Brescia University College expands Indigenous scholarships through new partnership with Indspire

London, ON – In a commitment to providing additional financial support to Indigenous post-secondary students, Brescia University College is pleased to announce the formation of a new partnership with Indspire, a national Indigenous charity dedicated to investing in the education of Indigenous peoples across Canada. 

Launching in September 2021, Brescia will be providing $10,000 per year for a five-year period through the Indspire Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards program – totaling $50,000. This bursary program will provide two bursaries each year to remove financial barriers faced by Indigenous students with their university studies. 

“Distinct and diverse voices coming together is what makes Brescia such an incredible environment in which to learn, live and lead,” says Cheryl Jensen, Brescia Interim Principal. “By forging a new partnership with Indspire, not only are we providing a better pathway for Indigenous students interested in pursuing a Brescia education, but our campus community will become a richer and more inclusive place for all.”

Indspire will oversee, manage and distribute the awards, which will also leverage matching funds from the Government of Canada and other applicable donors. This matching process could double Brescia’s $50,000 donation over the next five years. 

Supporting access, as well as the academic and personal success of additional Indigenous students is a high priority for Brescia University College. The Indspire partnership strongly aligns with the University’s current strategic plan, “Inspiring the Next Century of Women Leaders,” by supporting new partnerships, continuing to attract tomorrow’s leaders and helping them to succeed in their studies– regardless of financial circumstances. 

Mike DeGagné, President and CEO of Indspire, said: “These new scholarships represent significant new opportunities for Indigenous learners to succeed, and we are excited about this new phase of our partnership with Brescia. It will ensure that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students feel supported and enabled to pursue their dreams at Brescia.”

To learn more about Indspire, or to apply for a scholarship, visit: indspire.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Brescia University College: Caitlin Core, Acting Manager, Communications, Marketing & External Relations at ccore@uwo.ca or Rhea Johnson, Acting VP Students at rhea.johnson@uwo.ca or 519-636-9408.

Indspire: Brandon Meawasige, Director, Communications & Marketing at bmeawasige@indspire.ca.  

About Brescia University College

Brescia University College, Canada’s women’s university college, is affiliated with Western University. The 1,600 women registered as either full- or part-time students at Brescia study a wide variety of subjects in the Schools of Behavioural & Social Sciences, Food & Nutritional Sciences, Humanities, and Leadership & Social Change in an empowering, compassionate, student-centred and invigorating environment. Degrees are granted by Western. As a Catholic University College, Brescia welcomes students from all backgrounds and values diversity. For more current and archived news, a listing of faculty experts, and photos please visit our Online Media Room, at brescia.uwo.ca/communications/media_relations.

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About Indspire

Indspire is an Indigenous national charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada. With the support of its funding partners, Indspire provides financial awards, delivers programs and shares resources so that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students will achieve their highest potential. In 2019-2020, Indspire provided more than $17.8 million through 5,553 bursaries and scholarships to First Nations, Inuit and Métis students across Canada.