June 7, 2010

New program at the Coady Institute focuses on supporting Indigenous women leaders

Go to the IWCL homepage: www.iwomenlead.ca

·         Program designed to develop the leadership potential of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit women who are involved in economic and social development of their communities
·         $4 million investment is part of Imperial Oil's focus in supporting Aboriginal community projects.  This initiative is also part of ExxonMobil’s Women’s Economic Opportunity Initiative, which has invested more than $30 million in programs for women since 2005 

The Coady International Institute launched the Indigenous Women in Community Leadership program at the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa on June 7th. Pictured at the event are StFX University President Dr. Sean Riley, Imperial Oil President and CEO Bruce March, filmmaker Catherine Martin, Governor General Michaëlle Jean, National Inuit Leader Mary Simon, Coady Institute Director and StFx Vice President Mary Coyle, President of ExxonMobil Canada Glenn Scott and Krystyna Hoeg, board member of Imperial Oil Ltd.

ANTIGONISH, Nova Scotia – The Coady International Institute today announced the launch of an innovative national community leadership program for Canadian Indigenous women with a $4 million investment from the Imperial Oil and ExxonMobil Foundations.
 
The goal of the Indigenous Women in Community Leadership (IWCL) program is to engage the next generation of Aboriginal women leaders and provide them with practical leadership skills and experience so that they can promote community development from within.
 
“Women’s leadership is a priority focus of the Coady Institute,” said Mary Coyle, director of the Coady International Institute. “We see this as an exciting opportunity to develop the next generation of Canadian Indigenous women leaders, build networks of support and inspiration, and highlight the work Aboriginal communities are already doing to become self-reliant.”
 
The program will be further developed in close consultation with Indigenous women leaders and communities and will incorporate mentorships between established and emerging leaders. During the initial phase, the Coady Institute will document examples of successful Aboriginal community development stories across Canada. These stories will provide the basis for the new program’s curriculum, which will begin classes in the spring of 2011. Participants will attend a three-week, campus-based leadership preparation program followed by a three-month community placement.
 
Susan Swan, acting president of the Imperial Oil Foundation, said, “The Coady Institute’s approach fits well with Imperial’s goal to invest in education and build strong communities. We hope this program will have a profound and enduring effect on Aboriginal community development in Canada.”
 
“This program holds enormous promise to help develop local Indigenous women’s capabilities to contribute to broader economic growth,” added Lorie Jackson, director of ExxonMobil’s Women’s Economic Opportunity Initiative.  “Coady’s innovative program design builds on a strong foundation of proven curriculum and case studies, and leverages the power of mentoring between established and emerging leaders to support economic and social development in Indigenous communities throughout Canada.”   
 
 
About Coady International Institute
The Coady International Institute at St. Francis Xavier Unversity is a unique, world class leader in community-based, citizen-driven development education. For over 50 years the Coady Institute has ignited leadership in people who are making a genuine and sustainable difference in the world. Through innovative and effective adult education approaches, the Institute provides community leaders with the knowledge and practical tools needed to bring about the change they want for themselves. Today, over 5,000 Coady graduates and partners are working with millions of people in 130 countries to build a fair, prosperous and secure world, one community at a time.
 
About Imperial Oil
Imperial Oil and the Imperial Oil Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Imperial Oil in Canada, have been contributing to Canadian communities for 130 years.  Our goal is to be an active member of the community and to build a life-long learning system in Canada that ranks among the best in the world.  In 2009,
Imperial Oil contributed more than $22 million to various programs across Canada. The company emphasizes investment in education of math and sciences, environment, and civic and community programs where we have employees or business operations.  Additional information on Imperial's corporate citizenship initiatives is available at www.imperialoil.ca.
 
About ExxonMobil
Exxon Mobil Corporation and ExxonMobil Foundation, the primary philanthropic arm of Exxon Mobil Corporation in the United States, engage in a range of philanthropic activities that advance education, health, women’s economic leadership and public policy in the communities where ExxonMobil has significant operations. In the United States, ExxonMobil supports initiatives to improve math and science education at the K-12 and higher education levels. Globally, ExxonMobil provides funding to help women fulfill their economic potential and combat malaria and other infectious diseases in developing countries. Additional information on ExxonMobil's community partnerships and contributions programs is available at www.exxonmobil.com/community.