Métis post-secondary students in B.C. are benefitting from scholarship funding specifically for them, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Province and Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC).
The Province provided $145,000 in scholarship funding last year to MNBC to provide financial assistance for Métis post-secondary and skills training learners in B.C. Established last year, this scholarship program is now funding 20 Métis learners in their post-secondary journeys this school year, in the field of health sciences. This marks the first time ever MNBC has offered a scholarship program for learners.
“Métis youth are the future of our nation and helping nourish their future is a prime responsibility of Métis Nation British Columbia,” said Paulette Flamond, Minister of Skills Training, Employment, and Post-secondary at MNBC. “This scholarship fund is the beginning of many programs we will and continue to offer.”
“We are excited to work with Métis Nation British Columbia and support Métis learners so they can successfully reach their educational goals,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “Investing in opportunities for all learners is part of StrongerBC’s Future Ready Plan. Future Ready is making education and training more accessible, affordable, and relevant to help people gain the skills and knowledge they need for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”
MNBC has plans to use some of the funding to administer this scholarship program next year as well, a big step forward in providing post-secondary support for Métis learners. The collaborative effort to support Métis post-secondary students will continue to strengthen the working relationship between MNBC and the Province.
"I’m in my last year of a master’s program in which I’ll be a registered clinical counsellor upon completion,” said Hanna Lindores, scholarship recipient and Yorkville University counselling psychology student. “Attending graduate school can be so stressful and at times feel like a burden to my life in regard to time and finances. This scholarship allows me to put more time and passion into my studies and reduces some of the stress and anxiety around finding the money to educate myself in order to serve my community better.”
“We are excited to work with Métis Nation British Columbia and support Métis learners so they can successfully reach their educational goals,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “Investing in opportunities for all learners is part of StrongerBC’s Future Ready Plan. Future Ready is making education and training more accessible, affordable, and relevant to help people gain the skills and knowledge they need for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”