Libro Credit Union to honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
August 19, 2021
On September 30, Libro Credit Union will begin observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on an annual basis to recognize Indigenous culture and history and the importance of honouring survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities.
“It’s important to create space for learning and reflection to commemorate the history and legacy of residential schools, which remains a vital component of the reconciliation process,” said Brian Aalbers, Libro’s Executive Vice President, People and Culture. “At Libro, we take responsibility to listen and learn, from within our own staff and beyond, and carry that with us as we work to better our own efforts in truth and reconciliation.”
“Libro is a provincially regulated Credit Union, and while September 30th is not a provincially recognized statutory holiday, we are choosing to honour this day as part of our ongoing commitment toward truth and reconciliation.”
The establishment of a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a federal statutory holiday is in response to the 80th call to action, which urged the federal government to work with Indigenous peoples to establish such a holiday. As stated in the calls to action report, the day’s purpose is to “honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.” This coincides with Orange Shirt Day, which began in 2013.
Libro Credit Union is the biggest credit union in southwestern Ontario and has a growing and important commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous communities across southwestern Ontario is an important part of this.
- On September 30th, all Libro locations will close with Libro Connect, our contact centre, open to support our customer-Owners from 8 am to 5 pm.
- Learning and development programming will be available to over 700 staff at Libro, Owner Representatives and Board members, with a focus on education of Indigenous culture and history and honouring survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities.
Libro Credit Union is banking with a difference, and our purpose is to grow prosperity in southwestern Ontario by transforming banking. We use our business as a force for good and listen to what matters to the communities we serve and the people within them. When we pool our resources and use our collective voices to support change, we will all be better off together.
We encourage everyone to reflect and consider your role in reconciliation wherever you live, work and play on September 30 and beyond. Over the coming weeks, keep an eye out for resources being shared on Libro’s corporate social media accounts.
Libro Credit Union warmly welcomes all approaches from the media.
# # #
Media contact: Mike Donachie, Communications Manager, Libro Credit Union
P: 519-672-0130 ext. 4344, C: 226-926-4068, mike.donachie@libro.ca
Visit libro.ca/media.