Student Success Stories
Hear from students, in their own words, how our supporters are helping them realize their educational dreams.
Jenna Ganske
I am currently in the process of undertaking my Masters through Athabasca University to better myself and my public health and Indigenous health knowledge and competencies. Through the Health Studies program with a leadership and teaching focus, I am hoping to utilize the skills I will hopefully gain in order to pursue what I am truly passionate about in working with our current and changing healthcare system.
David Jr Watsko
My name is David Jr Watsko, I am from Grise Fiord, Nunavut. The smallest and most northern community in Canada. I applied to the Environmental Technology Program at Nunavut Arctic College to further my education in the environment field. I grew up going out on the land and this program teaches a lot about the scientific aspect of our land. “Nunavut” meaning our land in Inuktitut, inspires me to make the best of every experience in and out of this program.
Taea Rattlesnake
I am currently in my first year at St Lawrence College in Brockville, Ontario, studying Musical Theatre Performance. The program has an option that allows students to either stay for the full three years at SLC, or to start with two years at SLC and finish the program with two years at Queen’s University in Kingston to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Theatre. It is a hands-on, conservatory style program that requires intensive training and long hours. This is exactly the kind of training that I need to succeed in my line of work, and I am so incredibly grateful to be here.
Juscenta Haligowski
I would like to extend my immense gratitude to you for the bursary I have received. I truly appreciate these funds and am looking forward to utilizing them towards my education. I am 20 years old and currently going into my fifth semester in the joint Creative Communications program with University of Winnipeg and Red River College.
Joshua Penner
Dear Sponsor of the Aecon Group Indigenous Award, I am ever grateful for the award I received from your company. I am Joshua Penner, an 18-year-old recent graduate of MacGregor Collegiate Institute in MacGregor, Manitoba, attending the University of Manitoba. I am in the first year of the Asper School of Business, which is located on the campus of UofM and attempting to achieve a four-year bachelor of commerce degree.
Trisha Caplin
I am a full time, working, single Mom of 5 beautiful young girls ages 1, 2, 4, 7, and 12. I am also studying at McGill University doing a Master of Arts program. As you could probably imagine, life is extremely busy and expensive with all of my little munchkins.
Jacqueline Porter
My name is Jacqueline, and I am a 2nd year student at McMaster University. I am doing a combined degree of Indigenous Studies and Anthropology. Indigenous culture and history is my passion and this degree will help me gain the skills needed to further advance me in my career in Archaeology.
Connor Dent
My name is Connor Dent, I am a Treaty Three Métis citizen from Fort Frances Ontario. I have successfully attended my first year of study at Sir Sandford Fleming College for Fish and Wildlife Technician. For both Fall and Winter semesters I have attained Academic Achievement recognition from the Dean/Principal of the Fleming School of Environmental & Natural Resource Sciences for high GPA.
Deidra Boudreau
I want to thank you for the Walmart Canada Indigenous Bursary. Without it, I would not be able to have made my rent for the rest of the semester. I am in my first year at Grant MacEwan University and majoring in mental health and addictions, which I plan to use as a registered Social Worker. I am also involved in volunteer work with Homeward Trust, participating in their homeless count walks and getting surveys from the inner-city demographic.
Joleen Iron Shirt
My name is Joleen Iron Shirt and I am 25 years old, I currently live on Piikani Nation and I’d like to take this time to give an enormous thanks to the Keyera Indigenous Student Bursary. Words cannot describe the gratitude I have, to be supported as well as given the opportunity to further my education towards my career goal.
Damian Hoffmann
My name is Damian Hoffmann, and I am so very grateful that I have been chosen for this award. I am originally from Hay River, Northwest Territories and I am now in Edmonton, Alberta studying to obtain my Bachelor of Commerce degree at the MacEwan University. I am technically a second-year student at MacEwan University, I started out with the Bachelor of Science program for my first year until I realized it is not something I see my pursuing in the future.
