TD Bank Group (TD) launches the TD Scholarship for Indigenous Peoples, a new scholarship program tailored specifically for students from the Indigenous community, managed by AFOA Canada. TD understands the unique challenges and systemic barriers we face as Indigenous Peoples. Which is why we have worked closely with TD to customize a scholarship program focused on the needs of students from the Indigenous community. 

"It's important that students from Indigenous communities have equitable access to education. The TD Scholarship for Indigenous Peoples aims to help provide students from Indigenous communities with the financial freedom and stability to explore the benefit of a post-secondary education and work education. I am thrilled to see this program launch and look forward to continuing our relationship with AFOA Canada." – Doris Bear, Vice President, Indigenous Banking, TD Bank Group 

The scholarship program will provide 25 successful applicants with $15k annually (with a maximum of $60k across 4 years) to be put towards tuition costs and living expenses for the duration of their studies. Additionally, recipients will be offered an internship opportunity with TD to gain valuable work experience aligned to their career aspirations. Internship opportunities will be available for students throughout their time as a recipient. 

“The new TD Scholarship program will be transformational in the lives of the Indigenous students” says Terry Goodtrack, President and CEO, AFOA Canada. “It will set them up for success in achieving their academic goals and chosen career path” 

Scholarships are available for First Nations, Métis and Inuit who are members / citizens of a First Nation, Métis or Inuit community. You must be a permanent resident of Canada and have applied for or are currently enrolled in a full-time, minimum 2-year program with an approved post-secondary institution in Canada. 

Applications will open Friday, November 18, 2022, at 4:30pm ET, and must be submitted by no later than January 16, 2023, at 5:00pm ET. For complete information about the program, please visit: www.afoa.ca/td. 

Background: 

AFOA Canada 

AFOA Canada, founded in 1999, strives towards their mandate to help Indigenous Peoples better manage and govern their communities and organizations through a focus on enhancing management, finance and 

governance practices and skills. It is the only organization in Canada that focuses on the capacity development and day-to-day needs of those Indigenous professionals who are working in all areas of management, finance, band administration, leadership, and program management—We are Building a Community of Professionals. 

TD Bank Group 

At TD, we recognize there is more work to be done on our collective journey towards Truth and Reconciliation. Supporting community initiatives that promote a connection to the land, enhance financial education, and foster a sense of belonging is important. We believe society is stronger when we work together and that we can help be a catalyst for dialogue to bring people, communities, and cultures together. 

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September 21 is World Alzheimer’s Awareness Day.

According to the most recent data available, more than 402,000 seniors are living with dementia in Canada.

Firearms and other weapons can be found in households across the country. In most situations, their presence creates no problems for responsible gun owners and others in the household. However, firearms can pose a significant risk if someone in the home has Alzheimer’s or another dementia.

When there is a diagnosis of dementia, it can be difficult to have conversations regarding changes to lifestyle and living conditions. Following a dementia diagnosis, it is common for considerations to be made regarding legal, financial, personal care, and driving. However, the use of firearms and other recreational weapons (hunting knives, bows, fishing tools, fillet knives, etc.) should also be a part of planning for the future.

Giving up a firearms license may be hard for some people, especially those who live in rural areas and farms, and those licensed for occupational, recreational or sporting gun use. However, the effects of dementia can make continuing licensing and gun ownership dangerous for the person with dementia and others around them.

The progression of dementia means that the person living with dementia has an illness that affects their brain in ways that can result in:

– Poor decision making
– Distorted perception
– Forgetfulness
– Psychosis: delusions; hallucinations
– Personality changes
– Disinhibited behavior

Although other people may be aware of these changes, it is possible that the person living with dementia has limited insight into these problems. A person living with dementia risks injuring themselves or others.

Discussing the risks soon after diagnosis can provide an opportunity for the person living with dementia to identify their wishes for safety planning and plans for their belongings (firearms, firearms license and other recreational weapons).
Inform the person living with dementia of the need to discuss this with them, and ask them to invite others to join in the conversation (friends, family, hunting colleagues, professional care partners, etc.). Select a place and a time with the person living with dementia and focus on the facts and options available.

When you’ve reached the time to take away their car keys – that’s also a good time to remove firearms from the home.

“Together in Safety”, a partnership between Firearms Safety Education Services of Ontario, and the Chief Firearms Officer, are working with the Alzheimer Society of Ontario to bring awareness of the risk of firearms and dementia.

It’s time to have the conversation.

For more, read the Dementia & Firearms section at www.togetherinsafety.ca.

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SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE

Suicide is preventable and EVERYONE can play a role in Suicide Prevention.
People who experience suicidal thoughts and feelings are suffering from tremendous emotional pain. People who have died by suicide typically had overwhelming feelings of hopelessness, despair, and helplessness. It’s not a moral weakness or a character flaw. People who consider suicide feel as though their pain will never end, and that suicide is the only way to stop the suffering. This is where YOU can help. First by recognizing the signs of suicide and second, by showing them there are resources available to anyone who needs help.

KNOWING IS THE START OF PREVENTION

The following are not always communicated directly or outwardly but are signs of suicide;

• Threatening to hurt or kill themselves or talking of wanting to hurt or kill themselves.
• Looking for ways to kill themselves by seeking access to firearms, pills or other means.
• Having or gaining access to lethal means.
• Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide when these actions are out of the ordinary.
• Increased substance abuse, periods of depression or sad moods, anxiety, agitation.
• Withdrawal from family, friends and society, dramatic mood changes.
• Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities especially when this is out of the norm.
• Giving away prized possessions or seeking long-term care for pets.

If you recognize any of these behaviors in someone you know or love, it may be time to act. There are a lot of resources and organizations out there to help people through troubling times.

STATISTICS BEHIND THE STORY

Many Canadians might be surprised to learn that the majority of firearm deaths are death by suicide. In Ontario, more than 67% of all firearms deaths are death by suicide, and, suicide deaths by firearms predominantly impact older men living in rural areas. Since 2000, men have accounted for 96% of suicides by firearm. If signs of suicide risk are present, and a firearm is in the home, it is best to have firearms stored at an alternate location. In Canada, men have a suicide rate three times higher than women. Why? We have socialized men to be strong, stoic and self-reliant; showing emotion is a sign of weakness. Further, men are underserved by our traditional health and social service sectors. Men are dying in alarming numbers, all around us, alone. How can we change this reality? WITH AWARENESS!!!

THERE IS HELP

Buddy Up, a part of the Centre for Suicide Prevention, is a fantastic organization which focuses on helping men get through tough, intense life situations. This is a men’s suicide prevention campaign: a call to action for men, by men, to drive authentic conversation amongst men and their buddies. By participating in the Buddy Up campaign year-round, and completing activities that promote connection and wellbeing, this is a great exercise in mental wellness. This IS suicide prevention! If you or someone you know needs the help of Buddy Up, go to www.buddyup.ca and get a conversation started. It could save a life… even yours.

To find out more about the Firearm Safety Education Service of Ontario, go to
www.fseso.org. Remember everyone can play a part in firearm safety.

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