On September 9, the Mastercard Foundation announced a $5 million investment in The University of Winnipeg, recognizing the University’s leadership in advancing education for Indigenous youth. This gift will significantly strengthen the University’s efforts to provide exceptional support and opportunities to Indigenous students.
The gift is part of a larger $235 million investment by Mastercard Foundation in 30 organizations across Canada. Institutions and organizations were selected based on their track record of impact and improving outcomes for Indigenous youth; deep involvement, engagement, and accountability to Indigenous communities and youth; and innovative, successful programming aligned with Indigenous priorities and opportunities for growth.
“With continual guidance from Indigenous students, Elders, faculty, and community members, the University of Winnipeg has taken bold action to advance Reconciliation in ways rooted in community-based education and cultural revitalization,” said Jennifer Brennan, Senior Director, Canada Programs at the Mastercard Foundation. “We made a commitment to young Indigenous people that we would walk alongside them to transform post-secondary education in ways that support them to live a good life. This exemplary organization is contributing to that change and to a stronger country for us all.”
With Indigenous students making up 12% of its student population—and Indigenous graduates already strengthening our province across a wide variety of fields including education, medicine, law, biosciences, and more—UWinnipeg is uniquely positioned to maximize the impact of this gift.
“The University of Winnipeg is proud to partner in this exciting national initiative—one that will have a lasting impact on Indigenous youth across Canada,” said Dr. Todd Mondor, President and Vice-Chancellor. “This generous investment from the Mastercard Foundation will create new opportunities for UWinnipeg to strengthen its support of Indigenous students and advance Reconciliation through exceptional education and research. We are delighted to participate in this bold endeavour, which is sure to foster meaningful change.”
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) highlighted education as a critical path forward toward Reconciliation. Marking a decade of work under the TRC, the Mastercard Foundation funding will enable institutions to scale successful programs to educate thousands of Indigenous youth over the next ten years.
“With gratitude, we thank the Mastercard Foundation for their generosity and this incredible opportunity,” said Dr. Chantal Fiola, Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Engagement. “Over the past ten years, the impact of the TRC’s legacy and nation-wide efforts to mobilize Reconciliation have positively changed the landscape of Canada. UWinnipeg has proudly participated in this work, but there is still much to be done. Mastercard’s transformative gift allows us to build on our longtime commitment to support Indigenous excellence—on our campus, in Winnipeg, and beyond.”
In addition to scaling successful programs, the funding will enable institutions to share their innovative approaches and build new sustainable solutions together.
“Recent UWinnipeg initiatives—such as last year’s special hire of eight Indigenous faculty members from a diversity of disciplines—are creating a more welcoming, opportunity-rich environment for Indigenous students and scholars,” said Dr. Pavlina Radia, Provost and Vice-President, Academic. “With Indigenous excellence continuing to be a key pillar of our new strategic plan, this investment from the Mastercard Foundation will go a long way to support this work going forward.”
Through this nation-wide initiative, the Mastercard Foundation hopes to inspire action for government, the private sector, the philanthropic sector, and all organizations in Canada to renew their commitment to Reconciliation and take meaningful action.
The investment builds on the Mastercard Foundation EleV Program, which works with more than 65 partners across Canada to support 100,000 Indigenous youth to achieve post-secondary education and transition to meaningful work by 2030. Founded in 2017, EleV has committed over $500M to transform education and employment to support Indigenous youth.
Message from Jennifer Brennan, Senior Director of Canada Programs, Mastercard Foundation:
