Indigenous Students
Support as you study
We provide opportunities to help further your academic and professional development.
We welcome Indigenous people who are seeking education and employment opportunities to get in touch about post-secondary funding and career experiences with us. Through meaningful work experiences across our organization, financial supports, and mentorship, we’re here to support your goals.
Help funding your future
We help remove barriers through our Indigenous Scholarship and Bursary Program, providing access to education for Indigenous students in our communities.
The scholarship and bursary is awarded to outstanding Indigenous students from B.C. First Nations or Indigenous permanent residents of B.C. looking to enroll or are enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution, in a program that matches a career at First West.
Created in 2021 the Scholarship and Bursary Program is driven by the leadership of First West CEO, Launi Skinner, whose dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging continues to create new opportunities for under-represented groups in our communities. Since inception, $74,000 has been awarded to 31 students who are pursing their purpose, like recent recipient Koal; read their story below.
Recipients of a scholarship or bursary may also participate in our Indigenous student mentorship program, during which they are matched with a member of our Indigenous Peoples Circle to further their education and personal development and have opportunities to share their experience.
To apply, contact the scholarship and bursary department at your school to ask if they are partnered with us.
Schools and community organizations interested in offering the scholarship, please get in touch.
Resilience and determination to build a career
Meet Koal, a final-year accounting major at Okanagan College in Kelowna, preparing for an exciting new chapter in Red Deer to pursue his CPA. Originally from a small town outside Saskatoon, Koal has embraced opportunity throughout his life, from working summers in the Yukon to transferring schools for a better fit. As a pitcher for the Okanagan Coyotes, he balances his academic interests and athletic passions with ease, helped by the Indigenous Scholarship and Bursary from First West. He describes the award as transformative, allowing him to focus on his goals without financial stress. Koal looks forward to a bright future in accounting and growing his career with continued resilience and determination.
Get in touch
Let us know how we can help
If any of the Indigenous funding or mentorship activities here interest you, please contact our Talent Attraction Specialist (DEIB), Danya Shima.
You may also be interested in learning about student internship and co-op opportunities at First West.
A connected community
The Indigenous Peoples Circle at First West
Indigenous Employee Network Groups (IENGs) hold a unique and vital position to support career and personal development, contributing to a more inclusive workplace. The Indigenous Peoples Circle at First West aims to celebrate and nurture culturally safe spaces through learning, advocacy, and awareness, positively impacting local communities, land, and people. This team member run group prioritizes Indigenous voices, ensuring they are always represented in discussions and decisions.
The group’s approach is not based on a single Indigenous identity but highlights the diverse experiences of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.
Guiding principles:
- Visibility: Advocating for Indigenous participation and leadership in various roles and increasing their representation.
- Cultural diversity: Understanding and supporting the varied traditions and experiences within Indigenous communities.
- Cultural safety: Committing to learning and unlearning through shared connections and respect.
- Intentionality: Acting mindfully and purposefully, considering the impacts of actions and intentions.