News Releases

August 28, 2009

$2.14 million endowment fund set up for Métis students

September 1, 2009 – Métis students attending full-time programs at NAIT have a new award opportunity. The $2.14 million Métis Nation of Alberta Student Awards Endowment Fund is being created through a donation of $1,070,000 from the Métis Nation of Alberta, along with matching funds from NAIT.

“The Métis Nation of Alberta should be commended for recognizing the importance of encouraging a technical education among its people,” says Dr. Sam Shaw, NAIT President and CEO. “The skills they will gain at NAIT will ensure they have the real-world education employers are seeking, as well as rewarding careers.”

The combined $2.4 million gift is the largest contribution to student awards in NAIT’s history. Last year there were over 300 self-declared Métis attending NAIT. The Métis Nation of Alberta is hoping this new endowment fund will help increase those numbers.

“With the Métis Nation of Alberta Student Awards Endowment Funds we hope it will help reduce overall student debt from Canada/Alberta student loans,” says Audrey Poitras, President of the Métis Nation of Alberta. “Ultimately, this is about our future, both as a distinct people and as individual Métis. We are establishing these endowment funds to enable Métis youth get ahead of the future.”

The awards will vary in value, ranging between $1500 and $5000. The higher-end will go to students taking an applied undergraduate degree or undergraduate degree such as the Bachelor of Technology in Technology Management or the Bachelor of Business Administration.

“I know first-hand student awards can change people lives,” says Sean Greenwall, a student in NAIT’s Aboriginal Pre-technology Program. “Without the funding support I have received I would not be able to afford go back to school and pursue a career. Today’s announcement means other Metis will be given the same opportunity.”

Students can start applying for the first round of awards immediately. There will be at least 10 awards handed out this year. The number increases up to 20 per year, in each of the following academic years.

The Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) has a long history. Since its inception in 1928, it has existed to advocate on behalf of and meet the needs and aspirations of Métis people in Alberta. The mandate of the MNA is to: be a representative voice on behalf of Métis people in Alberta; provide Métis people an opportunity to participate in government’s policy and decision making process and, most importantly; promote and facilitate the advancement of Métis people through the pursuit of self-reliance, self-determination and self-management.

NAIT is one of the preeminent institutes of technology in Canada, providing real-world education in business, advanced technologies and skilled trades to more than 84,000 learners worldwide. Known for student success, NAIT also engages with business and industry in applied research and innovation and provides corporate training around the world.

For more information, please contact:

Rayne Kuntz
NAIT Media Relations Coordinator
Department of Corporate Communications
P 780.471.8450 C 780.916.8307 E raynek@nait.ca