Indigenous students are redefining success in higher education by turning barriers into opportunities. They emphasize that scholarships for Indigenous students extend beyond financial aid to prioritize community wisdom and resilience. The Alberta Blue Cross® Indigenous Scholarship Program aims to address the inequities faced by Indigenous Peoples in our community.
Roots of resilience: Grounded in Indigenous heritage and community
Among this year’s recipients of the Indigenous Scholarship, Santana Manywounds, Katarina Tinqui, Courtney Webber and Roberta Disbrowe embody the spirit of resilience and cultural pride in their educational journeys.
Santana, a social work student from Tsuut’ina Nation, connects her heritage to her studies through the art of beadwork. “My Indigenous heritage means histories of knowledge that predates the written word,” she reflects. This connection to her culture helps her mindset while navigating academic challenges.
Katarina, a Tlicho Dene student, actively engages her community and inspires local youth to pursue education. “I’m proud to be Indigenous,” she shares, “and I’ll continue to learn my language while practicing the Dene Laws.” Her commitment to education is evident in her involvement with Northern Youth Abroad, where she encourages students to keep striving for their goals.
Courtney, from the ‘Namgis First Nation, is dedicated to empowering Indigenous youth and students. She reconnects with her culture while studying business administration. “My experience in administration and high-level volleyball led me to pursue business administration,” she explains. “I hope to run a nonprofit that supports Indigenous youth in sports.” Courtney’s scholarship has relieved her financial burden, allowing her to focus more on her education without the constant worry of money.
Meanwhile, Roberta, a child and youth worker, underscores the importance of cultural continuity. “My Indigenous heritage is important, and it’s vital that I immerse my son in our culture,” she shares. By grounding herself in traditional practices, like smudging and attending cultural gatherings, she finds strength and purpose as she guides vulnerable youth.
Together, their stories reveal the profound impact of cultural identity and community on their paths to success.
Systemic challenges for Indigenous students
The journey of Indigenous students is often marked by profound systemic barriers that shape their educational experiences. These challenges include financial constraints, cultural disconnection and intergenerational trauma, all of which impact their ability to thrive in academic settings.
Financial support for Indigenous students
Many Indigenous students face significant financial constraints that limit their access to education. This financial insecurity often results from generational economic impacts of colonization, where Indigenous communities have been marginalized and deprived of economic opportunities. Limited resources lead to increased financial burdens compared to non-Indigenous peers, creating stress that distracts from their studies.
Courtney reflects on this, saying, “The scholarship has alleviated my financial burden, allowing me to focus more on my education and training without the constant worry of money.” The pressure of debt and limited access to resources can overshadow their academic achievements, making it challenging to continue with higher education.
Indigenous perspectives in higher education
Many institutions have historically been designed to marginalize Indigenous knowledge and heritage. A sense of belonging is deeply meaningful to our nature as people. However, these academic environments often lack the cultural supports necessary for Indigenous students to feel welcomed and valued. In contrast, the concept of Two-Eyed Seeing blends Indigenous and Western perspectives, to consider and value different views.
“My Indigenous heritage means histories of knowledge that predates the written word.”
Santana Manywounds
Santana highlights the need for cultural acknowledgment and Two-Eyed Seeing, within academic contexts. Working in spaces that can feel unfamiliar, or unwelcoming adds an additional layer of complexity to their educational journey. When we understand and balance Indigenous and Western ways of thinking, we’ll see the world in a deeper way. In other words, we the draw strengths and information from each perspective and can build stronger relationships.
Breaking intergenerational trauma
Intergenerational trauma continues to be a significant hurdle for many Indigenous students. The lasting impacts can still be seen today. For instance, the residential school systems sought to erase Indigenous cultures and languages through control and assimilation. This trauma creates cycles of educational and social disruption that affect not only individuals but entire communities. Roberta is acutely aware of this reality, stressing the importance of immersing her son in their teachings. By sharing her experiences and values with her son, she aims to break the cycles of trauma perpetuated by prior generations.
Personal resilience in the face of challenge
Each of the scholarship recipients embody a commitment to their cultural identities and community empowerment, as a result of their worldviews. Above all, their journeys serve as a powerful message, showing how traditional knowledge, a sense of belonging and cultural continuity are vital pathways to resilience and healing.
