In 2020, Graham started a three-year partnership with Indspire, an Indigenous national charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people for the long-term benefit of students, their families and communities, and Canada. From 2020 – 2023, Graham is committed to donating over $30,000 to help provide scholarships to Indigenous students.
We talked with two Indigenous students who received our bursary about how it will help them reach their educational goals. Here’s what they had to say:
Meet Kortney
Kortney is a third-year Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Manitoba. Her interest in Mechanical Engineering started at a young age as she was inquisitive to seek out how things worked, which led to an aptitude for problem solving and an ability to think outside the box. As a young Metis woman, Kortney says Graham’s bursary will help achieve her educational goals and allow her to represent young Indigenous women in engineering.
“I am honoured, and grateful to have been chosen as a recipient for Graham’s award. This bursary allows me the opportunity to focus exclusively on my studies, as well as supporting me to meet my education goals. I aspire to empower other young Metis women, to pursue academics in STEM. Once again, thank you Graham for your generosity.”
After graduation, Kortney plans to pursue a career in Mechanical Engineering and make her mark on the industry as a young Indigenous woman.
Meet Kyle
Kyle is a third-year Civil Engineering student at the University of Alberta. From a young age Kyle has been interested in learning about his Cree heritage and the importance of respecting the Elders in his Indigenous community.
As he grew older, he discovered his passion for Civil Engineering – specifically in infrastructure and environmental preservation. He wants to help preserve national parks by creating overhead wildlife crossings in Alberta. Kyle says the bursary from Graham will not only help him pursue his educational goals, but will also help him make a positive impact on the environment when he graduates.
“Thank you, Graham, for your immense generosity. This scholarship has already been an incredible help to fund my education. It will be put directly toward my tuition in paying for my civil engineering degree which I plan to use to help make our communities and environment a better place.”
After graduation, Kyle plans to continue his education with law school and write the law school admission test in the summer. However, he intends to still pursue his passion for engineering to help build stronger, safer communities across Canada.
