The St. Kateri Tekakwitha Student Bursary (2024)

In the School District of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Indigenous students often face financial barriers that hinder their educational pursuits, from purchasing books to covering living expenses.

Recognizing this challenge, the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Student Bursary was established in 2023 with financial support from the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF).

Thanks to an additional IRF grant in 2024, the bursary is once again awarded to an Indigenous student at each of the three Catholic high schools in the district, as well as Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School. Recipients are chosen based on their dedication to promoting Indigenous culture and to living Indigenous Catholic teachings. Additionally, recipients must be planning to pursue further education at a college, university, or trades program.

By facilitating access to education, the bursary empowers students to develop skills that they can later bring back to their communities, contributing to the collective growth and resilience of Indigenous peoples.

Diocese of Thunder Bay