As an organization, First West Credit Union actively strives to promote  equity, inclusion, and diversity. In 2021, the company created the First West Indigenous Scholarship and Bursary program.

Our foundational values, better known as our Big Ideals – to succeed together, act local, create remarkable experiences and lead with courage – demand that we, as an organization, actively strive for equity, inclusion, and diversity. The kind of systemic change we want to be part of can only be realized through a deliberate, long-term investment in relationship building backed by meaningful action. We also believe that community-based organizations like First West have an opportunity to contribute to creating a more inclusive and diverse future for everyone.

 

Launi Skinner
Chief Executive Officer
First West Credit Union

In alignment with this commitment, First West Credit Union has developed partnerships with local universities to encourage members of underrepresented groups to pursue an education. First West recently established two awards for Indigenous students at UFV.

First West Credit Union Launi Skinner Indigenous Annual Scholarship

Two $1,500 scholarships, established in honour of Launi Skinner, will be awarded annually to outstanding Indigenous students enrolled in the Bachelor of Business Administration program at UFV. Launi Skinner is the CEO of First West Credit Union. She has spearheaded First West’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity, as well as increasing educational opportunities and success for Indigenous students.

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First West Credit Union Annual Bursary

A $1,000 annual bursary will be awarded annually to an Indigenous student enrolled in a human resources or finance program within the Faculty of Professional Studies.

“The promotion of equity, diversity, and inclusion is of the utmost importance to the University of the Fraser Valley, and First West Credit Union shares those same values. These new scholarships and the bursary from First West will help to enable our Indigenous students to take advantage of educational opportunities and grow into leaders within our communities. We thank the First West Credit Union for its dedication to uplifting our Indigenous students.”

Dr. Christophe Schinckus
Dean, Faculty of Professional Studies
University of the Fraser Valley

To establish your own named award, or to contribute to an existing award, please contact us at giving@ufv.ca