Piikani woman among national scholarship winners

A 21-year-old from southern Alberta’s Piikani First Nation is one of seven young women who have been awarded a Rose Nolan Memorial Scholarship.

The monetary contribution will enable Abby Morning Bull to concentrate on her studies in her Bachelor of Arts program at the University of Lethbridge, where she is majoring in Native American Studies.

“I was completely in awe and couldn’t believe that I’d won,” said Morning Bull. “I’ve seen the winners from past years and figured there was no way I’d win it.”

She will receive $3,000 toward living expenses and tuition and when she graduates in 2013 she will receive another $2,000, freeing her from financial worries so she can study full time.

“It’s truly an honour and I’m blessed to receive it,” said Morning Bull, adding she is going into her second year of her chosen education path.

Morning Bull plans to further her current studies with a master degree. “I want to research and write for the rest of my life, and I want to document the knowledge of the Elders and others who hold our traditional knowledge and get it in writing at an academic level.”

The numbers of missing Canadian Aboriginal women is another issue to which Morning Bull hopes to bring enlightenment and awareness as well.

Ted Nolan, former hockey player and coach in the National Hockey League, and a member of the Garden River First Nation in Ontario, said the award recognizes Aboriginal women who are achieving their educational goals.

“The seven winners are involved in academic programs but also have to be able to produce letters from their home communities showing their contribution to others,” he said.

Nolan established the charity to raise funds for the scholarships in memory of his mother, who was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 1981. Though lacking in education herself, the Ojibway woman believed that education was necessary to live a successful life and encouraged her family and friends.

“I’m a believer in the strength of our women, and recognize that the more help and encouragement we can give them, the stronger they can be,” said Nolan. “My mother was very involved with the community and she taught me to be proud of myself as a First Nations man and of our rich history.”

Rose Nolan passed away when Ted was 21, but the lessons she packed into their time together have remained with him.

He eventually established a non-profit organization so he could continue recognizing and assisting the accomplishments of young women.

Morning Bull said she feels she still has years to grow and learn. “I cannot wait to make the journey to finding who I’m meant to be, finding out what I’m going to do, and see where I end up in this journey of life. I appreciate the acknowledgement of the Rose Nolan award as it’s helping me to look forward to my future.”

Photo caption: Abby Morning Bull was one of seven women to receive the Rose Nolan Memorial Scholarship.