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NORTH VANCOUVER – The provincial government has contributed $100,000 to the Chief Joe Mathias British Columbia Aboriginal Scholarship Fund to help more students pursue education and training in British Columbia, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.
“Chief Mathias believed that a post-secondary education was critical to helping Aboriginal people find success – just as it is for all young people – and it’s an honour for us to support that vision,” said Campbell. “This scholarship is one step toward closing the education gap at the post-secondary level and opens up opportunities for Aboriginal people to help chart not only their own future but also a future for B.C. that supports the potential of all our citizens.”
The nationally registered Chief Joe Mathias British Columbia Aboriginal Scholarship Fund was established in 2002 in memory of Mathias, hereditary chief of the Squamish First Nation. Since then, 46 scholarships have helped students from 31 First Nations study such things as commerce, law and medicine, as well as child and youth care, developmental programs, baking and Chinese medicine. Students have received up to $15,000 each.
The Province’s contribution to the fund, made in honour of
Mathias, was announced as part of the celebration renaming the Squamish Nation’s building after the chief, who died
in 2000. Eligible students must be a member of a B.C. First Nation, demonstrate
financial need and merit, be enrolled at a recognized post-secondary
institution and be taking courses that lead to a degree, certificate or
diploma, including trades certification. The deadline for applications is June
15 each year.
“Our goal is to see more qualified applicants getting the education they
want with the help of this scholarship,” said Lisa Ethans, scholarship board
president. “As more students take advantage of education opportunities, we get
closer to realizing Joe’s dream of First Nations people taking their places as
leaders of tomorrow.”
As well as advocating for more higher education opportunities for Aboriginal students in B.C., Mathias helped create the First Nations Summit, which represents B.C. First Nations involved in treaty negotiations. He was also a member of the constitutional working group of the Assembly of First Nations advancing the rights of Aboriginal people in Canada.
“Chief Mathias saw education as a foundation for leadership, and we want to honour his memory by providing more opportunities for First Nations across the province,” said Murray Coell, Minister of Advanced Education. “The number of Aboriginal students graduating from post-secondary education is increasing, and the extra funding in this endowment will benefit students now and for years to come.”
“All British Columbians need access to quality education to build a productive and secure future,” said Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. “By supporting the Chief Joe Mathias Aboriginal scholarship, we are helping Aboriginal students get a first-rate post-secondary education in British Columbia.”
In 2006, almost 16,500 students at public
post-secondary institutions identified themselves as Aboriginal, an increase of
more than 10 per cent since 2002. The Ministry of
Advanced Education has invested almost $11 million for 222 post-secondary
projects that have helped over 3,900 Aboriginal learners start, stay in and
finish their post-secondary education since 2001.
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More information on the Chief Joe Mathias British Columbia Aboriginal Scholarship, and the application form, is available online at www.fnesc.bc.ca. Click on “Post-secondary Education and Training” on the right-hand navigation bar, go to “Current Issues” and see “Joe Mathias Scholarship.”
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Communications Manager Ministry of Advanced Education 250 356-7882 250 888-0299 (cell) |
Communications Director Ministry of Advanced Education 250 952-6508 250 888-0023 (cell) |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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