RBC invests in students' futures
RBC awards scholarships to five Canadian Aboriginal students
TORONTO, May 4, 2006 — For the 12th consecutive
year, RBC Financial Group is awarding five students with a
scholarship through its Aboriginal Student Awards Program.
The annual scholarship provides $4,000 for a maximum of four
years at university, or for two years at community college.
"At RBC, we believe that receiving a formal education
is just the beginning of a lifetime of learning and opportunity,"
said Charles Coffey, RBC's executive vice-president of Government
Affairs and Business Development. "It is our hope that
our contribution will encourage and help these students to
achieve their dreams and to lead happy and productive lives."
In addition to the scholarship, recipients of the award who
are interested in pursuing careers in the financial services
industry are considered for summer and post-graduate employment
opportunities with RBC.
To date, 69 scholarships totaling $834,000 have been awarded
to Aboriginal Peoples in Canada. Selections are made by an
independent committee of academics from the aboriginal community
and are based on personal and academic achievements as well
as individual financial need.
This year's RBC Aboriginal Student Awards winners
are:
Carole Tessier - Sudbury, Ontario
Carole, a Métis, is currently studying medicine at
the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and very involved
with the Midwifery Education Program at Laurentian University.
Carole has a strong desire to contribute and improve the lives
of those in Northern Ontario as an Aboriginal, bilingual,
family physician. As a university student, she received a
Laurentian University Admission Scholarship and was on the
Dean's honor list for the duration of her midwifery undergraduate
degree. As part of the student government for the Northern
Ontario School of Medicine (Laurentian University), she helps
organize community-based activities. She is also a member
of the Academic Council which manages and directs the medical
education program of the university. Carole is actively involved
in the Métis Nation of Ontario as the woman's representative
on her local council. She is married and has one child.
Jessica White Cow - Pincher Creek, Alberta
Upon the completion of her Business Administration Program
at Lethbridge Community College, Jessica plans to pursue an
accounting major at the University of Lethbridge. A member
of the Piikani Nation, a Blackfoot confederacy tribe, Jessica
is actively involved with the Napi Friendship Centre in Pincher
Creek, and for three years, was a member of the Napi Youth
Council. As part of the Youth Council, Jessica participated
in the Canada Youth Exchanges Program. Jessica won gold in
the 2004 Summer Games as a member of the Napi Co-ed Slo pitch
team; and in her final year playing in the Piikani Midget
Girls Hockey Club, was named the highest scoring defensemen
in the Central Alberta Hockey League - Female Midget division.
Once she has achieved her personal and professional goals,
Jessica would like to move back to her community to work and
to volunteer with youth.
Brittney Francis - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Brittney, a Mi'kmaq of the Millbrook band, has always dreamed
of attending university. Her goal is to earn a Bachelor of
Arts degree from Acadia University, and to obtain post-secondary
education in either law or physiology. Brittney is proud of
her heritage and active in her local community. She especially
enjoys participating in Aboriginal Day and events held by
the Friendship Centres.
Harvey Richards - The Pas, Manitoba
Harvey, a husband and father of nine, is working to achieve
his degree in education from Brandon University. He has served
his community in many capacities and was, until his return
to university, a police officer. He hopes his own children
will learn the importance of education and understand how
it can empower them, and provide more opportunities for their
future. Harvey is an Opaskwayak Cree.
Peter Eppinga - Mission, British Columbia
Peter's dream is to become the first Haida doctor to practice
on his home reserve in Old Masset and Skidgate. He believes
that by achieving his own dream, he can demonstrate to other
Aboriginal youth that anything is possible. Peter has a number
of interests besides medicine, including: his family, playing
chess and soccer, and going to Church. Proud of his heritage,
Peter performs Haida dances, and is learning the Haida language.
He recently finished his degree in Kinesiology at the University
College of the Fraser Valley in BC. In September he will be
going to medical school at the University of British Columbia.
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For more information, contact:
Kathy Bevan, Media Relations, (416) 974-8810
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