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.
