Recap: Gathering Our Voices 2024
Date: March 20-21, 2024
Location: Victoria BC, Esquimalt and Songhees Territory
On March 20-21, 2024, CPABC had the pleasure of attending the BC Association of Friendship Centres’ annual Gathering Our Voices youth event which took place in Victoria, BC. Gathering Our Voices is an annual event that aims to, “provide Indigenous youth with the tools to empower and inspire so that they can contribute their gifts to their communities and the world.” Over two days, CPA volunteers facilitated nine Financial Literacy sessions that were tailored for the Indigenous audience.
Approximately 200 Indigenous youth participated in the Financial Literacy workshops presented by CPABC in total, often leading to an above-capacity audience. The workshops were hosted and facilitated by CPABC staff, as well as CPA Financial Literacy volunteers, including Amy Hoggard, CPA, CA, CFE, MS, Andrew Hungerford, CPA, CA, CFA, Richard Myers, CPA, CA, CFP®, Kam Sandhu, CPA, CA, CAFM, Vickie Whitehead, CPA, CGA, CAFM, ICD.D, Christine Woodington, CPA, CGA, and Julie Ziebart, CPA, CA.
From left to right: Jesse Bruised Head, Indigenous Engagement Program Manager, CPABC and Christine Woodington CPA, CPABC Financial Literacy Volunteer, Corporate Accountant, Coal Island Ltd.
The sessions included several tailored offerings from our Financial Literacy catalogue, updated for an Indigenous audience. During this event, CPABC also debuted a new Financial Literacy session, “Navigating Your First Tax Return: A Guide for Indigenous Youth”. It was developed specifically for the event. This session was facilitated by Julie Ziebart and Kam Sandhu.
From left to right: Julie Ziebart CPA, CA, CPABC Financial Literacy Volunteer, Partner MNP and Kam Sandhu CPA, CAFM, Regional Leader for MNP's Vancouver Island Indigenous Services
Additionally, to support Indigenous youths in navigating their potential career paths, CPABC hosted a career panel entitled “Pathways to Prosperity: Navigating Financial Futures - An Indigenous Youth Financial Careers Exploration Panel”. The panel featured Indigenous CPA members Richard Myers, Andrew Hungerford, and Vickie Whitehead, who shared experiences gained during their CPA career journeys. In addition to CPABC’s Financial Literacy sessions, the Gathering Our Voices event offered a diverse mix of workshops, including sessions on drum-making, wilderness survival, and understanding trauma.
From left to right: Richard Myers, CPA, CA, CFP®, Tax and Estate Planner, Odlum Brown Ltd., Vickie Whitehead, CPA, CGA, CAFM, ICD.D, CPABC Financial Literacy Volunteer, Owner, VLW Financial Management Ltd. and Andrew Hungerford, CPA, CA, CFA, Partner, Hungerford Properties
The sessions received many positive comments from youth participants, chaperones, and event organizers. Participants of the debut tax session in particular expressed their eagerness to begin working on their first tax return, highlighting the incredible value and impact of CPABC’s Financial Literacy Program. For CPABC, it was a great experience to be a part of an inspirational event like Gathering Our Voices. We hoped that each participant had at least one thing from our sessions that resonated with them, which might help them on their path toward achieving their goals.
Thank you to CPABC staff, CPA volunteers, the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, and, most of all, the Indigenous young people in attendance!
Questions? Email indigenous@bccpa.ca.