Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

TORONTO – TD Bank Group (TD) and AFOA Canada are pleased to announce the 25 recipients of the TD Scholarship for Indigenous Peoples. This inaugural roster of successful applicants includes students from communities coast to coast.

This program is tailored specifically for students from Indigenous communities, providing financial support towards post-secondary education towards the students’ chosen career aspirations.

“We are proud to support students on their journey towards achieving their academic goals for their chosen career path,” said Doris Bear, Vice President of Indigenous Banking at TD Bank Group. “The TD Scholarship for Indigenous Peoples provides students from Indigenous communities with financial support to explore the benefits of a post-secondary education as well as summer work experience offers.”

This scholarship program, which launched in November 2022, is managed by AFOA Canada, a not-for-profit led by Indigenous Peoples.

“We believe the TD Scholarship for Indigenous Peoples will be transformational in the lives of the students,” said Terry Goodtrack, President and CEO of AFOA Canada. “It can help set them up for success towards achieving their academic goals for their chosen career path.”

“I’m excited to be a recipient of the TD Scholarship for Indigenous Peoples, and not just about the financial support during my studies, but also the valuable opportunities that I will be exposed to,” said Blaise Arkle, a recipient who will be attending Mount Royal University in Calgary in September. “I’m especially looking forward to the networking opportunities that the award will open up for me.”

Each of the 25 successful applicants will receive $10,000 per year for up to four years to cover tuition costs, as well as an additional $5,000 per year for up to four years to cover living expenses. Recipients will also be offered summer internship opportunities with TD to gain valuable work experience, aligned with their career aspirations. The summer internship opportunities will be available to these scholarship students throughout their time as a scholarship recipient. These students will also receive an offer for full-time employment after the successful completion of their studies.

The scholarship is available to students who are members/citizens of a First Nation, Métis, or Inuit community. Applicants must be permanent residents of Canada and have applied for or are currently enrolled in a full-time, minimum two-year program with an approved post-secondary institution in Canada.

TD and AFOA Canada will hold a celebration for the 25 successful applicants in August.

This year’s recipients are*:

Andrea Yellow-Horn, Piikani First Nation, AB

Blaise Arkle, Métis Nation of Manitoba, MB

Chantisse Smoke, Fishing Lake First Nation, SK

Chett Monague, Chimnissing (Beausoleil First Nation), ON

Cheylyne Murphy, Métis Nation of British Columbia, BC

Danielle Adjun, Kugluktuk, NU

Elizabeth Raine, Maskwacis (Louis Bull Tribe), AB

Hayden Yaremko, Métis Nation of Manitoba, MB

Jaden McGregor, Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation, ON

Jesse Muckle, Witset First Nation, BC

Jrayanna Voyageur, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, AB

Justin Long, Métis Nation of British Columbia, BC

Kaitlyn Gaudon, Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation, NL

Katelyn Kalai, Coral Harbour, NU

Keyanna Hansen, Buffalo Narrows, SK

Kianna Bear-Hetherington, Sitansisk (St. Mary’s First Nation), NB

Lana-Maude Boucher, Métis Nation of Ontario, ON

Larashia Falcon, Red Pheasant Cree Nation, SK

Rebecca Kragnes, Métis Nation of Alberta, AB

Sasha Merasty, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, SK

Sophie David, Métis Nation of Manitoba, MB

Sydney Allison, Oshkigmong (Curve Lake First Nation), ON

Taylor Campbell, Wikwemikong First Nation, ON

Tina Houle, Saddle Lake Band & WhiteFish Lake First Nation, AB

*There are 25 recipients. However, at the time of issue, only 24 recipient names were available for publication.

Visit TD or AFOA Canada to learn more about this year’s recipients and for complete information about the TD Scholarship for Indigenous Peoples, including eligibility requirements. Applications for 2024 scholarships will be available online starting September 2023.