Truth and Reconciliation Action Plan
Scotiabank’s 37 Truth and Reconciliation commitments
Truth before reconciliation
Scotiabank has a role to play in helping unlock the true history of Kanata (the Huron-Iroquois word for “village” where the name Canada came from). We are embarking on a journey of truth through self-reflection that connects to intentionality, honesty, truth and measurable actions, and seeks to amplify Indigenous voices, teachings and knowledge among employees and our broader communities.
Reconciliation Actions
Our Action Plan sets out 37 commitments to establish relationships of trust between Scotiabank and Indigenous employees, clients, and communities. These commitments represent consistent, meaningful, and progressive actions we will take to move us along the path towards Reconciliation.
Leadership and Governance
Establishing institutional infrastructures and supports to unlock and enable long-term Reconciliation strategies.
Education
Fostering a culture of Reconciliation through learning.
Employment
Advancing culturally appropriate conditions that help Indigenous talent to grow and thrive.
Community
Cultivating relationships of trust, respect, and reciprocity with Indigenous communities.
Client and Third Party
Enabling Indigenous economic inclusion and participation.
Environment and Social Impact
Integrating Indigenous knowledge and perspectives in our social and environmental efforts.
Scotiabank’s Mukluks
Mukluks have an animate spirit that needs care. Scotiabank commissioned a pair of mukluks as a living metaphor of the commitment we’re all walking as Treaty People towards meaningful and lasting Reconciliation.
Heidi Houle, a moccasin and mukluk maker artisan from the Paddle Prairie Métis Community in Alberta, Canada, designed and hand-crafted this traditional footwear for Scotiabank. Heidi comes from a long line of Métis entrepreneurs; she skillfully blends traditional Métis beadwork with Cree and Ojibwe mukluk-making techniques.
Statement of Truth and Reconciliation
Across Turtle Island, Scotiabank employs, banks, and resides within or near the territories, nations and communities of Indigenous Peoples. Throughout our history together, we acknowledge the barriers the financial system has created for Indigenous Peoples, impacting their economic advancement, and the significant work to be done to rebuild relationships of trust.
Scotiabank recognizes our responsibility to address the Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, with a specific emphasis on section 92, which requires the corporate sector in Canada to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as a reconciliation framework.
Scotiabank’s Truth & Reconciliation Action Plan will build on foundational work by the Bank, which has earned our Bank certification with the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business’ Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) program. This Action Plan will deepen our Bank’s commitment toward intentionally including Indigenous perspectives into our business and contributing to positive outcomes for Indigenous Peoples.
Our ongoing work is the responsibility of all Scotiabankers, present and future, because we are all Treaty People. Under the continued conditions of learning, co-development and consistent momentum, we hope to contribute to positive outcomes in the form of holistic wellness for Indigenous employees, prosperity among Indigenous clients and reciprocity between Scotiabank and community for generations to come.