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Indigenous Advisory Council

In 2020 we established an Indigenous Advisory Council to provide guidance and input to BMO across three pillars: education, employment and economic empowerment.

In 2020 we established an Indigenous Advisory Council to provide guidance and input to BMO across three pillars: education, employment and economic empowerment.

Indigenous Advisory Council Mandate

In January 2020 BMO introduced an Indigenous Advisory Council (IAC) that is comprised of First Nations, Métis and Inuit representation nationwide.
The mandate of the IAC is to provide guidance and feedback to BMO to develop policies and practices that respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Call to Action 92, more specifically with respect to:

  • Indigenous Peoples history and cultural awareness training for all managers and employees of BMO,
  • jobs and training for Indigenous Peoples, and
  • achieving long-term sustainable economic growth for Indigenous communities.

This mandate is summarized as three pillars that reflect BMO’s focus and commitment to reconciliation and progress for Indigenous peoples across Canada: education, employment and economic empowerment.

The first IAC meeting was held in person on March 10 2020, with subsequent virtual meetings taking place quarterly.

Outcomes from IAC input to date:

  • Education: Input and feedback incorporated into the launch of new eLearning, Nisitohtamowin, which provides an introduction to understanding Indigenous perspectives in Canada.
  • Employment: Provided feedback on Indigenous employment strategies nationwide to grow hiring and increase retention.
  • Economic empowerment: Guidance and advice that informed the launch of BMO’s new Indigenous Banking Program.

Membership

The IAC consists of external members and is co-chaired by Chief Roy Whitney-Onespot of the Tsuut’ina Nation along with Mike Bonner, BMO’s Head, Canadian Personal & Business Banking Distribution and Head of Enterprise Indigenous Strategy. The Council is sponsored by Sharon Haward-Laird, BMO’s Group Head, General Counsel, Executive Champion of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Co-Chair of the Leadership Committee for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Membership appointments consider a diversity of factors such as regional representation, gender diversity, background and expertise and more.

Get to know each of our members!

Nadir André

Nadir André

Lawyer, Indigenous Law Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)

Deborah Anne Baker (K’ana)

Aboriginal Business Development Advisor Squamish First Nation, British Columbia

Tabatha Bull

Tabatha Bull

President & Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Council for Indigenous Business

Denis Carignan

Denis Carignan

President and Co-founder, PLATO

Professor Claudette Commanda

Professor Claudette
Commanda

University of Ottawa
Kitigan Zibi, QC

Carol Anne Hilton

Carol Anne Hilton, MBA

Chief Executive Officer and founder of the Indigenomics Institute

Sarah Leo

Sarah Leo

Chief Operating Officer, Nunatsiavut Group of Companies (NGC)
Nain, Nunatsiavut

Chief Donald Maracle

Chief Donald Maracle

Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte
Ontario

Chief Willie Sellars

Chief Willie Sellars

Williams Lake First Nation

Chief Roy Whitney-Onespot

Chief Roy Whitney-Onespot

Tsuut’ina Nation
Alberta

BMO Indigenous Advisory Council Members

Sharon Haward-Laird

Sharon Haward-Laird

Group Head, General Counsel
Executive Champion of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Co-chair of the Leadership Committee for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Mike Bonner

Mike Bonner

Head, Canadian Personal & Business Banking Distribution
BMO Financial Group, ON

Amanda Ens

Amanda Ens

Head, Indigenous Talent Strategy Diversity and Inclusion

Clio Straram

Head, Indigenous Banking
BMO Financial Group, ON