Awards give students opportunity to focus on education

For Sarah Stephens and Jasmine Dionne being
recipients of this year’s Belcourt Brosseau Métis Award will make a difference.

“These awards have provided an opportunity
to focus and concentrate more on my studies, which has allowed me to achieve a
3.9 GPA. More time has equated to becoming a stronger nurse practitioner and
educate about cultural safety in the workplace. Upon completion of the program,
I will be the youngest nurse practitioner in Alberta,” said Stephens, a nurse
practitioner at Athabasca University.

The awards of up to $7,000 are available to
Métis Albertans who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to being
gainfully employed by having their tuition, fees and books covered.

Dionne, first year Law and Society student
at the University of Calgary, says the award has instilled a strong sense of
pride in her identity.

“It was an honour to receive this award. I
always knew I was Métis and embraced my culture. This award has allowed me to
be a role model to other Metis students and has created the ability to pursue
my goals and assist other Metis students not to give up,” she said.

 “The awards program has proven to be a difference-maker,”
said Theresa Marjeran, communications coordinator for BBMA. 

With the constant success and growing
recognition of the awards, more applications are submitted every year.  In 2013, there were 224 applications
received requesting financial support and tuition costs, but only 133 met the
criteria and were accepted for financial support.

 “The success of this initiative has a great deal to do with
the achievements being made by the recipients. Our sponsors who continue to
hire them are noticing our graduates. It is because the recipients continue to
strive for excellence as they work to finish their education and pursue their
chosen careers,” said Marjeran.

Dionne has experienced that spin-off
success.

 “I have been featured in the “Pathways for Syncrude” article,
given presentations and networked with the founders for the potential of an
articling internship in the summer,” she said.

Dionne also sees the award as an
opportunity to break stereotypes.

“My great great grandmother went to
residential school. These schools have had a disastrous effect on Aboriginal
culture, which has fuelled many misconceptions (including) the stereotype that
Aboriginal people do not work hard or do not accomplish anything.  These awards remove this negative cloud
and allow for the recognition of Métis culture, knowledge and history.”

Since it’s inception in 2001, 1,100 awards
have been provided to more then 750 students.  Over $4.7 million has been disbursed to Alberta educational
institutions for Métis students attending over 200 different programs at all
post-secondary institutions in Alberta.

“The event is growing every year,” stated
Majeran.  The growth and success of
the BBMA Awards has created an increase in volunteerism through past recipients,
community members and panel members.

In 2001, the Belcourt Brosseau Métis Awards
were established at the Edmonton Community Foundation by the directors of
Canative Housing Corporation: Georges R. Brosseau Q.C., Dr. Herb Belcourt and
Orval Belcourt.