TORONTO, May 14, 2013 /CNW/ - RBC is pleased to announce that Phil
Fontaine, former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN),
has been appointed to a second three-year term as Special Advisor to
RBC. Fontaine will continue to support RBC's business development
priorities, provide advice and counsel on business matters affecting
Aboriginal Peoples and act as a representative in support of
sponsorships and donations.
"Over the past three years, Phil Fontaine has been instrumental in
helping RBC deepen its relationship with Aboriginal communities," said
Chinyere Eni, national director, Aboriginal Markets, RBC. "Recognizing
Aboriginal rights and respecting cultural differences makes good
business sense and we are optimistic that, with Phil's guidance, our
relationship will continue to grow stronger and stronger."
Many Aboriginal communities are prospering through land claim
settlements and small business growth, as well as energy and resource
development. This vital partnership will help them maximize their
benefit from these opportunities. RBC will work closely with Fontaine
to affect positive change and support Aboriginal participation in
business ventures that will improve local economies and the future
development of Canada.
"There are more major projects happening on Aboriginal land in the
private sector and resource industry than ever before. With RBC's
support, Aboriginal communities can capitalize on these projects at the
early stages of business development," said Phil Fontaine, special
advisor, RBC. "This will not only help build strong Aboriginal
economies, but also respectful, reciprocal and long-term professional
relationships. I am proud to be a part of this process."
RBC is committed to helping Aboriginal communities realize their goals
by improving access to banking and capital, contributing to community
and social development, providing employment, training and education,
and supporting procurement opportunities.
Since Fontaine began his first term as special advisor in September
2009, he has been involved in many of RBC's key corporate citizenship
and sponsorship initiatives, including the RBC Blue Water Project and
the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Fontaine was recently appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada for
his contributions on behalf of First Nations and his involvement in the
resolution of claims arising from the legacy of Indian residential
schools.
About RBC's Commitment to Community and Sustainability
Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) and its subsidiaries operate
under the master brand name RBC. We employ approximately 80,000 full-
and part-time employees who serve more than 15 million personal,
business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in
Canada, the U.S. and 49 other countries. RBC is recognized among the
world's financial, social and environmental leaders and is listed on
the 2012 - 2013 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, the DJSI North
American Index, the Jantzi Social Index and the FTSE4Good Index. RBC is
one of Canada's Greenest Employers, one of Canada's 50 Most Socially
Responsible Corporations and among the Global 100 Most Sustainable
Corporations in the World. Learn more at www.rbc.com/community-sustainability.
RBC supports a broad range of community initiatives through donations,
sponsorships and employee volunteer activities. In 2012, we contributed
more than $95 million to causes worldwide, including donations and
community investments of more than $64 million and $31 million in
sponsorships.
SOURCE: RBC