Cheyenne Kayseas
I would like to say ‘Thank You!’ for giving me the opportunity of being a successful recipient of your bursary. My name is Cheyenne Kayseas, I am a 29 years old Indigenous woman from Fishing Lake First Nation in Saskatchewan. I am currently in my second year of university enrolled in the Bachelor of Indigenous Education through a partnership between the University of Regina and First Nations University of Canada. I am dedicated to furthering my education so that I can become a successful Indigenous educator.
Owen Lamb
My name is Owen Lamb, I am originally from North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Currently I am enrolled in my final year of a business management degree with a major in economics at the University of Alberta Augustana. Augustana is a satellite campus located in Camrose, Alberta, by choosing this institution I was able to continue pursuing my education while also playing hockey competitively.
Allie Grace Woodward
I am writing to thank you for selecting me as the recipient for this Award. I feel honored and am so very grateful for this wonderful financial support which will assist me as I study to become a nurse. My name is Allie Grace Woodward and I grew up in Newfoundland and Labrador, in a tiny fishing village called North Boat Harbour.
Blake Rumbolt
It is with humble appreciation I write to thank you for the generous scholarship that you have awarded me. As I currently work towards the completion of my educational goals, it is with your generous help that my career aspirations are becoming so much more achievable. I am studying Chemical Process Engineering Technology at the College of the North Atlantic.
Emma Hines
I would like to take this time once again to thank you for your generosity with the sponsorship of the Indspire scholarship program. I have just completed my third year of studies at Laurier University and through your generosity, I was able to focus solely on my studies in my double degree program of Financial Math and BBA, without the added worry of needing a part time job during the school year to fund my education.
Holly Reid
I am writing this letter to extend my sincere gratitude as a successful recipient of this funding. My name is Holly Reid, and I am a Métis PhD student at the University of British Columbia. I am in my second year of studies in the Rehabilitation Sciences program. I was born and raised on W̱ SÁNEĆ territory and moved to Vancouver in 2017 to work towards becoming an occupational therapist.
Christian Flaherty-Spence
I have recently started my second year of law school at the University of Ottawa, Common Law Section in the Juris Doctor Program. This award will most definitely assist in my cost of living during the school year. I am currently on education leave and will not be able to provide myself with a steady income. This generous award will provide me with the proper assistance I need so that I can focus on my studies and strive to be the best possible student I can be.
Jana Percival
My name is Jana Percival; I am proud to be a Nisga’a citizen from the beautiful Nass Valley in British Columbia. Out of the four communities within the Nass Valley, I hail from the village of Gitlaxt’aamiks. I come from the house of D’uuk wilps Gitwilnaak’il, and my family tribe is wolf (ksim laxgibuu ńiiy.) I graduated from the College of New Caledonia in Prince George, B.C, in the spring of 2021 and earned my Associate of Arts degree.
Morgan Lecuyer
My name is Morgan Lecuyer, and I am a Métis woman from Stonewall, Manitoba. I attend school at the University of Manitoba, where I am in my first year in the Master of Occupational Therapy program. I am so grateful for your generosity and support. Your donation has enabled me to pursue the dream that I have worked towards for years.
Shannon O’Hara
I am an Inuvialuk wife, and mother of three children from Inuvik, Northwest Territories, and I have been a remote student for the past three years in the Indigenous Governance Degree Program at Yukon University. The support of this scholarship comes at just the right time as I am due to graduate with my degree this June, and this financial support will assist my family to attend my graduation together in person in Whitehorse.
Justin Goodchild
My name is Justin Goodchild, and I’m 29 years old and lived most of my live on the Reserve of Ojibway’s of Onigaming. As of now, I’m entering my second year of my program at Confederation College at Thunder Bay. The program I’m in is a 3-year Electrical Engineering Technology program, which I plan to transfer to Lakehead University after my studies are finished.
Jay Blake
I want to thank you very much for choosing to support me financially. This award will be beneficial for myself to combat the stress of the rising costs of food and rent. I am a second-year student taking a Bachelor of Commerce Degree at Saint Mary’s University, with an intended major in Finance and Economics.
