From WawatayNews.ca

Aboriginal business students eligible for $3,000 awards

July 10, 2014 - Rick Garrick - Wawatay News

Aboriginal business students across Canada are now eligible for 188 $3,000 HSBC Indigenous Business Award scholarships over three years thanks to Indspire and HSBC Bank Canada.

"Indigenous business students have a vital role to play in shaping the economic futures of their communities and Canada as a whole," said Roberta L. Jamieson, president and CEO of Indspire. "But in order to succeed, they need to complete their studies, so we are thrilled that HSBC Bank Canada is demonstrating their support of Indigenous business students with such a strong commitment."

Made possible by a $300,000 charitable contribution from HSBC Bank Canada and matching funds from the federal government, the scholarships will be awarded by Indspire to Indigenous undergraduate students studying business at post-secondary institutions across Canada.

"HSBC currently offers six permanently endowed awards for Indigenous students at colleges and universities across Canada - but we want to do more," said Paulo Maia, president and CEO of HSBC Bank Canada and executive sponsor of HSBC's Indigenous Canadian Employee Resource Group.

"Through our commitment to Indspire, we aim to help Indigenous youth achieve their full potential."

Lack of financial resources is the number one barrier for Indigenous students to complete their post-secondary education, according to research conducted by Indspire. The 2011 Statistics Canada National Household Survey found that only 10 per cent of Indigenous students acquire a university degree.