The 2019 Indspire Awards, held recently in Calgary, Alta., provided inspiration for Indigenous young people and serve to educate all Canadians about the tremendous contributions that Indigenous people are making across the country.
Rio Tinto, a sponsor of Indspire’s Soaring: Indigenous Youth Empowerment Gathering, had a kiosk where employees presented Rio Tinto activities and work opportunities. As well, a workshop, entitled “Rio Tinto, a world of possibilities” with Lisa Grant, past recipient of a Rio Tinto Award and now a Rio Tinto employee was held during the day.
“Education is important and vital to our First Nations communities’ futures,” said Grant. “With hard work, dedication and persistence our younger generations can gain a higher education and give our community a voice in industry.”
Rio Tinto Award for Indigenous Students
Rio Tinto – in conjunction with Indspire – contributed $1 million to the creation of the Rio Tinto Award for Indigenous Students, administered through Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures program. That contribution was matched by Ottawa, providing a total of $2 million in bursaries for Indigenous students.
Since 2015, the award has funded more than 1,300 Indigenous students. Ninety three per cent of the students who Indspire supports graduate, ready to “realize their incredible potential and be leaders in the community.”
The award prioritizes students in science, technology, engineering and math disciplines but is also available more broadly to students in any discipline including trades, and is available to students of any age pursuing post-secondary education, including adult learners.
Of note, past recipient Lisa Grant is a member of the Heiltsuk and Git’ga’at First Nation on Canada’s West Coast. Grant is now a communities and communications advisor at Rio Tinto.
The Rio Tinto Award – made possible by the Rio Tinto Aluminium Fund Canada – aims to “generate value in our host communities in alignment with our business strategy and goals.” Since its creation in 2008, the fund has invested over $10 million annually in major projects and initiatives to improve quality of life in the regions where we operate.
Other First Nations organizations supported by Rio Tinto, include: Pathways to Education in Mashteuiatsh, Quebec and the Breakfast Clubs in Northern British Columbia.
Rio Tinto Award for Indigenous Students
Rio Tinto – in conjunction with Indspire – contributed $1 million to the creation of the Rio Tinto Award for Indigenous Students, administered through Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures program. That contribution was matched by Ottawa, providing a total of $2 million in bursaries for Indigenous students.
Since 2015, the award has funded more than 1,300 Indigenous students. Ninety three per cent of the students who Indspire supports graduate, ready to “realize their incredible potential and be leaders in the community.”
The award prioritizes students in science, technology, engineering and math disciplines but is also available more broadly to students in any discipline including trades, and is available to students of any age pursuing post-secondary education, including adult learners.
Of note, past recipient Lisa Grant is a member of the Heiltsuk and Git’ga’at First Nation on Canada’s West Coast. Grant is now a communities and communications advisor at Rio Tinto.
The Rio Tinto Award – made possible by the Rio Tinto Aluminium Fund Canada – aims to “generate value in our host communities in alignment with our business strategy and goals.” Since its creation in 2008, the fund has invested over $10 million annually in major projects and initiatives to improve quality of life in the regions where we operate.
Other First Nations organizations supported by Rio Tinto, include: Pathways to Education in Mashteuiatsh, Quebec and the Breakfast Clubs in Northern British Columbia.
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