Leigh Staats
I am currently enrolled at the University of Toronto in the Master of Social Work – Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency Program and am completing year 2 of the program. This program has provided me with the opportunity to apply the skills I have learned through an internship assisting with a community intervention in British Columbia.
James Jones
My name is James Jones. I am originally from Forteau Bay, Labrador, but I am currently living in St. John’s, Newfoundland, doing pre-requisite courses such as calculus, physics, and algebra to be eligible to apply for the Engineering program here at Memorial University. I have recently began my second year of university this fall.
Alexis Nanibush-Pamajewong
Your support has made a difference in my situation by allowing me to focus on my schooling instead of financial stress. I am able to buy new materials and supplies for my projects. This is really important to me and supports me in my good grades and focusing on school without working a part-time job is something I am grateful to be able to do.
David “Justin” Procyk
I would like to thank you for the support towards my continuing studies. My name is David “Justin” Procyk, a 19 years old metis student born and raised in Calgary. I am currently in my first year of Engineering at the University of Calgary, working hard towards my goal of becoming a Mechanical Engineer.
Desmand King
My name is Desmand King, and I am writing today as a recipient of your award. First, I want to convey an absolutely heartfelt thank you to Corus Entertainment for awarding me with this generous scholarship. Let me tell you a little bit about myself and how this award has enhanced my academic experience.
Corinne Longoz
I would like to express my sincere appreciation in being selected as a recipient of the Cenovus Indigenous Scholarship. I am enrolled as a third-year student at the University of Fredericton within the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.
Corey Normore
I am more than thrilled to be sending you this thank you letter. I would like to thank you for selecting me for this award. It is such a honour to receive this award, not only does it bring me pride but it also helps me to continue following my dreams and ambitions to do what I always wanted to do in life. I am attending the College of the North Atlantic, Ridge Road campus located in St. Johns, Newfoundland.
Tristen Brown
Thank you so very much for this generous bursary for helping me with my education and future career. My name is Tristen Brown, and I am currently enrolled in my first year of the Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering at Lakehead University. My childhood dream was to become a designer in the engineering field. Overcoming academic adversity through hard work and determination, I decided to commit myself to literary studies, excelling in the chosen field of Civil Engineering Technology at Lethbridge College in 2016.
Michelle Browning
I would like to take this time to thank you so very much for your generous support of Aboriginal people and their educational goals. Currently I am in my fourth year of my bachelor’s degree in commerce and am very excited to be graduating in May 2023! I attend the University of Northern British Columbia in Prince George, BC where I am also a permanent resident.
Owen Pelletier
My name is Owen Pelletier and I am currently completing my third year of the Indigenous Social Work program at The First Nations University of Canada in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. I am wonderfully surprised and delighted to be informed that my application to Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries, Scholarships, and Awards program has been successful. This unexpected and incredible surprise has left me feeling extremely honoured, grateful, and fortunate.
Marika Schalla
Chimiigwech, thank you so very much for this award. I am so very grateful for this opportunity. I was very worried that I would not be able to pay my tuition this school year. I am currently completing a Post Baccalaureate Post Graduated Diploma in Education in Indigenous Knowledges. I am currently an teacher teaching at an Indigenous school in Winnipeg’s north end community. Because of this award, I am able to continue my studies and be an inspiration for the Indigenous youth I currently teach.
Amelia Jones
My name is Amelia Jones, and I have so gratefully accepted the Indspire: Building Brighter Futures Bursary, which I’ve come to learn was so generously sponsored by the Mejuri Bursary. I am writing this letter to express my gratitude, and for you to get to know me a little bit better. I am a 22-year-old Inuk woman from Forteau, on the southern coast of Labrador. I am currently living in Newfoundland and Labrador’s Capital City, where I am in my final year of studies in Biology and Behavioural Neuroscience at Memorial University.
