First Nations Bank of Canada: Interview with Mr. Keith Martell Chair Of The Board of Directors

Abstract

On December 9, 1996, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) and TD Bank officially launched the First Nations Bank of Canada. The First Nations Bank of Canada is a schedule II chartered bank that serves Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal customers throughout Canada. It is the first such bank of its kind in North America, conceived, packaged and developed by Aboriginal People for Aboriginal People. Former Chief Blaine Favel, FSIN stated at the grand opening “the bank is one of many important steps towards Aboriginal people's economic self sufficiency and political self determination ... the Indian economy alone in Canada represents billions of dollars and we are aggressively seeking customers for the First Nations Bank.” Mr. Keith Martell is the Chair of the Board of Directors of the First Nations Bank of Canada. A member of the Waterhen Lake First Nation, Keith completed his Commerce degree at the University of Saskatchewan, obtained his CA designation and worked with the chartered accounting firm KPMG for 10 years before joining FSIN in 1995.