Aboriginal students will share more than $1M in awards for college and university education this year.

VICTORIA, Dec. 6, 2016 /CNW/ - More than 300 Aboriginal post-secondary students in BC will benefit from over $1 million distributed by the Irving K. Barber British Columbia Scholarship Society this year.

The Society has granted just over $1.12 million to 384 Aboriginal students in BC to support their studies at post-secondary institutions throughout the province.

The Society's Aboriginal Student Awards program is funded from the returns on an endowment fund established by the Province of British Columbia. It was created to assist in removing barriers to higher education for Aboriginal peoples. Awards of $1,000 to $5,000 each are issued every year through a competitive process to students studying at all post-secondary levels, from trades training to doctoral programs.

"Irving K. Barber scholarship awards are assisting 384 Aboriginal students to advance their education, build careers and take their place as community leaders," said Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson. "Aboriginal youth are the fastest growing demographic in British Columbia, and they are an important part of building a strong, skilled workforce in our province." 

"The Award has changed a lot for me," notes award recipient Julia Thielman, a Metis student studying at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, "because it has helped me manage many pressing financial obligations, and being a law student is very expensive."

"Ike Barber recognized the untapped potential of British Columbia's aboriginal youth," says Society Chair Ray Gandhi, "and the society that bears his name is pleased to facilitate, in some way, the educational advancement of these very deserving students."

The Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society provides scholarships and awards to students attending public post-secondary institutions throughout the province and internationally. Since its inception, nearly $12 million has been distributed to BC students from its six scholarship and award programs. The Victoria Foundation provides administrative support to the Society.

Editors Please Note: A list of 2016 Aboriginal Student Award recipients can be found attached to this release and at http://www.ikbbc.ca/web/news.

