing temperatures and icy conditions. These factors can make it challenging for local residents to access nutritional and affordable food.
To help reduce hunger in Iqaluit and across Nunavut, NNNFB was established in 2001 as a non-profit organization. NNNFB has no paid staff and is managed and operated by approximately one hundred community volunteers, highlighting the strong spirit of volunteerism in the area. Since then, the number of families served has grown from thirty to two hundred, with over half of those served under the age of eighteen. The food bank also partners with the "After the Bell" program in Iqaluit, providing nutritious food for children and youth in schools.
Kyle Sheppard, Regional Director, Nunavut and Indigenous Senior Commercial Markets at RBC, and a father himself, speaks about the key role the food bank plays in supporting children: "What kids take home from the school food bank is sometimes the only food they eat that day. It’s very difficult for students to learn, attend, and succeed in school when they’re hungry. Anything we can do to expand food services, whether it’s school breakfasts or the food bank providing additional food to take home, will help address youth food insecurity and pay dividends for decades."
Operating a food bank in a city where the weather is windy and cold presents accessibility and logistical challenges. "In the summer we order sealifts, and we have to order enough dry goods to last until next summer," says Anderson. "Once a shipment comes in, we have to decide how much we have and what we can give out to the families we serve. It’s not an easy task, and sometimes you make little mistakes." To complement annual dry goods shipments, the food bank relies on local sources for fruit and vegetables, showing its commitment to supporting the local economy as well.
As an illustration of RBC’s commitment to the project, financial assistance was provided to the food bank at a crucial time of need. NNNFB received monthly donations for eggs but needed a place to store them. Anderson seized the opportunity and applied for RBC’s employee volunteer programming grant, which was quickly approved, allowing the food bank to purchase a fridge.
Helena Kanga, Manager, Content & Activations, Sustainability & Impact at RBC, whose team leads storytelling and content creation, explains why this work matters: "My team approves donations and meets with community partners, but we are very far removed from the actual beneficiaries. This initiative is a great way for our branch team members to see the impact.”
The Food Bank plans to build a permanent facility that houses both the warehouse and distribution centre, and they are working to expand their services across the Baffin region to support more communities.
What's Next for the Food Bank
Mary Anne Walker, president of the NNNFB reflects on the power of volunteers and the growing need, she notes: "We’re truly a 100% volunteer-based organization, and food is expensive. We thank RBC for their support, as we need corporate backing. Without volunteers, donations, and grants, we couldn’t exist."
To donate to the food bank, visit CanadaHelps and search for Niqinik Nuatsivik Nunavut Food Bank.
Fort McMurray Métis Cultural Centre:
An Unwavering Vision
"We want the Métis Cultural Centre to become a place where people can see how Métis people live, have lived, and are living," says Shawn Myers, president and CEO of Infinity Métis Corporation and Project Director of the McMurray Métis Cultural Centre. “We’ll have a theatre, programming rooms for arts, and a teaching kitchen where they can learn the cuisine. We’re going to have a cultural museum there too so they can see the animals that are in the region."
The Centre represents years of dedication by Fort McMurray Métis Local 1935, whose members dreamed of a space for sharing their history, culture, and stories.
Fort McMurray Métis Local 1935
Métis people have a long history and connection to the Fort McMurray region. Situated on MacDonald Island beside the Athabasca and Clearwater Rivers at Moccasin Flats—the gathering place for Cree, Dene, and Métis—the cultural Centre draws from rich traditions.
Here, Métis people lived and worked, relying on the waterways for food, transportation, and trading, developing kinship ties to the land.
Kelly Myers, District Captain of McMurray Métis, explained the connection her ancestors have to the region: “The people of McMurray Métis are a community defined by resilience, strong family ties, and a deep connection to the land. Many of our citizens have lived in this isolated northern region for generations, and life here requires grit, adaptability, and a profound respect for nature. Our history is one of guiding trade routes, raising families, and helping build the Canadian oil sands, all while keeping our traditions, language, and knowledge alive.”
