The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC), the Seven Generations Education Institute (SGEI) and the Martin Family Initiative (MFI) announced Oct 1 that they have partnered to develop a financial literacy pilot project to be delivered at SGEI's facilities in Kenora, Ontario early in 2019.

"The purpose of the partnership…is to ensure that Indigenous Peoples have a better financial background enabling them to be more fully involved in the Canadian economy," said the Right Honourable Paul Martin, Founder, Martin Family Initiative

For the pilot project, the partners collaborated with ABC Life Literacy Canada to adapt FCAC's Your Financial Toolkit program. This program provides information and tools to help adults manage their personal finances and gain the confidence they need to make better financial decisions.

The pilot will include approximately 20 hours of in-class programming on topics such as budgeting, banking, credit and debt management and will be delivered by SGEI's instructors. MFI will assist with training the instructors who will pilot the material with students registered in SGEI's Workplace Literacy and Essential Skills Program.

This partnership between MFI, SGEI and FCAC and the pilot project arose from their work as members of FCAC's Financial Literacy Working Group for Indigenous Peoples.

"We're excited about this partnership with MFI and FCAC and the development of this pilot. It aligns with our vision for SGEI as we move our programs forward, especially with our new education and training facility in Fort Frances," said Brent Tookenay, Chief Executive Officer, Seven Generations Education Institute.