Native Women’s Association of Canada and Indspire Announce New Partnership to Support Indigenous Women Pursuing Post-Secondary Education
OHSWEKEN, ON, September 25, 2026 —
Indspire and the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) are proud to announce a new partnership that will expand educational opportunities for Indigenous women across Canada through both immediate and long-term financial support.
The partnership includes the establishment of two new awards through Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures (BBF) program: the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC)–Helen Bassett Commemorative Student Award and the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC)–Michael Melancon-Koffend Student Award.
Together, these initiatives honour the legacies of two individuals whose contributions helped advance Indigenous rights, advocacy, and community well-being, while investing in future generations of Indigenous women pursuing post-secondary education.
Through a four-year commitment, the Helen Bassett Commemorative Student Award will provide financial support to Indigenous women from the North, East, South, and West regions of Canada. The award will support four students annually through the 2029–2030 academic year, helping remove financial barriers and create pathways to educational success.
NWAC established the Michael Melancon-Koffend Student Award Endowment Fund through a contribution of $749,773. The endowed fund will provide support to Indigenous women students in perpetuity, ensuring future generations continue to benefit from educational opportunities and financial assistance. The award is expected to support approximately ten students annually through a combination of endowment income and matching funds.
“We are honoured to partner with the Native Women’s Association of Canada to administer the Michael Melancon-Koffend Student and Helen Bassett Awards,” said Jocelyn Formsma, President & CEO of Indspire. “These awards will help Indigenous women learners access education, achieve their goals, and strengthen their communities. By establishing an endowed fund, we are ensuring that this opportunity will continue to empower Indigenous learners for years to come.”
The awards will be administered through Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures program, Canada’s largest Indigenous-led post-secondary education funding initiative. Both awards are open to Indigenous women pursuing post-secondary education in Canada and will be awarded based primarily on demonstrated financial need, while also recognizing academic achievement and community involvement.
Since its inception, Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures program has provided financial support to tens of thousands of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students, helping remove barriers to education and empowering Indigenous learners to achieve their highest potential.
About Indspire
Indspire is an Indigenous national charity that celebrates Indigenous excellence and invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada. With the support of its funding partners, Indspire provides financial awards, delivers programs and shares resources so that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students will achieve their highest potential. In 2024–25, Indspire provided more than $31.6 million through over 8,800 bursaries and scholarships to First Nations, Inuit and Métis students across Canada.
About the Native Women’s Association of Canada
The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is a national Indigenous organization representing the political voices of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis women and girls in all their diversity. Through advocacy, policy development, research, and programming, NWAC works to advance the well-being and rights of Indigenous women and their families while supporting the restoration of Indigenous cultures, traditions, and leadership.