Despite this strong connection to this area, when Fort McMurray developed and industry boomed, local Métis were displaced from the island they had called home for generations.
To rebuild the community, in 1987, Métis people from the region became politically and socially mobilized, forming Fort McMurray Métis Local 1935, which has since grown significantly. Now the largest Métis Nation in the region, the organization represents over 1,500 citizens in the district. Its mandate focuses on cultural preservation, food security, and social empowerment with an emphasis on bringing together Elders and youth.
Turning Vision into Reality - The Cultural Centre
To embody Métis history, the cultural centre was designed with architecture shaped like an infinity sign, blending traditional and modern elements. Imagined in three phases with three main wings, the structure is expected to be a community multi-use space, featuring both a public wing and an office wing for administration. When complete, the building is anticipated to span 48,000 square feet on 8 acres of land.
For Myers, whose family has called the Fort McMurray area home for over six generations, the Centre represents Métis tenacity to have their stories understood and heard. Kelly notes: "This Cultural Centre is more than just a building, it's where our culture and traditions will be revived, preserved, and passed down."
Construction originally started in 2021, but funding constraints paused the project in 2023, leaving it stalled for over three years with about 40% of the building complete.
Despite the project being delayed, Métis leadership did what their ancestors have been doing for centuries—they pivoted. Relying on relationships, creativity, and a little luck to find alternative paths forward, they intend to move the project over the finish line.
At a local golf tournament, the community approached RBC to help fund a portion of the project. Ehab Zeidan, Director, Commercial Financial Services at RBC, was new to the role and immediately connected with the community’s vision: "This project is not only about lending to a commercial client. It’s about passion and how we can impact the community."
Zeidan sees the long-term benefits of this centre and is proud that RBC can contribute: "This community building is a game changer in Fort McMurray for the McMurray Métis and for the community itself, because it will help the community revive their ancestors’ stories and share the history of this nation."
The goal is for the Centre to become a major Indigenous tourist destination in Fort McMurray with Indigenous theatre productions and hands-on cultural learning that will generate revenue, create employment opportunities, and connect visitors with other regional partners and entrepreneurs.
Beyond cultural preservation, Shawn envisions economic growth: “Tourism in Alberta is a major economic force, visitor spending hit a record $15.2 billion recently and supports about 10 % of the province’s workforce, showing there’s strong demand for meaningful cultural experiences. This Cultural Centre can be that place where residents, visitors, and partners come to learn, reflect, and connect.”
The Guardian Network:
How the Mushkegowuk People Are Connecting Past and Future
Indigenous Guardian programs represent a successful environmental stewardship approach blending Indigenous knowledge with scientific technology. With over 200 programs operating nationally, guardians are often referred to as the eyes and ears of the Nations, serving as stewards of the land and waterways.
These programs offer employment opportunities for community members while fostering collaborative spaces where researchers, scientists, Elders, and youth work together on land stewardship initiatives. Activities include patrolling and monitoring the environment, maintaining and promoting cultural continuity, and collecting and analyzing data. More importantly, these programs support Indigenous self-determination as Nations return to their traditional roles as caretakers of the land.
For Troy Woodhouse, Assistant Terrestrial Manager for Mushkegowuk Lands and Resources at Mushkegowuk Council and part of the Flying Post First Nation, these guardian programs do more than protect the environment and build local economies; they change lives: "The guardian program is helping our youth reconnect with their culture. We are creating space for Elders to transfer knowledge, exposing our youth to their language."
Mushkegowuk Council is a regional political organization representing several First Nations along western James Bay and Hudson Bay, with origins dating back to the late 1970s. The Council is governed by a board of seven directors, including a chief or councillor from Moose Cree First Nation, Fort Albany First Nation, Attawapiskat First Nation, Kashechewan First Nation, Chapleau Cree First Nation, Taykwa Tagamou Nation, and Missanabie Cree First Nation.
