The Business Council of Manitoba is dedicated to actively participating in reconciliation through education and employment opportunities, addressing TRC Call to Action 92. ii. The Indigenous Education Awards (IEA) offers financial assistance to Indigenous students attending post-secondary education in Manitoba, providing a $3000 annual award to help alleviate financial barriers during the academic year. IEA recipients at 2024 IEA Celebration & Job Fair Championing Education and Career Development Established in 2001, the Indigenous Education Awards (IEA) has provided over 3000 Awards totalling more than $8 million to Indigenous students in Manitoba. The IEA is in proud partnership with The Winnipeg Foundation and the Government of Manitoba. The Business Council of Manitoba believes education is a right and a crucial element of personal development. The IEA offers financial support to Indigenous students who attend one of the recognized university or colleges in Manitoba to pursue the career goals of their choice. Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO), Business Council of Manitoba (BCM) and Province of Manitoba are partnering through the IEA beginning in 2025 for students pursuing careers in the health care field. Each year, up to 30 awards of $3,000 each will be awarded to recipients from SCO member Nations across a range of careers related to health care. Click here for more information on the collaboration. Who Qualifies? If you are of Indigenous ancestry, you are eligible to apply for the IEA provided you meet the following criteria: You are a citizen of Canada and permanent resident of Manitoba, having resided in Manitoba for the last 12 months You are attending or plan to attend one of the recognized post-secondary educational institutions in Manitoba in the upcoming year in any discipline (trades, business, science, general studies, etc.) You plan to maintain a full time minimum 60% course load You are in need of financial assistance If you are receiving funding from other sources, for example band funding, you may still apply for this Award to cover additional costs. QUESTIONS If you have any questions regarding your application please contact the Business Council of Manitoba at 204-942-3637 or bc*******@****************mb.ca Who Qualifies? If you are of Indigenous ancestry, you are eligible to apply for the IEA provided you meet the following criteria: You are a citizen of Canada and permanent resident of Manitoba, having resided in Manitoba for the last 12 months You are attending or plan to attend one of the recognized post-secondary educational institutions in Manitoba in the upcoming year in any discipline (trades, business, science, general studies, etc.) You plan to maintain a full time minimum 60% course load You are in need of financial assistance If you are receiving funding from other sources, for example band funding, you may still apply for this Award to cover additional costs. QUESTIONS If you have any questions regarding your application please contact the Business Council of Manitoba at 204-942-3637 or bc*******@****************mb.ca How to Apply If you are eligible to apply for a Business Council of Manitoba Indigenous Education Award for the 2026-2027 year, please apply online. Application Deadline is May 31 for each academic year APPLY ONLINE If you are unable to fill out the online application, please reach out to bc*******@****************mb.ca for a fillable PDF or assistance. PLEASE REMEMBER TO ATTACH: A copy of your most recent transcript or academic history A resume A photocopy of Treaty or Métis Card Selection Process All applications are screened based on the combined criteria of personal achievement, academic standing, financial need, community involvement, and market employment needs. Once you have submitted your application, you will be notified by email in late October if you have been selected. Award Distribution Each award ($3,000) is dispersed through your post-secondary institution. The timing of payments vary by school. Many Manitoba colleges and universities distribute the award in two installments, with half of the funds released at the end of the Fall term and the remaining half released at the end of the Winter term, typically after the Voluntary Withdrawal (VW) dates. Some institutions may instead release the full award amount after the Winter or Spring term. Recipients are encouraged to contact their post-secondary institution’s awards office for information regarding the timing and distribution of their award funds. As of the 2026-2027 academic year, students will only be required to maintain a 60% course load for one semester or term. If you are unable to continue your studies after the first semester due to personal, financial, health-related, or other circumstances, we will still honour your commitment to post-secondary education and provide the full $3,000 award—provided that you have met the eligibility requirements during that semester. This is a significant change from previous years, when students were required to maintain the minimum course load of 60% across both semesters or terms. Under the previous criteria, students who were unable to continue their studies for the remainder of the academic year could lose part or all of their award. AUTHORIZED MANITOBA POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS Assiniboine Community College Financial Aid & Awards OfficeStudent Services Centre1430 Victoria Ave. EastBrandon, MB R7A 2A9Phone: 204-725-8700 ext 6020Email: aw****@*********ne.net Booth University College Admissions Office447 Webb PlaceWinnipeg, MB R3B 2P2Phone: 204-924-4887Email: Admissions@BoothUC.ca Brandon University Scholarship and Awards Office119 McKenzie Bldg.270-18th StreetBrandon, MB R7A 6A9Phone: 204-727-9737Email: sc**********@******nu.ca Canadian Mennonite University Financial Aid & Awards Office500 Shaftsbury Blvd.Winnipeg, MB R3P 2N2Phone: 877-231-4570Email: fi**********@*mu.ca Yellowquill University College 480 Madison Street No.1, Winnipeg, MB R3J 1J1Phone: 204-953-2800Email: re*******@*********ll.org Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology Financial Aid and Awards130 Henlow BayWinnipeg, MB R3Y 1G4 Phone: 204-989-6512Email: st***********@**tt.ca Providence University College Financial Aid and Awards10 College CrescentOtterburne, MB R0A 1G0Phone: 204-433-7488 Red River College Polytechnic Student Service CentreRoom D101 2055 Notre Dame AvenueWinnipeg, MB R3H 0J9Phone: 204-632-2437Email: fi**********@*rc.ca Steinbach Bible College Department of Admissions50 PTH 12 NSteinbach, MB R5G 1T4Phone: 204-326-6451Email: in**@*******ge.ca Université de Saint-Boniface Registrar’s Office200 Avenue de la CathedraleWinnipeg, MB R2H 0H7Phone: 204-235-4408 University College of the North Financial Awards OfficerBox 3000The Pas, MB R9A 1M7Phone: 204-627-8517 University of Manitoba Financial Aid and Awards OfficeRoom 422 – University Centre Building65 Chancellors CircleWinnipeg, MB R3T 2N2Phone: 204-474-9531Email: aw****@*******ba.ca University of Winnipeg Awards and Financial Aid515 Portage Avenue 2Ri06Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9Phone: 204-779-8946 (UWIN)Email: aw****@*******eg.ca Frequently Asked Questions Can I apply if I am pursuing post-secondary education after a period of time away?