A new fund is creating 150 new scholarships for First Nation members of the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council 34 member communities to support careers in health care feilds.
“Thanks to a generous donation by Larry Vickars, matched by the SCO (Southern Chief’s Organization), and matched again by the province of Manitoba,” said SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels, the fund will support students becoming health care professionals “from doctors to nurses, and all the allied health care professions.”
“The most current stats show that only 1.5% of nurses in Canada are First Nation and fewer than 1% of doctors identify as Indigenous,” noted Daniels, “we believe this will make all the difference in reducing the 11 year life expectancy gap between First Nations and all other Manitobans.”
“It is a pleasure to be here,” said Vickars. “The Business Council of Manitoba established the Indigenous Education Awards (IEA) in 2001, and over the years has donated a total of eight million towards student education funds.” The IEA provides scholarships of $3000 per year to Indigenous students to “focus on their education, and create a stress free experience,” said Vickars. Students can apply more than once, explained Vickars. “Together we are supporting the development of a workforce that reflects the people in Manitoba, and in all communities.”
“I personally look forward, as does the Business Council, to working with this exciting partnership. Applications open Nov 20, 2024 and are due May 21 2025 for the 25-26 academic year. Let’s make sure we have a good number of people apply. This is a great program,” added Vickars.
“Thank you so much, this is really a great example of how we bring the community together,” said Minister of Advanced Education and Training Renée Cable. “This will help more First Nation students to acheive their goals than ever before…this will help ensure healthier communities, that our young people want to live in and study and build families here, that the future looks a lot brighter. My goal is to get as many folks to and through post secondary education as possible. Not everyone has a linear path through post secondary, and we need to acknowledge that. These awards are one way to show people we support their dreams.” Cable also highlighted other provincial supports, such as interest-free student loans. “Thank you for opening more doors for more people,” she said.

“We beleive in our youth,” said Daniels. “ First Nations youth are brilliant, inquisitive and creative.”
“First Nations youth want to take advantage of opportunities but sometimes the circumstances we come from prevent us from doing that, financial barriers being one of them,” said Josh Gandier, a member of the SCO Youth Council. “Its really important to know that if they are looking for a future in health they are going to be supported.”
The intiative will meet two of the calls for action according the the Truth and Reconcilliation Commission Report, including number 92 which calls on the corporate sector to ensure equitable access to education, and section 23 which calls on government to increase the numbers of First Nation professionals in health care.
“Today we are doing both…we are supporting reconcilliation in a meaningful way,” said Daniels.