Friendly Faces of Vision: Colinda Blondin

"The sense of community here is something special.

I love getting out and volunteering on behalf of Vision and meeting people throughout the communities."

Starting over somewhere new is never easy. New faces, a new way of life and the uncertainty that comes with the unknown.

Driven by a desire for change, Colinda Blondin made her way from the Northwest Territories to the small hamlet of La Glace in northern Alberta.

Learn more about Colinda's journey from government work to becoming a Member Service Representative at Vision, what she's come to love about a rural credit union and how community has helped turn an unfamiliar place into something that feels like home.

My story is deeply rooted in the North. I worked in government up in the Northwest Territories, where my days ranged from organizing Dene games and coaching to coordinating regional emergency services across seven communities.

Eventually, I knew I wanted a change in a big way. In March 2026, I packed up and moved to La Glace.

While I was job hunting, I came across an ad for a position at Vision. That's how I ended up joining the team, a decision I haven't regretted for a moment.

I've been an MSR with Vision for about six months now. My day-to-day is helping members navigate their everyday banking, processing transactions and answering their questions.

I'm still finding my feet in a new industry, but the ladies at the branch have made that easy. They've been incredible to work alongside, patient and generous with their time as I learn the ropes.

The sense of community here is something special. I love getting out and volunteering on behalf of Vision and meeting people throughout the communities.

It's a connection you can't compare to anything else. You really have to live here and work with these people to understand it.

Helping folks you live alongside and see almost every day, hearing their stories, it's not just a way of working. It's a way of life, and I appreciate that.

Honestly, I'm still discovering it. I'm getting used to farm life, exploring the area and finding new places. The rodeos and horse races have been such a fun surprise, and I love watching them.

For me, it comes back to the people. Between my coworkers and the friendly faces around La Glace, I've felt welcome from the start.

So, to this community, masỉ cho, thank you in my language.