Sherri Marino
I would like to thank you so much for selecting me to be a recipient for the Koulikkwa Legacy Award received from Indspire, to help fund my second year at Native Education College, where I am studying to become an Indigenous Family and Community Counseller and support worker. I am truly blessed to have been one of the recipients of this generous award and I am grateful for your contribution to my education.
Matthew McCallum
I feel relieved to have received your support in my educational journey, moving from a small northern community to Saskatoon to attend the University of Saskatchewan comes with its challenges. I am currently in first year of the new re-engineered program and I am determined to become a civil engineer. Your scholarship has relieved my stress, my purpose for looking for scholarships is to remove any unnecessary obstacles from my studies, I understand I need to place extreme focus in my studies to succeed, one can imagine the workload required to successfully complete an engineering degree.
Andrea Andersen
My name is Andrea Andersen, I am an Inuk mother from Nunatsiavut, now living in Iqaluit, Nunavut. I am a Physiotherapist by profession and I am taking an 8-month education leave to learn Inuktitut at Pirurvik Centre. This course is Inuktitut as a second language course for Inuit. This financial support has helped tremendously going back to a student budget from working full-time, especially with a little one and the high cost of living in the North.
Laura Grizzlypaws
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the generous scholarship you awarded me with. I appreciate your recognition of my efforts. I am honored to be one of the recipients of the Feast in the Forest and matching funds from the Government of Canada Scholarship. Kukwstumckacw (Thank you) so much for this generous support.
Jeff Shemilt
I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for being honoured with a KPMG Indigenous Student Bursary for my continued participation in the Master of Public Administration program at the University of Victoria. I sincerely appreciate this gesture and the confidence in my program success this award demonstrates.
Lucas Ryland
I am currently in the first year of a Bachelor of Science Program at Memorial University (Corner Brook Grenfell Campus). I am a member of the Nunatukavut Community Council (which represents the Inuit of south and central Labrador). I currently live in Pasadena, NL but I was born in Happy Valley – Goose Bay, Labrador and spent the first 10 years of my life there.
Melinda Fowler-Woods
I am a third year orthopedic surgery resident at the University of Manitoba. With the support of the bursary received I will be able to attend a basic fracture fixation course that is highly recommended for my year of study. I am very thankful for your financial support.
Dylan Mablick
Thank you so much for the reward! I am honoured. I am started taking Carleton University this term. I am majoring in Human Rights & Social Justice and minoring in English literacy, specifically on the Long Civil Rights Movement. It is my very first year and it has been delightful.
Hannah Geauvreau-Turner
I am currently studying in the Office Administration Executive field at Conestoga College. I am in my second year of the program and looking forward to the rest of the semester. This support has made a difference to my situation to be able to continue studying with less financial stress, purchase some supplies equipment needed and be able to continue forward.
Nicolas Samoil
Thank you very much for selecting me for the Aboriginal Health and Human Resources Initiative Scholarship. I am currently a first-year student in the Master of Clinical Science in Audiology program at the University of Western Ontario.
Monica Rumbolt
I’m Monica Rumbolt, a recent awardee of the program you’ve supported called Indspire’s Brighter Futures: Bursaries, Scholarships, and Awards. I will graduate from high school in 2022, and I’m already enrolled in Memorial University’s new Labrador Institute to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Teddy Trudeau
Hello, my name is Teddy Trudeau, and I wish to thank you for generously sponsoring this award! I am an indigenous third-year student at Laurentian University here at Sudbury, Ontario. I am studying mechanical engineering, where I will hopefully be able to graduate and then join the workforce as an engineer.
Sheila Naytowhow
My name is Sheila Naytowhow and I am a 27 year old nehiyaw iskwew from the Montreal Lake Cree Nation. I am a fourth year Psychology student studying at the University of Saskatchewan. I am also a mother of two, my children are my biggest supporters and motivators and I can’t wait to provide and guide them to follow their dreams and goals.
Korrin Chisel
I would like to thank you for your time and support in considering me for this donation. My name is Korrin Chisel. I am studying in my 1st year of Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the Cambrian College campus. This has made a difference in my situation as I will not have to worry about how I will need to manage my money for the month to meet bills, pay for groceries or worry about vehicle maintenance throughout the year.