BC Aboriginal Student Award

Hometown	Student Name	Institution
108 Mile Ranch	Ian Heales	University of Northern British Columbia
150 Mile House	Alex Elliott	College of New Caledonia
150 Mile House	June Lulua	Thompson Rivers University
Abbotsford	Raynah McIvor	University of the Fraser Valley
Abbotsford	Whitley Point	University of the Fraser Valley
Alkali Lake	Stacey Johnson	Thompson Rivers University
Bella Bella	Desiree Lawson	Vancouver Island University
Brooks - AB	Cody Kaskamin	University of British Columbia
Burnaby	Ivan Klemetsrud	BC Institute of Technology
Burnaby	Meagan Wilson	Native Education College
Burnaby	Austin Whitney	Simon Fraser University
Burnaby	Denbigh MacIntosh	Simon Fraser University
Burnaby	Dylan Whitney	University of British Columbia
Burnaby	Lisa Orton	Simon Fraser University
Burns Lake	Joan Conlon	University of Northern British Columbia
Burns Lake	Johnathan Alec	University of Northern British Columbia
Campbell River	Carolyn Hebenton	North Island College
Campbell River	Melissa Aydon	North Island College
Campbell River	Jessie Stirling	University of British Columbia
Campbell River	Jackson Stirling	University of Victoria
Campbell River	Ryan Hutton	University of Victoria
Chase	Darci Phillip	Thompson Rivers University
Chase	Natasha Billy	Thompson Rivers University
Chase	Melpatkwa Matthew	University of British Columbia
Chilliwack	Rudy Langstaff	University of British Columbia
Chilliwack	Aaron Pete	University of the Fraser Valley
Chilliwack	Alisha Tushingham	University of the Fraser Valley
Chilliwack	Douglas Day	University of the Fraser Valley
Chilliwack	Jeanette LaBerge	University of the Fraser Valley
Chilliwack	Jennifer Janik	University of the Fraser Valley
Chilliwack	Nicholas Point	University of the Fraser Valley
Chilliwack	Madison Krulicki	University of Victoria
Clinton	Serena Ambler	University of British Columbia
Comox Valley	Natallia Gagne	North Island College
Courtenay	Arielle Vanbergen	North Island College
Courtenay	Cheryl  L. Aro	University of Victoria
Courtenay	Darryl Harsch	University of Victoria
Courtenay	Keenan Andrew	University of Victoria
Cranbrook	Alexis Vitaliano	Vancouver Island University
Cultus Lake	Kiana Olafson	University of British Columbia
Dawson Creek	Tanaya Rudolf	Camosun College
Duncan	Jocelyn Benji	University of British Columbia
Duncan	Jaulie LeBlanc	Vancouver Island University
Duncan	Lianne MacWatt	Vancouver Island University
Duncan	Lindsay Myers	Vancouver Island University
Enderby	Tia Felix	University of British Columbia
Fauquier	Brier McLean	Camosun College
Fauquier	Kiara McLean	Thompson Rivers University
Gabriola Island	Willam Linden Hoover	University of Victoria
Gibsons	Karlene Ostrosky	University of Victoria
Gitsegukla	Christine Bryant	University of Northern British Columbia
Gitwinksihlkw	Christina Bolton	Wilp Wilhooskw Nisgaa Institute
Grasswood, SK	Karra Pierce	Western College of Veterinary Medicine
Hanceville	James Smith	Camosun College
Hinton - AB	Riley Bertoncini	University of British Columbia
Houston	Taylor Johnson	Vancouver Island University
Hudson's Hope	Cindy Martin	University of Northern British Columbia
Kamloops	Erica Krauseneck	BC Institute of Technology
Kamloops	Hillary McLean	Thompson Rivers University
Kamloops	Jacqueline Mattice	Thompson Rivers University
Kamloops	Jonathan Barron	Thompson Rivers University
Kamloops	Marina Troke	Thompson Rivers University
Kamloops	Michael Wesley	Thompson Rivers University
Kamloops	Nicki Wolfenden	Thompson Rivers University
Kamloops	Shenise Sigsworth	Thompson Rivers University
Kamloops	Victoria Booth	Thompson Rivers University
Kamloops	Olivia Wale	University of British Columbia
Kelowna	Aaron Forsyth	Okanagan College
Kelowna	Bliss Ducharme	Okanagan College
Kelowna	Emilie Lougheed	Okanagan College
Kelowna	Richelle Wells	Okanagan College
Kelowna	Tina Miller	Okanagan College
Kelowna	James Williams	University of British Columbia
Kelowna	Julia Thielmann	University of British Columbia
Kelowna	Sarah Jacknife	University of British Columbia
Kelowna	Sasha Platz	University of British Columbia
Kelowna	Brandon Redford	University of British Columbia
Kelowna	Jade Cowan	University of British Columbia
Kelowna	Jesse Lafontaine	University of British Columbia
Kelowna	Julian Eustache Fortier	University of British Columbia
Kelowna	Kari Barge	University of British Columbia
Kelowna	Kennedy Pederson	University of British Columbia
Kelowna	Leah Haldane-Robinson	University of British Columbia
Kelowna	Nathan Sletten	University of British Columbia
Kelowna	Shenay Craig	University of British Columbia
Ladysmith	Terry Fox	University of Victoria
Ladysmith	Courtney Chanin	Vancouver Island University
Lake Country	Cara Major	University of British Columbia
Lake Country	Nicole Skidmore	University of British Columbia
Langley	Sonia Bear	Capilano University
