Ogimaa Indigenous Graduate Scholarship

A scholarship, valued at $10,000 will be awarded annually to an Indigenous student registered full time in any graduate program at the University of Waterloo, including affiliated and federated institutions of Waterloo. For the purpose of this award, an Indigenous person is one who is a citizen or member of a First Nations community (Status/Non-Status), Métis or Inuit. To protect the integrity of Indigenous graduate students eligible for specific funding, those identifying as Indigenous must be verified by the Office of Indigenous Relations at the University of Waterloo through the Indigenous verification process.

Eligible students must contact the Office of Indigenous Relations for the application form (application deadline is April 1). A selection committee within the Office of Indigenous Relations will select a recipient based on a combination of academic achievement, demonstrated connection and/or contributions to Indigenous communities through extracurricular and/or volunteer activities, as well as a statement wherein students are asked to describe what receiving this award would mean to them in their pursuit of post-secondary studies. This fund is made possible by a donation from Dr. Vivek Goel, the University of Waterloo’s seventh President and Vice-Chancellor.

In 2022, Dr. Goel was given the name “Ogimaa” by Elder and Indigenous Knowledge Keeper and former Chippewas of the Thames First Nation Chief, Myeengun Henry during an Indigenous Commitment Ceremony symbolizing a new beginning on the path towards a genuine understanding of Indigenous issues. The name “Ogimaa” means leader, and Dr. Goel hopes that this new scholarship for Indigenous graduate students will help pave the way for new leaders of tomorrow.