I worked with the Central Banks Network for Indigenous Inclusion (CBNII). The CBNII is a group made up of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Reserve Bank of Australia, Federal Reserve (USA) and Bank of Canada. Their aim is to raise awareness of indigenous economic and financial issues.

I was delighted to be included for this two-day symposium that New Zealand was hosting this year. We heard about the barriers and systems that prevent full inclusivity and equality for indigenous and First Nations folk, and made plans to change this.

Though some of the stories were heartbreaking at times, I was left feeling uplifted and inspired by the many indigenous groups around the world, working to create pathways to financial inclusion for people. Whether that be pathways into existing systems or building upon specific routes of their own, that have always been there.

Below is a snapshot from the symposium - we started with a lean timeline showing the different impacts, agreements and organisations that NZ has had.

I must admit, the two-day symposium on financial inclusion intimidated me...

My days are normally spent drawing and imagining, not pouring over financial spreadsheets. Fears came up for me, of whether I would understand what the speakers were going to talk about. So, the days before the conference I was busy memorising acronyms and money jargon.

But I needn't have lost any sleep.

What I was reminded of is that people are just people, everywhere you go.

And I, am also a person. Just like them.

We've all faced challenges, we've all experienced fears, injustices (some more than others...), sadness, joy, success. It reminded me that the work I do is visually translating the words and ideas of people, through me as the filter.

From one person to another.

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