Acceleration of Council demonstration of BMO’s Purpose in wake of BC Apology
TORONTO – BMO Financial Group has established an Indigenous Advisory Council with members from Indigenous communities across Canada. The Council will support further education and awareness, provide input on policies and practices, and build on BMO’s long-term commitment to diversity and inclusion.
This announcement comes following a report that an Indigenous grandfather and granddaughter were accused of fraud and arrested and handcuffed by police in a branch of the bank in British Columbia. The Vancouver Police are being investigated over how they handled the situation as well.
“People are disappointed and angry with us, and I don’t blame them. Part of building a truly inclusive culture involves being honest with ourselves when we fall short of those standards,” said Darryl White, Chief Executive Officer, BMO Financial Group. “An Indigenous customer was not treated with the respect or trust that BMO customers deserve. He entered our branch to open an account for his granddaughter and they were escorted out by police. This is unacceptable.
“Our front line employees have difficult jobs with strict legal requirements. This sometimes requires them to make important decisions based on incomplete information. The vast majority of the time we get these decisions right. This time we didn’t. I — and our entire organization — unreservedly apologize for what happened. We simply should not have called the police, regardless of the circumstances.
“I recognize apologies alone are not enough. The buck stops with me. I know we have to do better and we will do better. Creating this council is an important step.
“We have accelerated the formation of our Indigenous Advisory Council to help drive action from this incident. The Council will provide input to help inform our response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) call to action to improve corporate Canada’s policies and activities, and ongoing strategies and initiatives impacting Indigenous communities. We are honoured to partner with Indigenous leaders from across the country and draw on the voices of our own internal Indigenous Employee Resource Group,” said Mr. White.
As the BMO Indigenous Advisory Council expands, it will be representative of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities. Some of the founding members include:
o Chief Patrick Michell, Kanaka Bar Indian Band, BC
o Regional Chief, Roger Augustine, Assembly of First Nations, NB/PEI
o Minister Anita Campbell, Manitoba Métis Nation, MN
o Chief Terry Paul, Membertou First Nation, NS
o Chief Darcy Bear, Whitecap Dakota First Nation, SK
o Kevin Chief, Principal, Chief Partnerships Manitoba Inc., MN
o Chief Don Maracle, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, ON
o Chief Ouray Crowfoot, Siksika Nation, AB
“My experience with BMO is one of an inclusive organization that has made an exceptional effort over many years to work effectively with Indigenous communities,” said Regional Chief, Roger Augustine, Assembly of First Nations. “The work of the Advisory Council will lead to positive change around cultural awareness and the spirit of reconciliation, peace and friendship.”
Mr. White also announced that the bank will be introducing a new learning requirement, in partnership with Indigenous leaders, for all senior leadership teams across Canada. BMO is accelerating planned training for all employees in Canada as a response to the TRC call to action on providing education on Indigenous Peoples’s history, including the history and legacy of residential schools, Treaties, and Aboriginal rights. Additionally, new training will be provided to assist branch employees in best serving Indigenous customers.
For nearly three decades, BMO has been working with Indigenous communities to support economic self-determination. The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business has recognized BMO with five Gold Level certifications for the bank’s approach to the Indigenous market and for understanding the business case for a diverse workforce and equitable supportive workplace. BMO previously announced as part of its Purpose commitment to build an inclusive society, that it will double its Indigenous banking business by 2025 and double BMO’s team of Indigenous bankers. Through BMO’s company-wide training program and its Indigenous Enterprise Resource Group (the Sharing Circle), BMO encourages understanding, self-identification, and celebration of Indigenous Peoples and cultures.
