Indspire Announces New Endowment Funding for Indigenous Post-Secondary Students
Fund made possible through the generosity of the Cree Nation Government
March 3, 2022.
Indspire is pleased to announce the creation of a new scholarship with the Cree Nation Government: The Chief Billy Diamond Scholarship, which will provide additional support for Indigenous post-secondary students.
The Chief Billy Diamond Scholarship is an endowment fund totaling $150,000.00 which will be distributed in perpetuity to bachelors or masters students enrolled in business, commerce, management or leadership programs.
Indspire will manage and distribute the scholarship through its Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards program.
Mike DeGagné, President & CEO of Indspire, said: “This new scholarship is a living legacy, a tangible testament to the many contributions which Grand Chief Billy Diamond made to advance the rights and interests of Indigenous people across the country. For First Nations, Inuit, and Métis business students who will benefit from this scholarship, it represents a significant new opportunity to pursue their dreams through education.”
Grand Chief Billy Diamond, politician, businessman (born on May 17, 1949 in Rupert House [now Cree Nation of Waskaganish], QC); died on 30 September 2010 in Waskaganish. A leading figure in Indigenous politics in Québec and internationally, he successfully led negotiations and was a signatory to the 1975 James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA). He was also Chairman of the Cree School Board and President of Air Creebec. From 1980-83, Diamond was involved in Canadian Constitutional negotiations, and successfully fought for the inclusion of sections 25 and 35, which enshrine Indigenous rights.
The next application deadline for the bursaries is August 1, 2022. Those interested should apply for the bursaries directly through the Indspire website.
About Indspire
Indspire is an Indigenous national charity that 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 2020-2021, Indspire provided more than $20 million through 6,245 bursaries and scholarships to First Nations, Inuit and Métis students across Canada.
About Cree Nation Government
The Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) / Cree Nation Government represent the interests of 20,000 Crees/Eeyouch in eastern James Bay and south-eastern Hudson Bay, Quebec. The Eeyouch live in 11 communities and have been collectively organized for 48 years.
For more information, please contact:
Brandon Meawasige
Director, Communications and Marketing
bmeawasige@indspire.ca
647-925-0611
