New program empowers indigenous youth with financial skills through culturally adapted resources
The Canadian Foundation for Economic Education (CFEE) and IG Wealth Management have introduced Indigenous Peoples' Money and Youth, a free digital resource promising to address the financial challenges, decisions, and opportunities Indigenous youth face across Canada.
Based on the successful and award-winning Money and Youth financial literacy program, this new version was adapted with guidance from Indigenous advisors.
Damon Johnston, president and CEO of the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg, served as the project lead, while Vanessa Everett, acting CEO of the Keewatin Economic Development Corporation, was the principal writer.
The resource was reviewed by a team of Indigenous content experts to ensure it reflects the unique needs, interests, and cultural factors relevant to Indigenous youth.
Indigenous Peoples' Money and Youth consists of 15 modules covering personal finance topics, including setting financial goals, borrowing money, saving, and investing.
The program includes a Youth Guide, Teacher’s Guide, and Caregiver’s Guide, all designed to empower Indigenous youth and their supporters.
These resources are available in English, both in print and digitally, on the CFEE website, where they can be read online, downloaded, or printed.
The program will launch through a pilot initiative, focusing on Grade 9–12 classes in both rural and urban settings. Teachers and caregivers will collaborate to deliver the resource effectively.
“I am a member of the Fort William First Nation in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and born in Winnipeg, MB,” said Johnston. “Being an advocate for, and within, the Indigenous community for over 45 years, I enjoyed the time and input spent in this important initiative with CFEE and IG.”
Everett added, “I have been privileged to visit Indigenous communities across the country and honoured to learn from diverse nations, tribes, and communities. As sovereign nations working toward economic reconciliation, Indigenous communities need to encourage financial literacy among youth from an early age.”
Murchison highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating, “We’re so proud of our ongoing work with organizations like CFEE to build financial well-being among key underserved communities, including Indigenous peoples. The launch of this new resource is another small step in helping empower Indigenous communities in general, and Indigenous youth in particular.”
CFEE President Gary Rabbior emphasized the program’s long-standing success and its potential to make a difference.
“We have long wanted to adapt the program to enhance its appeal to, and use by, Indigenous youth across the country,” he said. “We extend our sincere thanks to IG Wealth Management and the incredible team of Indigenous writers, reviewers, and educators who have brought our hope to reality.”
Manitoba’s acting Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning, Tracy Schmidt, said, “Providing these resources for Indigenous learners helps remove systemic barriers to support student success in academics and beyond.”
According to the press release, this initiative represents a step forward in fostering financial literacy and economic empowerment among Indigenous youth, supporting reconciliation and equitable opportunities across Canada.
The resource was launched at IG Wealth Management’s head office in Winnipeg.