Darnell Bourassa
My name is Darnell Bourassa and I am 32 years old. I am from Chemawawin Cree Nation (Easterville), which is located in Central Manitoba with a population of a little over 2000. But now I reside in Winnipeg, MB since 2019 along with my girlfriend and together we have a 2 year old son. I moved from my home community to pursue a career in the electrical trades.
Fauna Church
My name is Fauna Church, I am living in rural MB and doing the Community-Based After Degree BEd through the University of Calgary. I am in my final year of the program and only have four months left before I get my teaching certificate. I plan on staying in my rural town and teaching here as a proud Métis educator.
Phoebe Peggy Oweetaluktuk
My name is Phoebe Peggy Oweetaluktuk, originally from Inukjuak Nunavik QC, currently living in Montreal, studying in Nunavik Sivunitsavut program held by John Abbott College, in the year 2021/2022. This support will make a huge difference with my bills for my SUV, cell phone service and other personal bills that I am struggling with. Also with the household supplies, food and transportation.
G. Craig Adams
My name is Geoffrey CRAIG Adams, and I am the fortunate recipient of The Learning From The Past Foundation award through Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries, Scholarships, and Awards program. I am a proud member of the Neskonlith Band, which is one of the seventeen surviving bands within the Secwepemc (Shuswap) First Nation in the southern interior plateau of British Columbia.
Elianna Ellis
I would just to write you a quick letter simply stating my gratitude towards your generosity as well as thanking you for aiding with my post-secondary education. My name is Elianna Ellis and I am currently in my second year at the University of Waterloo for Honours Psychology. Your support has helped me by allowing me to not have to work full time during my winter term and focus only on my education, along with relieving me of financial stress that I have been carrying for over 4 months.
Zachary Zorn
My name is Zachary Zorn, and I am currently studying at Concordia University in Montreal. I am in my fourth year at Concordia and my first in the John Molson Business program, majoring in finance. The program so far has been much more demanding than I originally anticipated. Along with this, it comes with higher tuition which as added financial stressors.
Celeste Tookoome-Hill
Nyawenhkówa for your generous support! I am so thankful that I received Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards for my language program! Celeste niwakhsennò:ten, A’nowara niwakitarò:ten, Kanyenkehá:ka tahnon Othorekéhrono niwakonhwentysò:ten, my name is Celeste, I am turtle clan, and I am Mohawk and Inuit nation.
Brendan Hamilton
It is with the above in heart & mind that I wish to express my gratitude towards Canadian Heritage for providing me financial support upon my educational journey. Your generosity has provided me with an immense amount of freedom from financial burden while pursuing my studies.
Beatrice Uttak
First, I would like to say a big thank you for sponsoring me. My name is Beatrice Uttak and I am from Igloolik, Nunavut. I am currently enrolled on my 1st year of 5 Nunavut Teacher Education Program (NTEP) in my home community. Without your support, I would not be able to pay off my outstanding tuition and fees to be enrolled in the winter semester 2022.
Brandon McDonald
I am from Saskatchewan Treaty 6 Territory, Plains Cree and I am out here in Toronto, Ontario studying at a Theatre Arts school as a First Year. With this Award, it’ll help with my debt situation and help with rent. To relieve me from stress while I am at school.
Taylor Tagg
My name is Taylor and I would like to personally thank you and show my gratitude for being selected to receive an Indspire Award. I would also like to thank the Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative for making this award possible. Being given this opportunity will allow me to attend school and alleviate the financial burden of living costs as a student in a rigorous program.
Justin Procyk
My name is David “Justin” Procyk. I am an 18-year-old Mètis student born and raised in Calgary. I am currently in my first year at the University of Calgary in the Indigenous Student Access Program (ISAP) improving my GPA for a better chance to be accepted into their Engineering Program and more specifically into Mechanical Engineering.
