Indigenous Broker Development Program

IBAS and SGI CANADA ("SGI") have partnered on the launch of a two-year pilot program to support IBAS members in the recruitment, onboarding, and training of property and casualty insurance brokers of First Nations, Métis, or Inuit heritage.

The IBAS Indigenous Broker Development Program (the "Program") reimburses brokerages up to $25,000 in eligible costs and removes barriers to accessing expert resources designed to maximize long-term employment outcomes for Indigenous insurance brokers. IBAS has retained OneHoop Indigenous Advisory Services ("OneHoop"), led by Chair Cadmus Delorme and CEO Thomas Benjoe, to deliver educational support, best practices guidance, as well as strategic counsel.

The Program — with an initial term running April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2027 — represents an important milestone in IBAS's and SGI's shared commitment to responding to Call to Action #92 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Read the announcement by clicking here.

Funding applications for the initial intake open on Monday, June 2, 2025.

Program Stewardship

While SGI has provided core funding for the Program, the Program itself is under the fiduciary oversight of the IBAS board of directors. The board, however, remains at arm's length from all operational decision making, including — but not limited to — those pertaining to application review and fund allocation. The board’s role is solely to ensure responsible financial stewardship and internal accountability.

Additionally, the Program has formed an independent, three-person advisory committee to provide external input and assistance on Program activities. This committee is comprised of:

• Thomas Benjoe, Partner & CEO, OneHoop Indigenous Advisory Services;
• Erica Deschamps, Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion & Indigenous Relations, SGI; and
• Mark Cooper, President & CEO, Prairie Clean Energy & Facilitator, IBAS Leaders Forum.

National Support

In addition to its core investment from SGI, the Program is also receiving support from the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada.

About the Logo

To commemorate the launch of the Program, the iconic Bipper logo has been reimagined by Justine ‘Tini’ Stillborn, a visual artist and brand advisor with OneHoop. This unique design incorporates a star blanket, which holds deep cultural, historical, and ceremonial significance among many Indigenous Peoples as a symbol of honour and healing. While the emblem is intended to be displayed on its own, it also can appear enclosed in a circle — representing unity as well as the interconnectedness of the communities in which IBAS members serve and operate.

Information Sessions

To assist IBAS members in both understanding the details of this innovative Program and in preparing an application for funding, IBAS is now offering one-on-one information sessions to interested brokerages. To schedule a remote or in-person meeting, please e-mail ibdp@ibas.ca. 

Contact

Should you have questions about the Program, please e-mail ibdp@ibas.ca. This Program is made possible exclusively through the investment and proud partnership of: