Annual Aboriginal Education Awards handed out

Posted By Ross Romaniuk, Sun Media

Posted 2 months ago

WINNIPEG — Hundreds of Manitoba aboriginals can chalk up their professional, vocational or academic success to hard work, intelligence and determination — and also to the help of businesses that have given them a boost.

Last night, more than 100 First Nations, Metis or Inuit students attending various universities and colleges across the province were given that leg up at the Aboriginal Education Awards, handed out by the Business Council of Manitoba.

From Shirley Jensen in business administration at University College of the North, to Joshua Bray in psychiatric nursing at Brandon University. And from Tania Lerat in aboriginal self-government at Red River College, to Derrick Stewart in the faculty of law at the University of Manitoba.

This ninth annual event saw 128 awards presented to Manitoba post-secondary students, for a total bursary payout of $327,000.

"They come from reserve communities, they come from the countryside, from Brandon, from Dauphin, The Pas, Flin Flon, the city — they come from everywhere. And across every academic discipline, too," Jim Carr, president and CEO of the Business Council, said of the students honoured every year.

"The impact has been remarkable. We have files inches thick, over the years, from award recipients who tell us this has made the difference between staying in school and not being able to stay in school. But as important as the financial award is for them, equally important is the acknowledgement of their accomplishment and the encouragement to continue in school. That's very gratifying, because we truly believe we are encouraging people one at a time."

A $3,000 award goes to every winner attending university, while each college-enrolled recipient receives $1,500. With approximately 130 awards every year, the assistance adds up.

"Our total is something over $3 million, and over 1,000 awards during that time," Carr said of the program, which began in 2001.

Though corporate scholarships for aboriginal post-secondary students are common across Canada, this provincial council's effort is unusual in the way its member firms' donations are matched dollar for dollar by the Manitoba and federal governments.

"I don't know of any other award program that has this partnership between a business council and two levels of government," Carr said, adding it's "the best way that we could make a positive contribution" to aboriginals — encourage their education, and do everything possible to keep those students enrolled.

"Very few drop out. And we're doing our best to track recipients over time. The record is very impressive and very positive," he said.

"We feel, as a council, just so grateful that we are able to make a small difference in these lives."

ross.romaniuk@sunmedia.ca