Financial skills give Indigenous communities the ability to plan, build, and grow on their own terms. What once seemed complicated becomes a practical tool to build community, launch programs, and create opportunities for the next generation.
Here are five key reasons why building this financial capacity is so important and why it is at the heart of AFOA BC’s work.
1. Local Knowledge Stays Local
When financial knowledge is built inside the community, it does not leave with an outside consultant. It stays, it grows, and it becomes a strength for the Indigenous Nation.
We often hear from leaders who attended an AFOA BC workshop that they are able to apply what they learned right away. They make audits smoother, create clearer budgets, or train their coworkers. This knowledge multiplies and benefits the community year after year.
2. Preparing the Next Generation of Leaders
The future of Indigenous communities depends on the readiness of young leaders. Many are already stepping into leadership and administrative roles earlier than expected.
By equipping Youth the tools to understand financial systems, we prepare them to lead with confidence. These are the leaders who will protect resources, launch new projects, and make decisions with both tradition and the future in mind.
3. Creating a Fair Playing Field
Financial knowledge creates a fair playing field when negotiating agreements, applying for funding, or forming partnerships.
Communities with strong financial capacity walk into meetings as equals. They know the right questions to ask, the risks to watch for, and the opportunities worth pursuing. Building financial skills does more than balance the books; it balances the conversation.
4. Planning for Prosperity
Strong financial tools allow communities to move beyond short-term fixes and focus on long-term prosperity.
This shift is more than financial; it is about culture and future generations. With strong financial capacity, communities can ask new questions: How do we grow our resources responsibly? How do we protect wealth for the next seven generations? How do we align prosperity with our values?
5. Building Stronger Communities Together
Financial capacity grows through networks, mentorship, and shared learning. Each workshop, roadshow, or conference is a chance to exchange strategies, celebrate progress, and strengthen one another.
We have seen the resilience of Indigenous communities firsthand. From recovering after challenges to preparing for the future, the greatest strength is found in coming together and learning from each other.
How AFOA BC Puts This Into Action
This fall, AFOA BC is turning these reasons into real opportunities through two major events:
2025/2026 Audit Prep Roadshow – September & October 2025 | In-person workshops across BC
This one-day, hands-on seminar helps finance and administration professionals:
- Prepare for and manage audits from start to finish.
- Understand new reporting requirements from Indigenous Services Canada, First Nations Health Authority, and Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
- Access time-saving tools and templates to reduce costs.
- Build a network with peers across the province.
- Exchange insights with peers and strengthen your professional network.
These workshops are practical, accessible, and designed to save communities both time and money. This is knowledge that stays where it matters most.
Learn more about the Audit Prep Workshops at: https://afoabc.org/audit-prep-workshops-2025-26/
2025 Indigenous Financial Management Conference
December 2–4, 2025 | Marriott Pinnacle Hotel, Vancouver BC
This year’s conference will focus on the financial and organizational impacts of crises.
From natural disasters to health emergencies to political uncertainty. Sessions will explore:
- Emergency planning and disaster recovery
- The opioid crisis
- The effects of political instability
- The importance of insurance education
We’ll also celebrate the strength communities have shown in the face of adversity, sharing inspiring stories of rebuilding and renewal. This is a chance to connect, learn, and leave better prepared to protect both resources and people.
Learn more about the 2025 Indigenous Financial Management Conference at: https://afoabc.org/indigenous-financial-management-2025-conference/
Building Capacity Together
At AFOA BC, our work is meaningful because it gives Indigenous leaders tools they can use right away and the confidence to lead with integrity. We strengthen communities from the inside out by building leadership through professional development and education.
By investing in financial skills today, we prepare for the next audit, the next opportunity, and the future we all want to create together.