Blog

As a society, we often perceive education as a powerful tool that opens a world of opportunities, including a way to overcome financial hardships. Through education, individuals can secure employment and improve their standard of living. While education can serve as a steppingstone towards financial stability, it is important to recognize that without the right resources, it can be difficult to attain financial independence.
 

Canada is often celebrated as a multi-cultural land of great opportunities where people from all walks of life are free to express their identities and live comfortably. But the remnants of Canada’s historical practices are apparent among some communities even today. The wounds from colonization and its negative impacts are deeply rooted within Indigenous communities in Canada. Covid-19 has further complicated the situation by widening the economic disparities experienced by vulnerable communities including the Indigenous Peoples. 

June is National Indigenous History Month, a time meant to reflect on the history, heritage and rich diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across Canada. It is also a time to honour and celebrate the contributions of Indigenous peoples across the country. For many working with Indigenous communities it serves an additional purpose in acknowledging both large and grass-roots organizations striving to create positive change in their communities and Canada at large. 

Dr. Meta Van Den Heuvel, a pediatrician at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), learned about financial empowerment, including tax filing and access to benefits services, when previously working on a study about food insecurity. Dr. Van Den Heuvel, and her colleague, Dr. Catherine Birken, received funding from SickKids Foundation to look at food insecurity amongst families with children requiring inpatient hospital care. 

The Working Centre helps Nimaa, a single mother and newcomer to Canada, shed light on the unique financial challenges she experienced as an Arab woman and helps her secure benefits and financial support. Also, and importantly, they help her find the confidence to manage her own money and budget ensuring her future is brighter and full of possibility.