Indigenous student says Manitoba business council's education awards make a difference - Action News
Home WebMail Thursday, November 14, 2024, 01:21 AM | Calgary | 6.7°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
Indigenous

Indigenous student says Manitoba business council's education awards make a difference

Two hundred post-secondary students have been awarded $3,000 each from the Business Council of Manitoba'sIndigenous Education Awards program this year.

Business Council of Manitoba hopes to expand new work experience program

Indigenous students are meeting potential employers at the Business Council of Manitoba's Job fair and celebration.
Over 300 Indigenous students attended the Business Council of Manitoba's job fair and celebration on Monday in Winnipeg. (David Chenier )

Two hundred post-secondary students have been awarded $3,000 each from the Business Council of Manitoba'sIndigenous Education Awards program this year.

Logan Mason moved from St.Theresa Point First Nation in northern Manitoba when he was a teenager to go to school in Winnipeg.

Now he is a third-year accounting student at the University of Manitoba and an Indigenous Education Award recipient.

"Living in the city is so much different," Mason said.

"Out here it feels like you're on your own."

Mason saidthe support that camewith this award motivated him to keep going, despite the challenges.

"Every little bit helps."

Student and award recipient talks about his experience on stage with the boss he was connected with through the Business Council of Manitoba.
Logan Mason is an accounting student and a recipient of an Indigenous Education Award. He also was hired last summer because of the WIL program by Transcona Roofing. (David Chenier)

Last summer through the council's newWork-Integrated Learning (WIL) program, Mason worked in the finance department at Transcona Roofing.

"I want to get a high level of skill and bring it back home and support my community," saidMason.

The Business Council of Manitoba is made up of over 100 leaders of businesses. Since 2001, the council'sIndigenous Education Awards program has supported at least 3,000 students from 12 different accredited institutions in Manitoba, totalling almost $8 million.

In 2022, the council created theWIL programto connect businesseswithIndigenous students looking for work during summers and after graduation.The businesses that participate in the WIL program also have mandatory cultural competency training.

Kendra Bouchie delivers a speech talking about her previous experience as an award recipient.
Kendra Bouchie, Indigenous Awards Program Manager at the Business Council of Manitoba, spoke on Monday at a job fair about her experience as a previous awards recipient. (David Chenier)

Kendra Bouchie, the Indigenous Education Awards managerwho is from Minegoziibe Anishinabe (formerly Pine Creek First Nation), was herself a recipient of an education award.She gave a speech at the council's job fair Monday and said her experience through the WIL program as summer student co-ordinator at the councilhelped her score her current job with the council.

"When you look at me, I want you to know that you are looking at yourself," Bouchie said.

"Because I know your potential, just as the business council knew mine."

'I wish I had this opportunity'

Terry Brown, CEO of Okimaw Community andHR Solutions in Winnipeg anda member of Peguis First Nation, is the first Indigenous member of the business council and co-chair of the economic reconciliation committee.

He said he joined three years ago because he saw the value and opportunity for First Nations with the award program.

"I wish I had this opportunity 25 years ago when I started," said Brown.

Nine students did work placements in the first year. Theaim this year is 80 students.

Brown said next year's goal is to extend the WIL program to high school students.