Canku Ota - A Newsletter Celebrating Native America
September 23, 2000 - Issue 19

Aboriginal Students to Receive Financial Support for Information Technology Studies

Xerox Canada's Aboriginal Scholarship Program helps send eight Canadians to university or college
Aboriginal Students to Receive Financial Support for Information Technology Studies


EDMONTON, Sept. 12 /CNW/ - The dream of an advanced education became reality for eight Canadian Aboriginal students today as Xerox Canada Ltd. announced the winners of its 2000 Aboriginal Scholarship Program. Winners
were honoured during a luncheon ceremony at the Provincial Museum of Edmonton.

The national program, created to support the advancement of Aboriginal people in the information technology sector and to promote business and educational opportunities among First Nations in Canada, awards eight $3,000 scholarships each year.

"Xerox Canada is proud of its longstanding commitment to the Aboriginal community and to education initiatives across Canada," said Cameron Hyde, president, Xerox Canada. "Our goal in supporting Aboriginal men and women is to create a talented pool of students who will become valued contributors to our nation's economy and share in the prosperity of the information age."

The scholarship recipients are Darin Hopegood, of Metis heritage from Radway, Alberta; Marc Lapointe, of Metis heritage, from Bonnyville, Alberta; Cole Nychka, of Metis heritage, from Beaverlodge, Alberta; Teresa Peters, of Sto'lo heritage and a member of the Seabird Island First Nation, from Agassiz, British Columbia; Elaine Brueckel, of Mikmaq heritage, from Truro, Nova Scotia; Michael Connors, of Chipewa heritage and a member of Mnjikaning First Nations, from Sudbury, Ontario; Shannon Samatte, of Metis heritage, from Cranberry Portage, Manitoba; and Robert Swanson, of Cree heritage and a member of Norway House Cree Nation, from Norway House, Manitoba.

Established in 1994, the Xerox Canada Aboriginal Scholarship Program provides financial support for aboriginal students pursuing studies related to the information technology fields such as computer or mathematical sciences, engineering or business administration at a university or college. Each scholarship is awarded for as many as four
years for university programs and three years for college programs, provided the recipient is enrolled in his or her program for a subsequent year.

Winners were selected by a committee of Xerox Canada executives and Aboriginal leaders who evaluated applicants based on:

  • The degree to which the applicant's post-secondary studies will lead to a career in information technology;
  • Leadership or role model qualities demonstrated through community involvement and extracurricular activities; and
  • Prior academic achievement.

In addition to the Scholarship Program, Xerox Canada supports the advancement of Aboriginal peoples through several corporate commitments and initiatives. They include internships, financial and in-kind donations, employee recruitment and cultural awareness training.


 

 

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