New funds to help Indigenous students

A new bursary fund and emergency fund will provide supports for Indigenous students at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax.

The $1-million fund is financed through a $500,000 donation from Scott McCain and Leslie McLean and a further contribution of $500,000 from the university.

The Scott McCain and Leslie McLean L'nu Student Success Bursary Fund will support full-time undergraduate Indigenous students across all programs at MSVU through renewable bursaries and an L'nu Emergency Fund, according to a news release.

The bursaries will focus on supporting students facing financial barriers and will be renewable for up to four years.

The L'nu Emergency

Fund will provide support to Indigenous students facing financial needs due to unforeseen circumstances. These could be emergency housing, travel, child care, or technology needs.

“We are deeply grateful to Scott and Leslie for their very generous gift in support of Indigenous students at MSVU,” Ramona Lumpkin, interim president and vice-chancellor of MSVU, said in the release.

“Theirs is a deep commitment to removing barriers to education, in particular for Indigenous students.

And it's a commitment that aligns well with MSVU's dedication to ensuring opportunity and a supportive experience for Indigenous students.”

McLean, who is also a member of the MSVU board of governors, said she and McCain were inspired by the university's commitment to Indigenous learners and communities.

“In addition to ensuring bursary supports, we recognize that unexpected financial needs can arise in other areas of students' lives which can have an impact on their abilities to continue their studies,” McCain said.

“It is our hope that the new L'nu Emergency Fund will help address those financial challenges for Indigenous students.”

Samantha Rioux, Indigenous alumna

of MSVU, program officer, Public Health Agency of Canada, and part-time instructor in child and youth study at MSVU, said access to postsecondary education is an important stepping stone for Indigenous youth.

“Having access to education not only supports one's own ambitions, but also supports the greater community,” Rioux said.

“Obtaining a post-secondary education comes with complex barriers, one being financial. Today's announcement of new bursaries will help Indigenous youth to achieve their postsecondary goals.”

During a news conference held at the Mount, Patrick Small Legs-Nagge, special adviser on Indigenous affairs at the university, said these funds will help students remain hopeful.

“We want our students to be hopeful in life, which starts with their time on campus,” Small Legs-Nagge said.

“They're hopeful for success in their studies and their personal lives and they want careers that will enable them to continue to be hopeful after their time at the Mount.”