By Sarah Walker
Dana Martin has built an impressive career in finance, breaking barriers as an Indigenous executive at Scotiabank. As the Vice President of Indigenous Financial Services, she is an advocate for economic reconciliation and resilience for Indigenous Peoples across Canada, leading numerous initiatives to support this cause.
“Growing up, I never thought I would work in finance or that there would be a role for Indigenous finance in the world of banking,” she says. “Today, I openly celebrate my culture.”
Dana grew up with mixed feelings about being an Indigenous person.
“My mom was adamant that we didn’t tell anyone that we were Indigenous, our family being Citizens of Metis Nation of Alberta,” she says. “She was scared about what we would face or what could happen to us.”
It wasn’t until Dana left her close-knit farming community, about an hour west of Edmonton, and moved to the city, that she understood her mother’s concerns were well-founded.
“Some of the things I heard, the comments that were made, it was horrible,” she says. “At first, I responded with anger. You get angry because these are people who don’t know you or where you came from. But there’s a risk that anger will lead you down the wrong path. You need to learn to build from it so you can grow and learn to influence and educate, as opposed to being resentful.”
From Cattle Farm to Corporate Leadership
Dana’s journey began on a cattle farm, the middle child in a family rooted in both Swedish and Indigenous heritage. Her mother’s family had deep ties to Lac Ste Anne, a vital social, cultural, and spiritual hub for Canada’s Indigenous Peoples.
“The area has a great importance for pilgrimage and coming together,” Dana says. “When we were little kids, we’d always go with my grandma and papa to sell quilts and firewood or to visit my great-grandparents Grannie and Grandpa. It was very special.”
As a child, her school arranged a field trip to visit with Dana’s grandmother where she would teach the children about Indigenous history and culture, like how to make bannock over a fire or about Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump and the hunting of buffalo.
By high school, Dana knew she wanted to explore the world beyond the farm’s fences. As she loved seeking adventure, she began travelling (she has since visited 50 countries) and exploring various career opportunities.
She eventually landed at Scotiabank as a teller and began her steady ascent up the corporate ladder, ticking off-key roles along the way, including Branch Manager, District Banking Manager and District Vice President.
“I was achieving everything I’d ever wanted, but I still felt so lost because I didn’t feel comfortable talking about my Indigenous roots,” she reflects. “I felt like I didn’t quite fit into the corporate colonized world.”
Cultural Pride and Community Advocacy
Meetings with Scotiabank colleagues Richel Davies, the current Director of Inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and Angie Vieira, Senior Manager, Policy, Inclusion of Indigenous Peoples, changed all of that.
You cannot be what you cannot see. Change is happening and people are doing the hard work to understand and embrace Indigenous culture across the country, not just within Scotiabank."
“Richel and Angie connected me with Scotiabank’s Indigenous Employee Resource Group and the great Indigenous community inside the organization,” Dana says. “They gave me pep talks. They made me feel like it was okay to talk about my Indigenous roots. They got me to open up and be less concerned.” Richel and Angie, along with Dana’s strong group of Indigenous friends and allies, were Dana’s biggest cheerleaders.
Today, Dana says she wears her beaded earrings proudly and works hard to inspire her team members — Indigenous and non-Indigenous — to embrace who they are.
She’s also become an open advocate for Indigenous financial rights across Canada.
“Because of the Indian Act, we have to come up with creative ways to support Indigenous clients, from small businesses to First Nations and their economic development corporations,” she says. “The way business is done with Indigenous Peoples is different — something we understand deeply. We won’t just go into a community to ask that a deal be signed. We get to know the people first, we break bread, we meet elders. We’re building community, not just partnerships. We know we must rebuild trust.”
Part of that trust building includes supporting Indigenous Communities beyond financial contracts. For example, Scotiabank has committed to a multi-year donation to Indspire, Canada’s largest Indigenous-led and Indigenous-focused charity in support of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth.
“In my role today, I get to inspire others,” Dana says. “You cannot be what you cannot see. Change is happening and people are doing the hard work to understand and embrace Indigenous culture across the country, not just within Scotiabank.”
Even her mom now speaks candidly about her Indigenous history.
“A few years ago, my mom asked me for a Teepee for her front lawn — something she would never have done in the past,” Dana shares. “I asked her why she wanted one and she said she was no longer fearful of being open about who she was, partially because of the work I’ve been doing.”
She adds that she hopes any non-Indigenous person reading this article continues to listen and learn from the Indigenous stories so many people are finally opening up to tell. She also hopes people start to embed themselves more in the rich culture and traditions of Indigenous Peoples.
“Doing a course and reading a book is amazing, but that’s not going to give you a true sense of who we are, so reach out and truly connect,” advises Dana. “Visit your local Indigenous community, attend a public Pow Wow, learn about our traditions. This will help you speak up when you hear injustices.”
And for her Indigenous Community? “Our ancestors didn’t survive for time immemorial for us to not be here and be proud. Be proud of who you — we — are. We are an important part of our story. We’re loud. We’re proud. We don’t have to be afraid like my mom was.”
This article was first published in Women of Influence and is republished with permission.