WINNIPEG, MB – As Manitoba prepares to pay tribute to Louis Riel, Manitoba’s father of Confederation, The University of Winnipeg and the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) and its education arm the Louis Riel Institute (LRI) have renewed their partnership for 2011/2012. Since 1999 the MMF and the LRI have provided bursaries totaling more than $1.3 million to Métis students attending UWinnipeg, funding the University has matched.. The Louis Riel Bursaries offer financial assistance to Certificate, Diploma, Bachelors, and Masters degree students.
“President David Chartrand and the Manitoba Métis Federation are providing the kind of leadership that is so critical to closing the graduation gap and providing a world of career opportunities for Métisstudents,” said Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, President and Vice-Chancellor, UWinnipeg. “Approximately 12% of our total student population is now First Nations, Métis, and Inuit, making UWinnipeg one of the top universities in Canada for Indigenous participation. We are offering programs that are unique not only in Canada but globally. The Louis Riel Bursaries have allowed hundreds of students to access post-secondary education.”
“The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) is extremely pleased to take part in this important announcement today that will continue to play a major role in ensuring successful outcomes for our Métis citizens and students,” said President David Chartrand. ”We applaud the vision demonstrated by Dr. Axworthy and The University of Winnipeg through this partnership, that addresses the educational challenges faced by our Métis students today while recognizing the benefit of a highly educated future workforce not just for our Métis citizens but for all Manitobans as well.”
All Métis students are eligible for the Louis Riel Bursaries, however students with the most financial need are considered first. Students receive a bursary between $500 and $2500 each year based on individual financial need. The MMF provides $125,000 annually which UWinnipeg matches.
AUDREEN HOURIE FELLOWSHIP EXPANDS
In addition, the Audreen Hourie Graduate Fellowship is now expanding to include all Métis graduate students in UWinnipeg’s Indigenous Governance or Masters in Development Practice programs. The Audreen Hourie Graduate Fellowship was established at UWinnipeg in 2008 as a result of a $100,000 gift by the Manitoba MétisFederation, and is named after Audreen Hourie, a Métis woman born in the community of Grand Marais. Audreen was a founding board member of Pemmican Publications and became Managing Editor in March 2000. Audreen always used her experience to involve Métis people in the arts and was a leader in providing training to Métis people in the book publishing industry.
UWinnipeg was singled out by Maclean’s magazine last month as one of Canada’s most innovative and successful campuses in fostering Indigenous scholarship and providing a respectful and relevant place for Indigenous students to learn.
Find out more about Indigenous scholarship at UWinnipeg at: http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/indigenous-programs-services
MEDIA CONTACT
Diane Poulin, Communications Officer, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7135, E: d.poulin@uwinnipeg.ca