Langley	Cheyenne Cook	Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Langley	Nolan Chem	University of British Columbia
Lillooet	Kirsten Whitney	Emily Carr University of Art + Design
Lil'wat Nation	Muriel Pascal	Vancouver Community College
Logan Lake	Kyle Haggerty	Thompson Rivers University
Lumby	Amanda Neufeld	University of British Columbia
Mansons Landing	Carla Voyageur	Selkirk College
Maple Ridge	Michael William Vegh	Simon Fraser University
Maple Ridge	Rhea Loveless	Simon Fraser University
Maple Ridge	Emma Crawford	University of the Fraser Valley
Maple Ridge	Joseph Ledo	University of the Fraser Valley
Masset	Owen Harris	Douglas College
Merritt	Justine Manuel	Thompson Rivers University
Moricetown	Dustin Gagnon	Thompson Rivers University
Moricetown	Julie VanTunen	Thompson Rivers University
Morinville - AB	Noelani Avveduti	Camosun College
Mount Currie	Kamana Bikadi	Capilano University
Mount Currie	William Riley Pascal	Langara College
Nak'azdli Band	Charlotte  Munroe	Thompson Rivers University
Nanaimo	Chris Beaton	Vancouver Island University
Nanaimo	Jaime Stephens	Vancouver Island University
Nanaimo	Kaitlyn Lafontaine	Vancouver Island University
Nanaimo	Meagan Hiebert	Vancouver Island University
Nanaimo	Morgan Mowatt	Vancouver Island University
Nanoose Bay	Natasha Wawrykow	University of British Columbia
Nelson	Rochelle Pearson	Selkirk College
Nelson	Avery Kushner	University of Victoria
New Westminster	Brianna  Nault	Vancouver Community College
North Saanich	Shannon Evans	Camosun College
North Saanich	Mataya Jim	University of Victoria
North Vancouver	Randall Phillips	Capilano University
North Vancouver	Luke Thomas	Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
North Vancouver	Michael Sandrin	Simon Fraser University
North Vancouver	Monique Auger	Simon Fraser University
North Vancouver	Dylan  Weyell	University of British Columbia
North Vancouver	Jodi Blanchette	University of British Columbia
North Vancouver	Jodie Nowell	University of British Columbia
North Vancouver	Melanie Nelson	University of British Columbia
North Vancouver	Zoe Friesen	University of British Columbia
North Vancouver	Michael Mucha	University of British Columbia
North Vancouver	Lorna Hanuse	University of Victoria
Parksville	Amy Parker	Vancouver Island University
Peachland	Esmae Rothfusz	University of British Columbia
Penticton	Janis Silverfox	Okanagan College
Penticton	Dezire Squakin	University of British Columbia
Penticton	Khalilikeh Joyce	University of British Columbia
Penticton	Averia DeBungie	University of British Columbia
Penticton	Karsten Burton	University of Victoria
Penticton	Rhea Dupuis	University of Victoria
Port Alberni	Karissa Rusel	Douglas College
Port Alberni	Jordan V. Nicholson-Mieras	North Island College
Port Alberni	Krystal Fairbanks	North Island College
Port Alberni	Samantha Barrowcliff	University of Victoria
Port Coquitlam	Karly Adair	Douglas College
Powell River	Troy Barnes	Vancouver Island University
Prince George	Jessie King	University of Northern British Columbia
Prince George	Tania Hink	University of Northern British Columbia
Prince George	Anna Gervais	Vancouver Island University
Prince George	Sara-Lynn Harding	University of Northern British Columbia
Prince Rupert	Joshua Kierce	BC Institute of Technology
Prince Rupert	Judy Carlick-Pearson	Royal Roads University
Prince Rupert	Aaron Grant	University of Northern British Columbia
Prince Rupert	Treena Decker	University of Victoria
Qualicum Beach	Ryan  Frederickson	Vancouver Island University
Quesnel	Telise Gauthier	University of British Columbia
Revelstoke	Amanda Jones	University of British Columbia
Richmond	Miles Jaques	University of British Columbia
Richmond	Simone Carriere	Vancouver Community College
Salmon Arm	Rylie Schuetze	Okanagan College
Salmon Arm	Alexa Ranahan	University of British Columbia
Skidegate	Khataya Brown	Simon Fraser University
Smith - AB	Montana Cardinal	University of British Columbia
Smithers	Heather Holland	College of New Caledonia
Sooke	Harrison Leblanc	Camosun College
Sooke	Lindsay Trowell	Royal Roads University
Squamish	Ashleigh Giffen	University of British Columbia
Summerland	Jordan Johnson	University of Victoria
Surrey	Tamara Bob	Langara College
Surrey	Carter Brown	Simon Fraser University
Surrey	Megan Rosso	Simon Fraser University
Surrey	Samantha Horth	Thompson Rivers University
Surrey	Caterina Marra	University of British Columbia
Surrey	Jennafer Wilson	University of British Columbia
Surrey	Jennifer Anaquod	University of British Columbia
Surrey	Susan MacDonald	University of British Columbia
Surrey	Somer Hoogenraad	University of British Columbia
Surrey	Jennifer Haggerty	Vancouver Community College
Surrey	Kody Pierce	Vancouver Community College
Telegraph Creek	Benjamin Chief	Camosun College
Trail	Santanna Hernandez	Selkirk College
Ucuelet	J. Hjalmer Wenstob	University of Victoria
Vancouver	Savanna Todd	Emily Carr University of Art + Design
