VICTORIA,
July 25, 2008 – BMO Financial Group’s support
of the North American Indigenous Games kicks into high gear as more
than 40 BMO Bank of Montreal employees from Vancouver Island prepare
to volunteer at the Games.
The Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games will take place from
August 3 to 10 in the Duncan area of Vancouver Island. This international
celebration of youth, sport and culture, featuring 15 sport competitions
and a large-scale cultural festival, will showcase elite Indigenous athletes
and artists from across Canada and the United States.
As a silver level sponsor,
BMO Bank of Montreal is pleased to support three sports in the Games – archery, badminton and Canada’s
official national summer sport, lacrosse.
“With thousands of athletes and cultural performers, the North
American Indigenous Games event should prove to be an exciting time for
volunteers and spectators and a major boost to the local economy,” said
Mike Suzuki, Vice President, Vancouver Island, BMO Bank of Montreal. “We
are very pleased to lend our support and cheer on the athletes.”
Aboriginal Banking at BMO Bank of Montreal was created in 1992 to contribute
to the self-sufficiency of Aboriginal peoples across Canada. Today the
Bank continues its work in building mutually beneficial relationships
with Aboriginal communities, businesses and individuals.
“Our relationships with Aboriginal peoples go beyond business,” says
Doug Bourque, Director of Aboriginal Banking for BMO in British Columbia. “We
are very supportive of arts and cultural events and organizations as
well as providing Aboriginal scholarships at many universities and colleges
in BC and across Canada.”
BMO has three full service branches located on First Nations territories
in BC - Tsahaheh Branch (Tseshaht First Nation), Park Royal Branch in
West Vancouver (Squamish Nation) and Westbank Branch in the Okanagan
(Westbank First Nation).
About BMO Financial Group
Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly
diversified North American financial services organization. In 2007,
BMO contributed $50.4 million in corporate donations, sponsorships
and events, supporting communities and thousands of charities and not-for-profit
organizations across Canada. In British Columbia and Yukon Division,
BMO has over 3,000 employees and serves customers from 142 BMO Bank
of Montreal branches, six BMO Nesbitt Burns offices and five BMO Harris
Private Banking offices.
- 30 -
|
