CONNECTING YOUR POST SECONDARY EDUCATION TO THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES YOU NEED
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Six NIEEF Scholarship Recipients announced for 2022!
Each is awarded $3,000 to help them continue with their studies. Please read their stories...
Jessica Boucher-Cowie
Métis in Winnipeg
Masters of Development Practice: Indigenous Development
University of Winnipeg
Read Jessica's story!
Daniel Nychuk
Manitoba Métis Federation
Masters of Development Practice: Indigenous Development
University of Winnipeg
Read Daniel's story!
Amber Balan
Métis in Winnipeg
Masters of Development Practice: Indigenous Development
University of Winnipeg
Read Amber's story!
Ethan Coe
Odanak - Abenaki First Nation in Quebéc
Business Accounting
Algoma University - Sault Ste. Marie
Read Ethan's story!
Nathan Breitenbach
Zagime Anishinabek First Nations in Saskatchewan
Shannon School of Business
Cape Breton University (CBU)
Read Nathan's story!
Wynonna Smith
Piikani Nation in Alberta
Indigenous Governance Business Management (IGBM)
University of Lethbridge
This Award generously supported by Plains Midstream
Read Wynonna's story!
More scholarships now available through NIEEF for 2023!
NIEEF Scholarships for 2023.
Six (6) awards of $3,000 each.
Deadline for 2023: August 31!
The National Indigenous Economic Education Foundation (NIEEF) is a charitable organization of Cando providing scholarships, training and research funding to students involved in Indigenous community economic development.
Apply Today!
The NIEEF Indigenous Scholarships ($3,000 each) will be awarded to 6 successful applicants.
Including
One Plains Midstream Canada - NIEEF Scholarship ($3,000) will be awarded to a student successful applicant based in Alberta.
Selection is based on passing Grade 12 marks or post secondary GPA (Grade Point Average). Please review eligibility requirements carefully.
Eligibility Requirements
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Priority will be given to students enrolled in one of the Cando accredited institutions
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Must be a current Cando Student member
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Attending or currently enrolled as a full-time student in a post-secondary institution
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Proof of Indigenous ancestry
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Studying in the fields of: Business Administration / Economics, Business Finance, Business Management, Natural Resources or CED
To qualify for this scholarship, please submit the following:
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Completed NIEEF Scholarship Application Form
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Cover letter outlining a personal introduction, educational level achieved to date and your community involvement
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A copy of the most recent official transcripts
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Proof of current enrolment
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Two (2) Letters of Support
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Essay describing career goals & aspirations
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Proof of Indigenous Ancestry
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Completed Cando Student Membership Form ($25+applicable taxes)
Deadline for 2023: August 31!
Email/mail completed scholarship application to:
NIEEF Scholarship Application
c/o Cando
9635 - 45 Ave, Edmonton, AB T6E 5Z8
Phone: 780.990.0303
Toll Free: 1.800.463.9300
Fax: 780.429.7487
Email: Geraldine.Potts@edo.ca
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NIEEF partners with CIBC to create
the CIBC NIEEF
Indigenous Scholarship Program
delivered by Indspire
for 2019 - 2022 & 2023
This new initiative will provide $44,000 in awards
annually for eight (8) years.
Many of the awards provide funds to a student over multiple years.
Yearly Application deadlines:
February 1 - August 1 - November 1
More information: indspirefunding.ca/cando
Please see list of 2020, 2021, 2022
CIBC NIEEF Scholarship recipients profiled here!
2022 NIEEF Scholarship Recipients
Recipients announced fall 2022...
Jessica Boucher Cowire
Métis in Winnipeg
Masters of Development Practice: Indigenous Development
University of Winnipeg
Read Jessica's story!
Daniel Nychuk
Manitoba Métis Federation
Masters of Development Practice: Indigenous Development
University of Winnipeg
Read Daniel's story!
Amber Balan
Métis in Winnipeg
Masters of Development Practice: Indigenous Development
University of Winnipeg
Read Amber's story!
Ethan Coe
Odanak - Abenaki First Nation in Quebéc
Business Accounting
Algoma University - Sault Ste. Marie
Read Ethan's story!
Nathan Breitenbach
Zagime Anishinabek First Nations in Saskatchewan
Shannon School of Business
Cape Breton University (CBU)
Read Nathan's story!
Wynnona Smith
Piikani Nation in Alberta
Indigenous Governance Business Management (IGBM)
University of Lethbridge
This Award generously supported by Plains Midstream
Read Wynnona's story!
CIBC NIEEF Scholarship for 2021/22
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Indigenous scholarship recipient recommends students apply for all opportunities
Joshua Peepeetch has some advice he’d like to pass on to fellow post-secondary students. Especially Indigenous ones.
When it comes to scholarship opportunities, Peepeetch, a member of Zagime Anishinabek First Nation in Saskatchewan, is recommending to apply whenever possible.
“I recommend every single student apply for them, especially if you’re low income,” said Peepeetch, a 26-year-old who is a third-year business administration student at the University of Regina.
Peepeetch heeded his own advice and applied for the Indigenous Scholarship Program. He ended up being one of eight recent scholarship recipients.
The Indigenous Scholarship Program is a joint venture between the CIBC and the National Indigenous Economic Education Fund, the charitable organization of Cando.
Read Joshua's full story!
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Aspiring executive director returns to college to further education
A desire to secure some more lucrative jobs led to Deanna Cunningham becoming a student again.
Cunningham, a 34-year-old Metis woman, had graduated from her high school studies in High Prairie, Alta., when she was 18.