Vancouver	Adella Zeller	Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Vancouver	Alix Andreychuk	Langara College
Vancouver	Jelise Friesen	Langara College
Vancouver	Stefan Engdahl-Keong	Langara College
Vancouver	Collen Louie	Native Education College
Vancouver	Angela Merasty	Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
Vancouver	Rhonda B. D. Bird	Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
Vancouver	Jordan Abel	Simon Fraser University
Vancouver	Nora Stogan	University of British Columbia
Vancouver	Alexa Dumaine	University of British Columbia
Vancouver	Bernadine Brown	University of British Columbia
Vancouver	Cayden Orallo	University of British Columbia
Vancouver	Danielle Sanford	University of British Columbia
Vancouver	Dawn Johnson	University of British Columbia
Vancouver	Dorothy Christian	University of British Columbia
Vancouver	Grant Sorensen	University of British Columbia
Vancouver	Julian Napoleon	University of British Columbia
Vancouver	Lucy Hache	University of British Columbia
Vancouver	Lyana Patrick	University of British Columbia
Vancouver	Rachelle MacDonald	University of British Columbia
Vancouver	Ryan Justin Tomm	University of British Columbia
Vancouver	Samuel Mann	University of British Columbia
Vancouver	Scott MacDonald	University of British Columbia
Vancouver	Stephanie Willsey	University of British Columbia
Vancouver	Tyler Desorcy	University of British Columbia
Vancouver	Willow Thickson	University of British Columbia
Vancouver	Haley Bain	Vancouver Community College
Vancouver	Nakiah  Shuquaya	Vancouver Community College
Vancouver	Omina Mehri	Vancouver Community College
Vancouver	Tasha Cory	Vancouver Community College
Vancouver	Vannessa Langlois	Vancouver Community College
Vancouver	Darryl Gray	Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
Vancouver	Jason Watt	Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
Vernon	Dexter Robert James	University of British Columbia
Vernon	Tikicia Joyce	University of British Columbia
Victoria	Janae Dunlop	Camosun College
Victoria	Jill Bowes	Camosun College
Victoria	Matthew Ambers	Camosun College
Victoria	Stephanie Thompson	Camosun College
Victoria	Isabella Kennedy	Douglas College
Victoria	Megan Clarkson	Royal Roads University
Victoria	Justice Kremler	Simon Fraser University
Victoria	Charlene Hickey	Thompson Rivers University
Victoria	Breshell Russ	University of Victoria
Victoria	Erynne Gilpin	University of Victoria
Victoria	Eva Gribbon	University of Victoria
Victoria	Gina Starblanket	University of Victoria
Victoria	Holly Reid	University of Victoria
Victoria	Jordan Thisdelle	University of Victoria
Victoria	Julianna Sayers	University of Victoria
Victoria	Kacie Poskitt	University of Victoria
Victoria	Karen Whetung	University of Victoria
Victoria	Kear Porttris	University of Victoria
Victoria	Korin Humchitt	University of Victoria
Victoria	Leanna Gruendel	University of Victoria
Victoria	Madelynn Slade	University of Victoria
Victoria	Natu Bearwolf	University of Victoria
Victoria	Rachel Linklater	University of Victoria
Victoria	Rita Merrick	University of Victoria
Victoria	Shaylyn Crisp	University of Victoria
Victoria	Shelina Point	University of Victoria
Victoria	Sterling-Rae King	University of Victoria
Victoria	Karle Zelmer	University of Victoria
West Kelowna	Austin Sandrin	Kwantlen Polytechnic University
West Kelowna	Danielle Douglas	University of British Columbia
West Vancouver	Kayla Uren	Simon Fraser University
Williams Lake	Lauren Mitchell	Thompson Rivers University
Williams Lake	LaRae Dolan	University of British Columbia
Williams Lake	Ashley Abercrombie	University of Northern British Columbia
Withheld	Withheld	Camosun College
Withheld	Withheld	Camosun College
Withheld	Withheld	College of the Rockies
Withheld	Withheld	Langara College
Withheld	Withheld	Langara College
Withheld	Withheld	Native Education College
Withheld	Withheld	Northern Lights College
Withheld	Withheld	Okanagan College
Withheld	Withheld	Simon Fraser University
Withheld	Withheld	Simon Fraser University
Withheld	Withheld	Simon Fraser University
Withheld	Withheld	Simon Fraser University
Withheld	Withheld	Simon Fraser University
Withheld	Withheld	Thompson Rivers University
Withheld	Withheld	Thompson Rivers University
Withheld	Withheld	University of British Columbia
Withheld	Withheld	University of British Columbia
Withheld	Withheld	University of British Columbia
Withheld	Withheld	University of the Fraser Valley
Withheld	Withheld	University of Victoria
Withheld	Withheld	University of Victoria
Withheld	Withheld	University of Victoria
Withheld	Withheld	Vancouver Community College
Withheld	Withheld	Vancouver Community College
Withheld	Withheld	Vancouver Community College
Withheld	Withheld	Vancouver Island University
Withheld	Withheld	Vancouver Island University
Withheld	Withheld	Vancouver Island University

