Congratulations to Winners and Deadline Reminder for SCO Scholarships

by ahnationtalk on October 3, 202449 Views

October 3, 2024

ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB —The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) reminds all First Nations students that the deadline is fast approaching to apply for an SCO Indspire scholarship for winter intake at post secondary institutions. SCO is now awarding 25 scholarships in total in celebration of its 25^th anniversary. To date, SCO has provided scholarships to 90 students, and this year the 25 additional scholarships will bring the total to 115.

In the last five years, SCO has created endowed scholarships at a number of universities and colleges in Manitoba, with more to be announced. Currently SCO scholarships are available at Red River College Polytech, Brandon University, Manitoba Institute for Trades and Technology, and Assiniboine College. These endowed scholarships are complemented by annual Indspire scholarships created by SCO and available for southern First Nation students attending any post-secondary institution.

SCO encourages our citizens to apply for scholarships and bursaries meant to support them in their educational journey. Deadlines vary at universities and colleges, but the next Indspire intake is November 1, 2024.

We congratulate all students on their success in school and recognize the recipients of our 2023-24 scholarships for First Nation students. The recipient from Brandon University is Denise Henry-Sinclair. A member of the Rolling River First Nation, Denise has now started her 3^rd year in the Psychiatric Nursing program.

“This award has not only provided support for myself, but it has also provided for my family and their needs,” said Denise Henry-Sinclair. “Receiving this scholarship has also instilled a stronger sense of pride in who I am as an Anishinaabekwe and my home community Rolling River First Nation. It is not just the award that is important but also acknowledging the significance of the struggles, grief, and loss our ancestors endured. It is because of those survivors I am here to carry on that endurance and resiliency to obtain my Psychiatric Nursing degree.”

The SCO scholarship winner for Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT) is Benjamin Widrick-Sinclair from the Brokenhead Ojibway First Nation. Benjamin is enrolled in the school’s Graphic and Print Technician Program.

“I am grateful for the assistance I received from SCO,” said Benjamin Widrick-Sinclair. “This scholarship helped reduce the stress so I could focus on my education.”

The winners of our SCO Indspire scholarships for 2023-2024 are as follows:

Tréchelle Bunn, Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation
Chantelle Courchene, Sagkeeng Anicinabe First Nation
Devon Daniels, Long Plain First Nation
Danielle Dnistransky, Pine Creek First Nation
Kyle Edwards, Ebb and Flow First Nation
Aluk Fontaine Richardson, Sagkeeng Anicinabe First Nation
Madison Halaburda, Pinaymootang First Nation
Juscenta Haligowski, Ebb and Flow First Nation
Sessilja Jonasson, O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation
Clifford McKay, Rolling River First Nation
Eugenia Oudie, Waywayseecappo First Nation
Chasity Phillips, Sandy Bay First Nation
Courtney Rule, Skownan First Nation
Anastasia Stevenson, Peguis First Nation

A new round of scholarship recipients will be announced later this academic year.

“Education and knowledge hold the key to healthier Nations and create avenues for prosperity and economic sovereignty,” concluded Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “I invite you to join me in congratulating all our students on their academic success and encourage you to walk with SCO as we do all that we can, to create positive educational outcomes for them.”

Scholarship recipients must be a member of one of SCO’s 33 member Nations. The recipients must also be active in their community, either contributing to their school community or the community-at-large.

A list of funding opportunities for post-secondary students can be found on our scholarship and funding page https://scoinc.mb.ca/education-scholarships-and-funding/

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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 33 First Nations and more than 87,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.

For media inquiries:

Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca

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