She was able to find some steady employment over the years.
“I’ve done a lot of administrative work,” she said. “But I felt I was getting passed up for jobs because I didn’t have that diploma.”
In order to try and secure herself a better future and have an opportunity to land better positions, Cunningham opted to return to school.
Read Deanna's full story!
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Métis student returns to post-secondary studies following lengthy pause
A decade after beginning her post-secondary career, Brandi Delaine once again finds herself in school pursuing her university degree.
Delaine, who is Metis, had commenced business administration classes at the University of Winnipeg back in 2011.
But after one year of studies, Delaine did not have the financial needs necessary to continue with her program.
“I didn’t qualify for funding or student aid,” she said.
As a result, Delaine entered the workforce. Up until 2017 she was employed working with special needs adults.
But an incident in which she was run over by a truck that year forced her into a lengthy rehabilitation process.
Read Brandi's full story!
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Métis student a repeat recipient of the Indigenous Scholarship Program
Though he’s now in his second year of post-secondary studies, Quintin Helm has only really been experiencing the full university life for the first time during the 2021-22 academic year.
Helm, a 19-year-old member of the Metis Nation of Alberta, is a finance student at the University of Calgary.
But during his first year of university studies, Helm remained in his hometown of Okotoks, located about 50 kilometres south of Calgary.
That’s because Helm’s courses were only offered online, instead of in-person, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
His second year of university life has been much more enjoyable now that he has moved to Calgary for his studies.
“Being in person has helped me have a social life,” Helm said.
Read Quintin's full story!
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Indigenous finance student garners scholarship for second consecutive year
For the second straight year Kineisha Eagle Bear received a significant financial boost to assist her while she pursues her university degree.
Eagle Bear, a member of Kainai Nation in Alberta, is in her final year of finance studies at the University of Lethbridge.
The 26-year-old single mother, who has a six-year-old daughter named Nova, had originally hoped that she would graduate from the university in December of 2021.
“Because of the pandemic, they didn’t offer as many classes,” she said of her school. “Some classes weren’t offered in the summer. So, the requirements I needed by December didn’t pan out.”
Eagle Bear is now hoping to complete all of her degree requirements on time this April. But another obstacle arose for her in February.
That’s because University of Lethbridge faculty went on strike on Feb. 10 since they have been without a collective agreement for almost 600 days.
Read Kineisha's full story!
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Métis man on verge of completing college course following significant career change
Now more than ever Wyatt Draycott is feeling content with a major life decision he made.
Draycott, who lives in Cold Lake, Alta., had spent 20 years working as an industrial surveyor. He was even in charge of his own company during the last five years in that field.
But Draycott, a 47-year-old member of the Metis Nation of Alberta, gave up his career in February of 2020 in order to return to school.
Draycott is now in the final months of being a student in the two-year Natural Resources Technology Program, offered at Portage College in Lac La Biche.
The school is about a 90-minute drive from his home. He’s spent a good chunk of his second year living in a dorm at the school and returning home on weekends.
“I’m comfortable with what I’m doing,” Draycott said. “I’ve gained a lot of knowledge.”
Read Draycott's full story!
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Janine Gladue on verge of obtaining a major educational achievement
She’s almost there.
Janine Gladue, a 32-year-old member of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation in Alberta, is close to finishing off all the requirements necessary to earn her university degree.
Gladue is in her final year of studies of the four-year business management program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). She’s expected to graduate in May of this year.
“It’s a pretty big deal,” said Gladue, one of seven children that her mother had. “I’ll be the first one in my family to get a university degree.”
And for the second year in a row, Gladue is part of another prestigious group. She’s one of eight recipients of the Indigenous Scholarship Program.
The program is a joint initiative between the CIBC and the National Indigenous Economic Education Fund, which is Cando’s charitable organization.
The Indigenous Scholarship Program is a four-year venture, which was launched in 2019 and continues until 2022.
Read Janine's full story!
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Karen MacDonald proving it’s never too late to further one’s education
It’s never to late to fulfill one’s wishes.
Just ask Karen MacDonald.
Though she is 57, MacDonald was in recent months finishing up her requirements to obtain her Master’s degree in business administration from the University of Calgary.
MacDonald, a member of Thunderchild First Nation in Saskatchewan, believes it’s better late
than never to return to school in order to further one’s education.
And it’s not as if she didn’t want to do it before now.
“I missed the opportunity to do it earlier in my career,” MacDonald said. “A lot of people encouraged me but I had this self-doubt.”
MacDonald decided there was no point in waiting any longer and made the decision to return to school. And not just to help herself.
Read Karen's full story!
2021 NIEEF Scholarship Recipients
Recipients announced fall 2021...
Katherine Rempel
Métis in Winnipeg
Masters of Development Practice: Indigenous Development
University of Winnipeg
Read Katherine's story!
Delilah Mah
Keeseekoose First Nation in Saskatchewan
Master of Business Administration in Community Economic Development
Cape Breton University
Read Delilah's story!
Kelly Fiddler
Waterhen Lake First Nation in Saskatchewan
Masters in Business Administration
Cape Breton University
Read Kelly's story!
Nathan Crow
Kainai Nation in Alberta
Indigenous Governance and Business Management
University of Lethbridge.
This Award generously supported by Plains Midstream
Read Nathan's story!
To read about past NIEEF Scholarship recipients, click here.
More information:
Geraldine Potts
Email: Geraldine.Potts@edo.ca
Phone: 780.990.0303 ext 221
Toll Free: 1.800.463.9300 ext 221