BC Aboriginal Student Awards – Masters/Doctoral

Hometown	Student Name	Institution
Burnaby	Danette Jubinville	Simon Fraser University
Campbell River	Tanille Johnston	University of Victoria
Chilliwack	Adam Simpson	Royal Roads University
Coquitlam	Chris Macklin	Simon Fraser University
Coquitlam	Kelsey Kerr	University of British Columbia
Dawson Creek	Brettany Riemer	University of Northern British Columbia
Fort St John	Helen Knott	University of Northern British Columbia
Kelowna	David Lacho	University of British Columbia
Kelowna	Lisa Renaud	University of British Columbia
Kelowna	Allison Barton	University of Northern British Columbia
Lake Country	Carmen Chelick	University of British Columbia
Maple Ridge	Michelle Sam	University of British Columbia
Mission	Vivian Searwar	University of British Columbia
Nadleh Whut'en First Nation, Dakelh Territory	Michelle Walsh	Thompson Rivers University
Nak'azdli Band	Seraphine Munroe	University of British Columbia
New Westminster	Thomas Domingo	Simon Fraser University
North Vancouver	Angela Kermer	Royal Roads University
North Vancouver	Krista Stelkia	Simon Fraser University
North Vancouver	Andrea Lyall	University of British Columbia
Penticton	Denise Lecoy	University of British Columbia
Port Alberni	Layla Rorick	University of Victoria
Port Moody	Joshua Nichols	University of Victoria
Terrace	Christopher V. J. Severight	University of Northern British Columbia
Vancouver	Jennifer Smith	Royal Roads University
Vancouver	Michael Fabris	University of British Columbia
Vancouver	Rupert Richardson	University of British Columbia
Vancouver	Vanessa Fladmark	University of British Columbia
Vancouver	Debra Hoggan	Simon Fraser University
Vancouver	Sherri Springle	University of British Columbia
Vernon	Miranda Dalhuisen	University of British Columbia
Victoria	Braydi Rice	University of British Columbia
Victoria	Oliver Dann	University of British Columbia
Victoria	Darcy Lindberg	University of Victoria
Victoria	Lacey Flannagan	University of Victoria
Victoria	Mick Scow	University of Victoria
West Kelowna	Brenda Ridgeley	Royal Roads University
Withheld	Withheld	Simon Fraser University
Withheld	Withheld	University of British Columbia
Withheld	Withheld	University of Victoria
Yellowknife	Meagan Twissell	University of British Columbia

BC Aboriginal Teacher Education Award

Hometown	Student Name	Institution
Ahousat	Corissa Campbell	Vancouver Island University
Aldergrove	Jocelyn Weber	Thompson Rivers University
Alert Bay	Erica Hamilton	University of British Columbia
Campbell River	Ryan Chickite	Vancouver Island University
Duncan	Anne Pettet	University of British Columbia
Garibaldi Highlands	Kaiahtenhtas  Thompson	University of British Columbia
Hedley	Marissa Squakin	University of British Columbia
Merritt	Andrea McVean	University of Victoria
Nanaimo	Lacey Perrault	Vancouver Island University
Port Alberni	Samantha Jeffery	North Island College
Port Coquitlam	Matthew Montgomery	Douglas College
Prince George	Jeremy Pahl	University of Northern British Columbia
Prince George	Chantelle Daychief	University of British Columbia
Surrey	Carrie Mogollon	Simon Fraser University
Vancouver	Frank Joseph	University of British Columbia
Vancouver	Sara Violet Louie	University of British Columbia
Victoria	Dominique Rochefort	University of Victoria
Williams Lake	Travis Flaherty	University of British Columbia
Withheld	Withheld	University of British Columbia
Withheld	Withheld	University of Victoria

SOURCE Irving K Barber BC Scholarship Society

Image with caption: "Irving K Barber BC Scholarship Society (CNW Group/Irving K Barber BC Scholarship Society)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161206_C7818_PHOTO_EN_831953.jpg

Media contact: Rory Grewar, Program Director, Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society, Phone: [phone] | Email: [email protected]