+ Yes. The Indigenous Education Award recognizes that pathways to education are not always linear. Applicants who are beginning or returning to post-secondary studies after a period away are welcome to apply, provided they meet the current eligibility requirements. When do applications open?+ Applications typically open following the annual Indigenous Education Awards Celebration & Job Fair, which is held on the last Thursday of November each year. The application period opens for the following academic year, and the application deadline is generally May 31st. Applicants are encouraged to check the website and social media platforms regularly for the most up-to-date information and important dates. Can I apply for the Indigenous Education Award more than once?+ Yes. You are welcome to apply each year that you continue your studies and meet the eligibility requirements. Many students submit a new application annually throughout their post-secondary program. The Indigenous Education Award may be received multiple times, with students eligible to receive up to four awards over the course of their studies. Please note that receiving an award in a previous year does not always guarantee funding in future years. A new application must be submitted for each application cycle before the annual deadline of May 31st. What happens if my application is missing information or documents after the deadline?+ Applicants are encouraged to submit their application by the deadline, even if they are still waiting for certain information or supporting documents. If you are still waiting for documents such as a student ID number, transcript, or Status, Métis or Inuit card, submit your application by the deadline with the information you have available. Any outstanding documents can be provided later by email once they become available. Where can I stay updated about application details, events, and program updates?+ Follow the Indigenous Education Awards on social media for the latest applications updates, deadline reminders, program news, and event announcements. Our LinkTree provides access to all our social media platforms and other important resources. Facebook Instagram LinkedIn I wanted to extend a heartfelt thank you for the very generous award. Receiving the Aboriginal Business Council Award has made this year possible for me … I look forward to being able to complete my diploma in Power Engineering and will never forget the help I received to get there.– LUCAS JANSSON I am writing to express my eternal gratitude to the Business Council of Manitoba for the support given to me … The Aboriginal Education Awards … gave me so much more than monetary support. These Awards gave me stability when I needed it most … I even made the Dean’s honour list … I would love to eventually pursue my doctorate and teach at the Asper School of Business … Just knowing that there is a whole community of donors who want Indigenous students to succeed makes a world of difference.– JENNIFER MOOSE The scholarship instils much hope and means the world to have this type of support and belief from others that I can do this. The award is an honour and motivates me to keep moving forward … and fulfilling my lifelong desire of becoming a nurse. I am overjoyed with the support the Business Council has provided me with and I realize there are truly caring people in this world, who are there to help support student education.-LISA THOMAS I am very honoured and appreciative of being awarded a Business Council of Manitoba Aboriginal Education Award. Thank you so much for helping me to further my education and allowing me to pursue my goals.– FELICIA MANN It is very important that our Aboriginal peoples take our place as leaders in society. It is through opportunities like this that many of us will be able to follow our dreams to have a higher education …. and ensure the continuance of my career path in hopes of one day becoming a teacher … Thank you for giving me the best gift of all, an education.– KELSEY MCCALL Thanks to your help, many other Aboriginal students like myself are learning skills that will help us be successful in our chosen paths, and give back to the community.– KAITLIN LAYE Thank you for giving me the financial support to allow me to pursue my dream to become a teacher.– MICHELLE MCCKAY It is people like you, who help me to continue my studies and ultimately reach my dream. With greatest thanks.– CHEYENNE LAFRENIERE I was very honoured to have been chosen to receive this prestigious award, and want to convey my utmost gratitude to the Business Council of Manitoba for helping me further my education and pursue my goal of obtaining my Law Degree.– BRADLEY BOUDREAU Your commitment shows you care about the future of this province and the education of the Aboriginal community.– MATHLEU DURAN How to Donate Since the inception of our Awards program in 2001, our Business Council of Manitoba members have contributed funds each year to support post-secondary education of Indigenous Manitobans. This year, the Provincial Government has increased their funding match to 1:1. This means that for every dollar you donate, the government contributes an extra dollar. Every dollar contributed goes directly to the Award recipients. If you have any questions regarding donations, please call our Business Council of Manitoba office at (204) 942-3637. Thank you for supporting our Business Council of Manitoba Indigenous Education Awards. A donation of any amount may be made by using any of the following options: Donate Online To make a donation online, you can simply click on the link below. This link will take you directly to make a donation to our “Business Council of Manitoba Indigenous Education Awards” through the secure site of The Winnipeg Foundation using your credit card. Tax receipts are automatically generated when someone makes a donation online, with the exception of a recurring/pledge gift. Online Donation Donate by Cheque Donations can be made by cheques made out to “The Winnipeg Foundation” with “Business Council of Manitoba Indigenous Education Awards” indicated in the memo area. Tax receipts will automatically be sent to those making a donation by cheque. Cheques may be mailed to: The Winnipeg Foundation1350- One Lombard PlaceWinnipeg, MB R3B 0X3 Donate via Gift of Securities This link will take you directly to The Winnipeg Foundation website page providing all details required to make a donation to our Business Council of Manitoba Indigenous Education Awards via Gift of Securities. Gift of Securities link Award Recipients 2024-2025 AWARD RECIPIENTS HISTORY OF RECIPIENTS
