First and foremost, this bursary seek to address systemic barriers to post-secondary education that Indigenous students face as a direct result of history and ongoing processes of colonization.
Set up by Renison’s Truth and Reconciliation Committee, the bursary further recognizes that Indigenous students actively involved on campus often do extra labour related to their Indigeneity and connections to community, both in our classrooms and as part of other university processes.
These bursaries are an effort to recognize that labour and to develop a committed and reciprocal relationship with Indigenous students that supports their aspirations and development, fosters their leadership, builds their connections and networks, and supports the contribution of their gifts, passions, and energies at Renison at beyond.
Any Indigenous student who has an affilation with Renison University College and is registered at the University of Waterloo, at either the undergraduate or graduate level, is eligible to apply. In allocating awards, the review committee will attempt to include students in as wide an array of academic programs aspossible, with preference given to students registered in Social Work, Honours Arts, and Social Development Studies.
For the purpose of this bursary, ‘Indigenous’ is defined to encompass those who identify as First Nations (status or non-status), Métis, or Inuit, and Indigeneity is understood as being a function both of self-identification and community connection.
