EmpoweringU

"The continuous process of balancing income, saving, investing and spending to achieve one's life goals (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual) over the life cycle, and to maintain a state of wellness for individuals, family and community (Mullholland and Brascoupé 2017)."

From an Indigenous perspective, managing money is about more than just numbers; it's about ensuring that financial decisions support the well-being of both the individual and the community today and in the future. This holistic approach highlights how all aspects of life are interconnected, demonstrating that good financial health is essential for overall well-being and success.
 

In collaboration with SEED, the Indigenous Student Centre will deliver Money Management Training (MMT) workshops aimed at enhancing financial literacy and empowerment among UM students. These workshops are structured to address the stages of financial literacy from foundational knowledge to advanced financial planning.

Money Management Training Overview:

• Money Choices: Understanding needs vs. wants, setting financial priorities
• Asset Building: Techniques for asset mapping and goal setting
• Community Economic Development: Impact of spending in the local economy
• Budgeting: Skills for creating and maintaining a budget
• Financial Services: Overview of available financial services and their access
• Credit: Insights into obtaining and managing credit effectively
• Debt: Strategies for managing and repaying debt
• And more to come! 

Through our partnership with SEED Inc., these workshops are designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for managing their financial present and future confidently. Workshops are offered in a hybrid format to all UM students, with priority seating at in-person events reserved for Indigenous students, especially when space is limited.

The tools, tips, and strategies that you will gain during these workshops will help you begin or continue on your path to developing financially smart habits.

At each workshop, those who attend will be entered to win a $25 gift card (winner will be given some options).

Students who attend two financial wellness workshops/events per term or three workshops/events in the Winter term will be entered into a grand prize draw at the end of the year to win a brand new laptop! Start getting your ballots now with this one. 

Workshops are open to current UM students studying at any campus. For workshops or events with limited space, preference will be given to Indigenous students.

• Financial Aid and Awards 
• Emergency Loans 
• UM Food Bank
• Budget Planner 
• Managing your money 
• Financial health and wealth 

Visit the Indigenous Events Calendar for upcoming workshop details.

“Financial Wellness programming is important for Indigenous people because it will help with your money management skills.  As someone who has lived on the First Nations community, I know the financial struggle of living day to day with little money.  EmpoweringU is teaching me about how to manage and monitor my money”.

“The most impactful thing about the EmpoweringU program is having very supportive staff and mentors who genuinely cared about you, and they were always willing to help in any way.”

“I was scared to file taxes so I haven’t. The program coordinator encouraged me to attend a tax filing clinic. I owed some money but the best part was I now get benefits that I didn’t before because I hadn’t filed my taxes.”