Mushkegowuk Council wants every Nation to have its own guardian program while simultaneously creating a connected network across communities. When the RBC Foundation heard about the initiative, it was eager to support the council and their vision for self-governance and greater territorial autonomy, providing a grant to help bring this vision to life. Dean Chamberland, Regional Manager, Environmental Impact, reflected on the long-term benefits: "There’s something very inspiring about the program because the guardians will inspire the next generation, not just to be guardians, but to be better stewards of the land."
Part of the grant funding was allotted to hiring a Guardians Program Planner for building the network. Samantha Matthews, a member of Attawapiskat First Nation and a passionate advocate for her people, explained the benefits of her new role: "The young guardians are our future. We need to invest more in them and create those opportunities."
The Lungs of Mother Earth: Why Peatlands Matter
Northern Ontario is known for its raw natural beauty, with waterways stretching from the great Hudson Bay to the rivers, creeks, and lakes that bring water inland. The area is home to beluga whales, polar bears, walruses, caribou, and geese, and perhaps most importantly, to an ecological wonder known by scientists as peatlands. But more accurately described by Mushkegowuk Elders as the breathing lands, "basically the lungs of Mother Earth, which absorb significant amounts of carbon and give us clean air," explains Troy Woodhouse, Assistant Terrestrial Manager for Mushkegowuk Lands and Resources and part of the Flying Post First Nation.
These peatlands are the second largest in the world, holding between 30 and 40 billion tons of carbon in the peat and permafrost. When the peatlands are disturbed, the climate impacts can be immediate and direct. As industry activity increases in Northern Ontario, the Omushkegowuk people understand what’s at stake in protecting their environment.
Omushkegowuk have stewarded this area since time immemorial, guided by a principle known as Wahkohtowin, which shapes how they view relationships with each other and the land. "Wahkohtowin is our connection to our ancestors, our ancestral ways of knowing and being," shares Calvin Lincez, a member of Chapleau Cree First Nation and a terrestrial region manager. He notes that his people were known traditionally as the River people, traveling the water—the veins of the earth—for annual harvesting.
Passing Down the Art of the Birch Bark Canoe
In 2021, Wahkohtowin Development launched a guardian program in the town of Chapleau, serving Chapleau Cree First Nation, Missanabie Cree First Nation, and Brunswick House First Nation. Learning directly from experienced Knowledge Holders, community members participated in land-based initiatives such as, traditional birch bark canoe building, ensuring traditional knowledge is shared across generations.
Amberly Quakegesic of Brunswick House First Nation met master canoe builder Chuck Commanda through the Guardian Program. Over time, their connection grew from friendship into mentorship. Today, she works alongside him as his helper, harvesting and processing the natural materials needed for traditional birch bark canoes and traveling to canoe builds to learn the craft. The knowledge to build "jiimaans" or “spirit-carrying vessels” is not learned in a classroom. It's passed down through repetition, patience, hands-on learning, and time spent on the land.
Through this mentorship, Quakegesic continues to build her bundle while deepening her connection to her culture, her community, and her role as a steward of the lands and waters.
Building a Connected Network Across
Support from the RBC Foundation, combined with generational knowledge of traditional Elders and the passion of youth, is helping to create a future where the peatlands can continue their purpose. But beyond helping with environmental protection, the guardian program creates space for youth to learn alongside Elders, for community members—both Indigenous and non-Indigenous—to work towards a better future where everyone embodies the spirit of Wahkohtowin: we are all connected.
Shared Wisdom over Time
For generations, Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island have gathered around fires, sharing food, laughing, and listening to the stories of Elders. In these circles, youth learned not just stories about their people, but how to live: their values, responsibilities, and place within their communities. The fire represented a simple but profound space that connected the young and old, bridging traditional ways with the present.