Santana’s experience is a testament to this strength. After taking time off to support her mother through illness, she returned to her studies with a renewed sense of purpose. “I must be intentional with my thoughts and actions,” she reflects, noting the mindfulness she practices through her beadwork. This practice not only reinforces her cultural identity but also helps her navigate her academic life.
Living away from her community, Courtney passionately embraces her Kwakwaka’wakw identity while focusing on gaining skills in business administration. Similarly, she draws strength from her heritage and desire to create opportunities for future generations. For instance, Courtney hopes to run a non-profit that supports Indigenous youth in sports.
As a result of her practice of smudging and participating in cultural gatherings, Roberta finds healing and peace. “I want to be a stable figure for youth, providing guidance and support,” she explains. “Being around round dances and pow wows help me feel a sense of peace.” In short, by grounding herself in traditional practices, she creates a nurturing environment for her family and encourages others to embrace their heritage.
Together, these scholars illustrate various ways Indigenous youth can also demonstrate resilience in the face of challenges, using their personal experiences to empower themselves and others.
Indigenous scholarships: More than financial support
The Indigenous Scholarship Program has an impact beyond financial assistance. For instance, the scholarship lessened Santana’s financial stress, allowing her to focus more time on her degree in Social Work. Katarina feels similarly, mentioning that with this support, she can concentrate on her impact and take part in community initiatives.
Courtney echoes their sentiments, expressing gratitude for the support. “This scholarship has positively affected my life as I am trying to break cycles and bring myself out of poverty, so that I can help youth confined by similar circumstances.” With reduced pressure, she can follow her educational goals while aiming to uplift others. Her focus on leadership for youth and athletic aspirations reinforces her identity and her sense of belonging.
Community vision for lasting change
The aspirations of these scholarship recipients extend beyond personal achievements. They envision a future where their education serves as a tool for breaking cycles of trauma. Santana aims to work in community addictions or family planning, dreaming of promoting healthy lifestyles within her community. She hopes to give back the wisdom she gains through her education. “Beadwork promotes growth, strength, adversity, identity and belonging,” she states. “It is a reminder that despite colonization and its lasting effects, we are still here practicing our culture.”
Katarina passionately encourages high school students to pursue post-secondary education, much like her peers. Her involvement with Northern Youth Abroad reflects her commitment to creating pathways for Indigenous youth. “I want to inspire them to see the value of education,” she shares.
“You are meant to break cycles of intergenerational trauma and create lasting, positive change for your home community.”
Katarina Tinqui
Courtney’s goal is to establish a non-profit that supports Indigenous youth in sports, drawing on her experiences to empower the next generation. “I want to ensure that youth have the opportunities I lacked,” she affirms. Roberta’s long-term vision involves guiding vulnerable youth, emphasizing her commitment to cultural continuity.
Similarly, their visions reflect a commitment to leadership and community empowerment. By pursuing their education and embracing their identities, these students have grown as Indigenous leaders and are poised to make a lasting impact in their communities. Santana shares advice for the next generation of Indigenous students to “not be shy, scared, or guilty for taking up space. Take as much as you need.”
Investing in communities
Supporting Indigenous education is an investment in our collective future. Our scholarships for Indigenous students work to address the education inequity faced by Indigenous Peoples in Alberta. Scholarship recipients are selected by an external committee with expertise in academia and Indigenous education.
By providing culturally responsive scholarships, mentorship programs both on and off campus and systemic support for Indigenous students, we amplify Indigenous voices, leadership and community. Every scholarship is a planted seed of possibility, watered by community support and nurtured by individual determination. We can’t wait to see what these students accomplish and are proud to support their growth.
The Alberta Blue Cross® Indigenous Scholarship program will open for new applications on September 9, 2025. Learn more about our Indigenous scholarship, encourage others to do the same and be sure to submit your application by January 27, 2026.
Edited with permission from scholarship recipients. Thank you to all of our applicants and to Santana, Katarina, Courtney and Roberta for taking the time to share their stories with us.
