If you or someone you know is struggling with the ongoing negative impact of residential schools, support is available by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.
Respect. Reflect. Remember.
Scotiabank recognizes Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and honours the lost children and survivors of residential schools in Canada.
We are privileged to stand on the ancestral and unceded territory of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people. We offer our gratitude to the First Peoples for their care for, and teachings about, our earth and our relations. We acknowledge the effect of residential schools and colonialism on Indigenous families and communities. Considering this history, we dedicate ourselves to moving forward in the spirit of partnership, collaboration, and reconciliation. Stewardship with Indigenous Peoples, cultures, and communities is all of our responsibility. We reflect on the actions and the steps that must be made towards the advancement of truth and reconciliation.
Thank you to the Indigenous Inclusion team and Indigenous Employee Resource Group for granting us permission to use this Land Acknowledgement.
Supporting Indigenous communities through education
Today is Orange Shirt Day” by Phyllis Webstad
Scotiabank is honoured to support the release of Phyllis Webstad’s new book “Today is Orange Shirt Day”. The illustrated storybook helps to introduce children under three to what they might see and do on Orange Shirt day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Scotiabank is purchasing and gifting over 2,000 copies of the books and providing them to preschools and daycares across the country.
Spaces to learn about the impacts of the residential school system
In partnership with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF), Scotiabank has four dedicated Legacy Spaces to bring attention to Chanie Wenjack’s story, a 12-year-old Indigenous boy who died while fleeing a residential school. The Legacy Spaces provide an opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians to engage and learn about the history and legacy of residential schools.
The Moose Hide Campaign
Scotiabank stands with the Moose Hide Campaign, an Indigenous-led movement taking action against violence towards women, girls, and all those along the gender continuum. As part of a multi-year partnership with the organization, more than 30,000 moose hide pins have been distributed to employees nationwide to help drive awareness with our clients and spur action to support the Campaign.
Gakino’amaage: Teach For Canada
Scotiabank supports Gakino’amaage: Teach For Canada to help improve the educational outcomes for over 6,000 Indigenous students in remote First Nations communities.
Indspire
Scotiabank supports Indspire to increase economic prosperity for Indigenous youth, by helping ensure a smooth transition into post-secondary education and the work force.
Connected North
Scotiabank supports Connected North, a program that provides immersive and interactive education experiences to over 34,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students and 1,100 teachers in remote communities across Canada.
Clan Mothers Healing Village and Knowledge Centre
ScotiaRISE supports Clan Mothers Healing Village and Knowledge Centre and its Trauma Informed Training and Education program. The program provides support, education, career preparation and employment opportunities for Women, Trans and 2Spirited people who suffer intergenerational traumas.
Supporting Indigenous employees
Employment Equity Plan
To support the Indigenous Peoples Employment Equity Plan and Indigenous employees, a new team, the Inclusion of Indigenous Peoples Centre of Expertise (COE) was created in 2023. The COE is focused on the retention and development of Indigenous Peoples at the Bank, including leading mentorship and development programs for Indigenous Peoples.
Supportive employee benefits
Employees enrolled in the Canadian Benefits Plan can submit expenses related to Indigenous ceremonies, language learning, materials for cultural crafts, and traditional medicine through the Wellbeing Account. Through Telus Health AbilitiCBT, the Bank offers an online story-based mental health resource supported by Indigenous wellness providers to all Indigenous employees.
Traditional Indigenous Practices Leave Policy
Scotiabank’s Traditional Indigenous Practices Leave policy provides five paid days off for Indigenous employees to participate in Indigenous cultural practices and events.
Platforms for Indigenous employees to share their experiences
To help create a sense of community for Indigenous Peoples in Canada at the Bank, the Indigenous Peoples Network ERG (IERG) meets monthly to share and celebrate Indigenous identity and offer mentorship to new employees. The IERG also plans regular events that bring together all members of the Bank to learn about Indigenous cultures, histories, and traditions.
Mandatory Indigenous cultural competency course for all employees in Canada
Scotiabank’s Indigenous cultural competency program provides all employees with an introductory course to build awareness of the diversity of Indigenous cultures in Canada and apply this understanding to advance inclusion and belonging. The course connects historical and contemporary Indigenous experiences to present-day relationships with Canadian governments, communities, and financial institutions and is mandatory for all employees in Canada and all global employees serving Canadian clients.
Supporting Indigenous clients
Member of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business
Scotiabank is a proud member of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business. This third-party certification recognizes companies that have demonstrated effective programs and policies to maximize involvement with Indigenous communities.
Helping Indigenous clients turn systemic constraints into economic opportunity
Scotiabank’s Indigenous Financial Services group creates sustainable financial relationships based on trust and respect to help achieve prosperity and honour our commitment to future generations. We listen to understand our client’s challenges, whether it’s legislative constraints to raising capital, operating enterprises in remote places, or a historic legacy of distrust of non-Indigenous parties.
Canada’s first on-reserve bank branch
More than five decades ago, Scotiabank became the first non-Indigenous Canadian bank to open a branch in a First Nations community – signifying our desire to understand, respect and work with Indigenous individuals, communities, and businesses on their traditional lands.
SOAR: Development Program for First Nations, Inuit & Métis Peoples
A development program designed exclusively for Indigenous Peoples completing post-secondary education. We recognize the important contributions and perspectives that Indigenous Peoples provide our society and are committed to removing systemic barriers that have, in the past made it difficult for Indigenous Peoples to obtain meaningful careers in banking.
Illustrations created by Ojibwe graphic designer Joshua Hunt from Migisi Sahgaigan (Eagle Lake) in Treaty 3.