Colonialism disrupted this practice. Residential schools separated families; the Indian Act previously outlawed ceremonies and large gatherings, and oral traditions were stigmatized.
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) hereditary Chief Gilbert ‘Gibby’ Jacob saw the impacts of this lost knowledge firsthand. The rites of passage once shared with younger generations have gone missing, leaving many Indigenous youth disconnected from their roots.
"They don’t know who they are, where they come from," explains Chief Gibby. "It’s a phenomenon that’s all over Indian country. The young people are leaving, and a lot of them don’t go back to their villages. I thought about it and I realized, well, somebody’s gotta do something."
Chief Gibby understands deeply how knowledge was meant to be transmitted, not through formal instruction, but through the traditional practice of storytelling itself: "Nobody is going to sit you down and tell you ‘this is the teacher.’ They tell you their story. If you listen a number of times, you get the message. You get the teachings."
He gestures to illustrate the journey of knowledge: "If you listen, you hear through here," he says, pointing to his ears. "You process it through here," touching his temple. "But where does that truth go? Where does it land?" He places his hand over his chest. "Your heart."
His understanding of storytelling and leadership came from his first teachers, his parents. His late father served as a hereditary Chief, serving for more than thirty years on Chief and Council before passing Chieftainship to his late sister, Lois. When his sister passed away, Chief Gibby stepped into the role of hereditary Chief, continuing his family’s legacy.
"I was a long-term elected leader of my tribe. I served eight four-year terms consecutively as part of Chief and Council. And I spent 40 years of my life working for my people, and I spent the majority of my life living within one block in my community."
A Vision Brought to Life: The Making of the Documentary Series
Throughout Chief Gibby’s tenure of working for his community, he recognized the need to share traditional teachings with young people. His solution was developing a documentary series, Back to the Fire: In Search of the Lost Values that Could Change Our World, highlighting Indigenous leaders across Canada, sharing their stories. To bring it to life, he collaborated with Juno Award-winning filmmaker Andy Keen and other Indigenous producers and artists.
The first episode follows Gwawaenuk Chief Dr. Robert Joseph on a voyage to Coastal B.C.’s Kwakwaka’wakw territory, where he shares his moving story and vision for Canada. Other leaders are also highlighted in subsequent episodes, including Chief Sophie Pierre of the St. Mary’s Indian Band in Cranbrook, B.C., and Miles Richardson, the former Chief Treaty Commissioner and President of the Haida Nation.
While the series captures cultural teachings, impacts of residential schools, and Indigenous resilience, it also reveals friendship, humour, and the leaders’ enduring hope for future generations. The second episode was recently completed, with the third episode currently being filmed.
For Keen, who is non-Indigenous, participating in this project was transformative. He found himself balancing his role as director with that of a learner as he helped capture Indigenous stories while deepening his own understanding of reconciliation. "The documentary encourages people to understand what reconciliation means. It could mean different things to different people, but it’s really about building relationships."
RBC’s Commitment to Back to the Fire
To fund the project, they approached RBC, which had maintained a longstanding relationship with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) dating back to 2006. RBC was inspired by Chief Gibby’s vision and became a founding contributor.
RBC and the Back to the Fire team hosted screenings of the first two episodes followed by fireside chats in their Vancouver offices. On February 11, the second fireside chat took place, with over 120 staff attending from various departments, emphasizing the strong connection RBC employees have to the film series.
Martin Thibodeau, Regional President, BC at RBC, sees these fireside chats as more than film screenings — they are a pathway to change: "After watching the film, the question becomes: what do people do with this? What’s the call to action? The theme here is reconciliation in action: education, understanding, awareness, and then translating that into something meaningful and tangible."
Chief Gibby's Invitation to Canadians
As a master storyteller, Chief Gibby understands what must happen next: the circles must grow. With the third episode currently being filmed and momentum building, Chief Gibby and Keen are actively seeking additional funding partners and broadcaster partnerships to amplify, Back to the Fire's, reach across Canada.
