Building bridges between all communities
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/272116
MARCH 2014 • PAGE 13 Peace Hills Trust was founded in October, 1981. It was created with the vision of relevant and meaningful financial services to First Nations across Canada. Fast forward 33 years and it would appear that this vision has come to fruition. Peace Hills Trust is the largest First Nation owned Trust company in North America. With over $1 Billion in assets under management and over $2.5 Billion in financing to First Nations customers across Canada, they have shown their capacity to meet the needs of First Nation as the industry leader. Peace Hills Trust offers a full range of financial and retail banking to the general public. They also offer niche products for First Nation communities and business tailored products to suit the complexities of each client as needed. Products such as project financing, infrastructure, commercial loans and mortgages are just a few of these custom tailored offerings. Peace Hills Trust has financed projects on and off reserve for things such as multi- residential subdivisions, condo developments, industrial and office complexes, shopping malls, hotels, land servicing, and raw land development. They have also financed many types of infrastructure projects like roads, water & sewer projects, and water treatment plants. They have customized commercial loans & mortgage packages built right for you. If you are looking for financing for your business, look no further than Peace Hills Trust. They can help you find the right solution that makes sense. Peace Hills Trust has a Trust Services department with peace of mind solutions. Their highly dedicated team of experienced Trust professionals is 100% dedicated to the successful administration of First Nation Trusts. The company mission and focus is to partner with their clients on a long term basis and help them achieve their financial goals. They are committed to working with First Nations to help guide them through the complex issues involved with administering Trust and Trust Agreements. Peace Hills Trust is Canada's paramount First Nation Financial Institute, with over 30 years in the financial industry; they have the experience to create common sense solutions for you. For a customized business experience and personalized service, look no further than Peace Hills Trust. They have 8 Regional offices located across the country to serve you. Peace Hills Trust; they are the business partner you want. To find a listing of Peace Hills Trust regional offices, please go to www.peacehills. com or call toll free 1-800-661-6549. PEACE HILLS TRUST, YOUR FINANCIAL PARTNER IN BUSINESS Financial barriers removed for those underrepresented in post-secondary institution Chelsea Grove is a single mom with a seven year-old son who is pursuing her dream of attending The University of Winnipeg – and she says she could not have done it without the financial support she received from UWinnipeg's unique Opportunity Fund. She received a fast-track bursary of $3,700 this year to assist her in her studies. The 29 year-old was working in a technical position after obtaining a college diploma in civil engineering. "It was a good job but it did not use my social strengths, and I realized I need to be working directly with people." Now Grove is in her 2nd year studying Criminal Justice and Psychology and volunteering with a literacy program through the Elizabeth Fry Society. "I love working with women and hope this will lead me to a people-oriented career." The Opportunity Fund relies on private donations to support students like Grove – with a focus on supporting Indigenous, new immigrant and refugee students, as well as inner city youth. To date, UWinnipeg has been able to distribute 1,443 Opportunity Fund fast- track bursaries, and more than 200 of those students have now graduated. In addition to fast-track bursaries, the fund provides tuition credits to inner city children as young as grade four to encourage them to "earn as they learn". And most recently, UWinnipeg pioneered a program providing tuition waivers to youth leaving the child welfare system so they may attend university, a model that is now being replicated at other post-secondary institutions across Manitoba and Canada. "We believe that anyone with a thirst to learn should be given the opportunity to earn a diploma or a degree, and in partnership with the private sector, we are removing financial barriers that can prevent individuals from followingtheirdreams,"saidDr.LloydAxworthy, President and Vice-Chancellor, UWinnipeg. "This benefits students like Chelsea, but it also benefits all of us as we tap into the rich pool of diverse talent in our community." Established in 2007, UWinnipeg's Opportunity Fund has now raised just over $ 3 million in donations . A signature annual event – the I Heart UWinnipeg Dinner – generously supports the Opportunity Fund. It will be held on May 21, 2014. OPPRTUNITY FUND SUPPORTS NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS Chelsea Grove