Community is not just about living and working together but supporting each other to grow and prosper. It goes beyond kinship to ensure those who need help are given as much support as possible. After all, when the most vulnerable of us can flourish, only then can a community truly succeed. Giving back to the community is one of our core principles and all our efforts (whether through our community impact campaigns, community grants, scholarships, or our Member Rewards Program), are aimed to reflect our Responsible Banking™ philosophy.
You might have heard about our responsible approach to banking where you can save money on fees, earn cash through profit sharing, and help us give back to your community, all simply by banking with us. Every facet of Responsible Banking™ is important to us, but the give component is definitely close to our hearts. We’ve even been recognized by Imagine Canada as a Caring Company. Caring Companies are those that give back a minimum of 1% of their pre-tax profits towards supporting community initiatives. We choose to give back 2% to 4% of our pre-tax profits to various activities that aim to support our communities including partnerships, community grants, and scholarships to name a few. Giving back to the communities we’re a part of is just the right thing to do.
Innovation Indigenous Arts Partnership Project (IAPP)
One of our latest partnerships that we are incredibly proud to be a part of is the Battlefords Big Brothers and Big Sisters and Concern for Youth’s Innovation Indigenous Arts Partnership Project (IAPP). The Innovation Credit Union (IAPP) is a community youth program where Indigenous friends and neighbours can learn more about art, culture, language, and history in small group activity settings.
The objectives of the Innovation Credit Union Indigenous Arts Partnership Project (IAPP) are:
- Creating opportunities to help keep First Nations culture alive within youth through positive experiences,
- Providing opportunities for families to bond through learning about culture and art, and
- Creating immersive experiences to further Reconciliation efforts within the community at large.
The program provides mentorship, guidance, and reflection that is spearheaded by a team of supportive adult allies. Meanwhile, teachings are delivered by local instructors, Knowledge Keepers, and Elders. Youth in the community can learn beading, hand drums, how to make dream catchers, how to make ribbon skirts and shirts, as well as Tipi teachings and risings.
Here are some takeaways from some of the sessions at the Innovation IAPP:
On ribbon-shirt making…
“We were joined by our incredible instructor Savannah to host our very first ribbon shirt specific class!
Through lots of patience, trouble shooting, and conversation we had some beautiful shirts completed! When they were first manufactured, our shirts had no idea the journey they would be on with us.
Here are some of the things we learned and worked through:
- how easy and yet hard it is to sew on our own buttons,
- you can stop the end of ribbon from unravelling by burning the end (which was a highlight!)
- we were nervous to rip the seams to add our ribbons at first, but more okay when we knew we were giving them a new life,
- you have to trust the process!”
On making ribbon hoodies…
“Our ever-talented instructor Savannah helped foster and inspire the youth’s creativity by bringing their visions to life with the cloth and ribbon panels and additions while the Adult Allies managed the Cricut and added final touches with special heat transfer vinyl!
All the youth spoke about how amazed they were with their final creations and that they almost couldn’t believe that they had been the ones to make them! Several hoodies have already been worn in the community.
Some special moments in this class included:
- Several first-time sewers confidently using the machines,
- Counting to 10 in Cree while counting down the heat press,
- Persevering through uncertainty and trusting our talents, skills, and creativity, and
- Trying something new without fear of making a mistake.”
On making crystal bracelets…
“Crystal bracelet making was a popular request and on our wish list to bring to our youth (for free) so we were beyond delighted when Krista was more than willing to join us for an afternoon of curious questions, learning to trust our intuition, creative energy, and adding tools to our mindful tool kits.
Not only did the youth create their own bracelets that Krista was able to tell them more about the crystal beads they selected, but they also made some to share with others! Krista also showed us how to use a singing bowl and shared more about our own energies and how we are powerful when we connect to them and keep them in balance. Several youth also learned more about their zodiac signs and how they can explore new things that can help them rebalance - like connecting to nature or finding new ways to incorporate or appreciate water. The mantra oracle cards were also popular among the youth!”
On tipi rising…
“This was one of the highlights of our summer!
And a great chance to learn more about the tipi teachings, traditional ceremonies (including smudging and offering tobacco), and to ask questions!”
Besides these initiatives, the Innovation IAPP continues to provide classes that are in demand, including their latest planned session on making jewellery from elk teeth.
How did Innovation help?
We were privileged to be able help expand programming and more individualized support to youth, buy more supplies, provide new opportunities, and greater support to youth families within the community.
According to Renee Sperling, Battlefords Big Brothers and Big Sisters Program Coordinator and Adult Ally at the Indigenous Art Partnership Project, “The support from Innovation has also allowed us to individually support youth, including one youth who created their own regalia and begun dancing for the first time. We have also been able to compensate our youth instructors for some programs, which is enabling the continuation of teachings with the younger generation and providing critical leadership development coaching and opportunities to young adults in our community.”
Wahkohtowin
As a token of gratitude for our involvement, youth from the Innovation Indigenous Arts Partnership Project created a dreamcatcher with the support of adult allies in the summer of 2022. We have installed this beautiful work of art at our North Battleford advice centre. It serves as a symbol of wahkohtowin (community | kinship | connection) that we’re so humbled to have formed among the organizations and agencies that are a part of the project’s circle of support. It also represents the good hopes and wishes for us that the youth thought of while weaving the web and the good intentions that they sent into the community through the creation of the dreamcatcher. Hiy Hiy!
As you can see with the Innovation IAPP and so many of our community outreach programs, when we come together, we can make wonderful things happen for the community and youth. Thank you to everyone involved in this wonderful partnership. You are truly difference-makers.