Their vision for the series is clear: to bring these powerful teachings to Indigenous youth searching for their roots and to invite Canadians on their reconciliation journey to sit by the fire.
The Gifts We Carry:
The NCTR’s Impact on Canadians
On September 18, 2025, over 3,000 students and teachers gathered in Kjipuktuk (Halifax) for Truth and Reconciliation Week (TRW), with another 3,000 attending virtually. The event, themed "The Gifts We Carry," brought together Indigenous artists, residential school Survivors, and students from across Canada in a powerful celebration of resilience, truth-telling, and reconciliation. This milestone was made possible through RBC’s ongoing collaboration with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR).
From the TRC to Building Legacy: The National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation
Located at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) preserves and shares the truths of residential school Survivors, their families, and communities through archives, videos, and research. The Centre also educates Canadians about the profound injustices inflicted on First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples through the residential school system, which operated from the 1830s to the 1990s and impacted over 150,000 Indigenous children.
The Centre emerged from the legacy of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), whose three commissioners, the late Honourable Murray Sinclair, Chief Wilton Littlechild, and Dr. Marie Wilson, traveled across the country between 2010 and 2015, speaking to Survivors and their families, documenting their statements. In 2015, the Commission released its report, along with 94 Calls to Action. After institutions put forward bids to host the TRC archive, a Truth Deed and Administrative Agreement were signed between the TRC and University of Manitoba to formally establish the Centre on their campus and continue the vital work of educating Canadians and keeping Survivors’ truths alive.
The Centre runs several programs, including the annual Truth and Reconciliation Week, hosts corporate lunch-and-learns and facilitates educational conversations about land claims and the residential school system. In 2025 alone, the Centre’s programs reached 13,642 educators, and roughly 758,940 students across Canada.
The Gifts We Carry Event
"The Gifts We Carry," was a two-hour event that brought forward the truths of residential school Survivors who shared their experiences in fireside chats and celebrated Mi’kmaq culture. The event featured performances by Mi’kmaq artists, including Stoney Bear Singers and Michael R. Denny. An emotional moment featured the Memorial Cloth, which displayed names of children who died at residential schools, while Mi’kmaq artist DeeDee Austin sang “Buried Truth” as volunteers moved the cloth throughout the room.
Kaila Johnston, Director of Education for the NCTR, has spent most of her career connected to the TRC, starting in 2010 with the Commission. She explained what makes the event special: "The program brings together the honouring and recognition of residential school Survivors and the children who did not come home. But interspersed between those historical pieces, we intermix celebration of Indigenous languages, cultures, and communities. So students, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, can be inspired."
RBC has been a key sponsor of TRW since its inaugural event in 2020. Mili Jain, Senior Manager, Content & Activation Strategy at RBC, spoke about the profound impact of the event, which she attended with her team. "It held so many different emotions in one place," she said. "I helped carry the cloth where they have names of all the children who didn’t come home. I had goosebumps throughout the whole event. It was impactful."
To ensure students could recharge and decompress during the event, RBC sponsored a recharge room that included a charging station and headphones for students to listen to music. For many Indigenous youth, these topics carry emotional weight, and having a safe space was crucial.
The 2025 event coincided with the 10th anniversary of the TRC of Canada’s final report, making it particularly significant. Johnston reflected on the changes she’s witnessed since working in this space for over a decade: "There are businesses like RBC that are willing and open to come to the table… Without the support of RBC, we wouldn’t have a live youth empowerment event."
RBC Renews Commitment to Change
RBC has renewed its support for another three years, committing to advance the critical reconciliation work of NCTR and ensure its impact continues to inspire future generations through education.
Johnston considers the journey ahead: "The movement has become so large now that it’s impossible to stop. There may be hurdles or challenges ahead, but with the goodwill and efforts of our allies and organizations standing with Survivors, we’re going to continue to make waves and create real change."