Tourmaline Reaffirms Commitment to Indigenous Education with $300,000 Pledge to Indspire
May 7, 2024 – Ohsweken, ON – Indspire, a leading Indigenous national charity, is pleased to announce that Tourmaline, Canada’s largest natural gas producer, has renewed its commitment to supporting Indigenous education in Canada with a contribution of $300,000 spread over the next three years. This funding will bolster two of Indspire’s key initiatives: the Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries and Scholarships (BBF) program and the annual Soaring: Indigenous Youth Empowerment Gathering.
Since 2021, Tourmaline has been a steadfast partner in Indspire’s mission to support the potential of Indigenous youth through education. The renewed sponsorship consists of $225,000 towards the BBF program and $75,000 to support Soaring from 2025 through 2027.
The BBF program has been instrumental in providing scholarships, bursaries, and awards to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students across Canada. With Tourmaline’s renewed support, Indigenous students across Alberta and British Columbia will benefit from financial assistance, ensuring they have the resources needed to succeed in their educational journeys.
Soaring, which receives $25,000 annually from Tourmaline, offers a unique opportunity for hundreds of Indigenous high school students to explore post-secondary education options and connect with industry leaders, inspiring them towards future educational and career achievements.
“Tourmaline is proud to renew our commitment to Indspire and Indigenous students from our operating areas,” said Talese Shilleto, Director of Indigenous and Community Relations with Tourmaline. “We have seen firsthand the incredible impact Indspire’s programs have on the next generation of Indigenous leaders, and we are excited to continue to support students as they pursue any post-secondary programs they’re passionate about.”
Dr. Mike DeGagné, President & CEO of Indspire, welcomed the renewed support: “Tourmaline’s ongoing partnership is a testament to their dedication to making a positive impact in Indigenous communities. This funding will significantly contribute to Indspire’s mission of advancing the education of Indigenous youth.”
For further information, interviews, or media inquiries, please contact:
Brandon Meawasige
VP, Communications & Marketing
bmeawasige@indspire.ca
1-855-463-7747 x2350
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 2022-23, Indspire provided more than $27.5 million through 7,500 bursaries and scholarships to First Nations, Inuit and Métis students across Canada.
About Tourmaline
Tourmaline is Canada’s largest natural gas producer. We are headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, and have significant positions in three of Western Canada’s major resource plays: the Alberta Deep Basin, the northeast British Columbia Montney complex, and the Peace River High Charlie Lake complex. We’re proud to send our natural gas across Canada, into the United States, and to international markets, improving the lives of many. Our goal is to have the largest supply of low-emission and low-development-cost natural gas in North America. Visit www.tourmalineoil.com and follow @tourmalineoilcorp on LinkedIn and Facebook and @tourmalineoil on X (Twitter).
