Descriptions of awards for Indigenous students

Awards

Read through the award descriptions below to determine what you may be eligible for, and what documentation is required to apply.

Alfred and Joan SCOW First Nations Bursary [#8218]

Bursaries totalling $3,600 have been endowed by Judge Alfred and Joan Scow and the University of British Columbia for First Nations students in any year and program of study.

Angus RAE Indigenous MD Bursary [#8570]

Bursaries totalling $5,200 are offered annually by Dr. Angus Rae to support Indigenous MD students in financial need. Adjudication is made by Enrolment Services.

CANNON Memorial Bursary [#7924]

This fund was established by the family and friends of the late Dr. G. Harry Cannon who was a member of the Faculty of Education and who devoted much of his life to Development Education and latterly, the education of Indigenous students. Bursaries totalling $1,000 (normally, awards will not be less than $250 each) are awarded to Indigenous students (Status or Non-status) who have completed at least one undergraduate year and are enrolled in the Faculty of Education. Recipients must have a good academic standing and need financial assistance.

Clarence Ludwig MUSCLOW Bursary [#8144]

A $3,850 bursary has been endowed by the estate of Clarence Ludwig Musclow. The bursary is offered to a British Columbian First Nations student studying First Nations culture, history, language or any other topic which will help preserve the history and culture of First Nations people.

Douglas C. Pryke Memorial Bursary [#8691]

Bursaries totalling $1,950 have been made available through an endowment established by Valerie Pryke, along with matching funds from the University of British Columbia, to First Nations, Inuit, or Métis students of Canada enrolled in any undergraduate program. Douglas C. Pryke graduated from UBC Chemical Engineering in 1973, embarking on a 40-year career in the pulp and paper industry. His expertise in the pulp bleaching process was known worldwide, supported by many published articles and with a focus on environmental concerns. He was the founding executive director of the Alliance for Environmental Technology and a fellow for the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI). Doug was known for his laughter and impeccable integrity, as well as his great love of music, golf and white-water canoeing. The bursary is adjudicated by Enrolment Services.

Evan ADAMS Health Sciences Bursary [#8259]

Bursaries totalling $1,350 have been endowed from the proceeds of the film premier of "Smoke Signals" and The University of British Columbia in honour of Evan Adams, lead actor. The award is offered to First Nations students in undergraduate programs in health sciences or human services.

FACULTY of Arts Indigenous Bursary [#3011]

Bursary funds totalling $240 have been made available to support Indigenous students in the Faculty of Arts in temporary financial need due to unforeseen circumstances that affect their ability to continue their studies. Bursaries are adjudicated by Enrolment Services in consultation with academic advisors for Indigenous students within the Faculty of Arts Academic Advising Services.

FIRST Nations House of Learning Bursary [#8273]

Bursaries totalling $3,100 have been endowed for First Nations students in any program and year of study.

Gladys C. CRAWFORD First Nations Bursary [#8317]

Bursaries totalling $14,800 have been endowed through a bequest by Gladys Caroline Crawford for First Nations students in any year or faculty.  Wherever possible, funding is distributed to students enrolled in a wide range of programs at the University.  The awards are made by application to Enrolment Services.

Gladys C. CRAWFORD First Nations Scholarship [#697]

Scholarships totalling $13,000 have been endowed through a bequest by Gladys Caroline Crawford for First Nations students in any year or faculty.  Wherever possible, funding is distributed to students enrolled in a wide range of programs at the University.  The awards are made by application to Enrolment Services.

Gwyn and Aileen GUNN Bursary for First Nations Students [#8405]

Bursaries totaling $26,200 have been endowed through a bequest from Gwyneth M. Gunn for First Nations students in need of financial assistance.

Jessie MANNING Bursary for Indigenous Students [#7893]

A $900 bursary has been endowed by Mrs. V. Z. Manning to assist Indigenous students. Preference is given to non-status Indigenous students in the Indigenous Teacher Education program.

KHOT-LA-CHA Award [#681]

Awards totalling $1,050, in honour of Chief Khot-La-Cha, Dr. Simon Baker, of the Squamish Nation, have been endowed by Dr. Verna J. Kirkness, the University of British Columbia and friends. The awards are offered to First Nations students working with or guided by First Nations Elders in their studies. The awards are made on the recommendation of the appropriate Faculty, in consultation with the First Nations House of Learning.

KNIGHT Family Centenary Scholarship for Indigenous Students [#1442]

Scholarships totalling $1,450 have been endowed by Dr. Ursula H. Abbott (nee Knight) for British Columbian Indigenous students who have achieved good academic standing and are in need of financial assistance. Adjudication is made by Enrolment Services.

Laura (Pat) BAND and Richard W. Band Award [#1401]

A $600 award has been endowed through a bequest by Richard W. Band for a woman student from  Squamish, Fort Langley or Cheam First Nations who has completed at least 30 credits of previous course work with at least a 75% average. Candidates must have a demonstrated record of past service and volunteerism on campus or in the community. The award is made by application to Enrolment Services.

Mary and James FYFE-SMITH Memorial Bursary [#7804]

Through a bequest of the late Florence Fyfe-Smith, three bursaries of $1,300 each are awarded to Indigenous students entering or in attendance respectively; as to the first, in the School of Social Work and Family Studies or Nursing, as to the second in the Faculty of Education and as to the third, in the Peter A. Allard School of Law. In the event that there is no student eligible for any of the three bursaries in any year, the income accruing for the bursary is to be accumulated until there is a student eligible or an additional bursary may be awarded to a student in the other school in which the first bursary was not awarded.

Native Brotherhood of BC Jubilee Scholarship [#1272]

A $1,300 scholarship was established in 1990 by the Native Brotherhood of B.C. on the occasion of its 60th year. The award is made to an undergraduate First Nations student from a B.C. coastal community and is open to students studying in the arts or sciences. The scholarship is adjudicated by Enrolment Services.

Robin Woodsworth CAMPBELL Memorial Bursary [#7303]

Bursaries totalling $3,900 have been endowed by the estate of Henry (Harry) C. Campbell in memory of his son, Robin Woodsworth Campbell (1949-2002), for undergraduate students who are family descendents of Interior Salish, Coast Salish, Northern Coast or Wakashan language groups.  Born in France at Neuilly-sur-Seine, Robin Campbell made his career as an artist on Hornby Island, B.C., working mainly in bronze, stone and clay sculpture. The awards are made on the recommendation of Enrolment Services.

Roy Sworder First Nations Bursary [#8460]

Bursaries totalling $1,950 have been endowed by Eileen Sworder in memory of her late husband, Roy Sworder, for First Nations students in the Faculty of Forestry.  The awards are made available to undergraduate students in any year of study.

Shirley M. WONG Bursary in Education [#7348]

Bursaries totalling $5,600 have been endowed by Dr. Shirley M. Wong, Associate Professor Emerita of Curriculum Studies, whose lifelong and tireless commitment to education, particularly of the underprivileged, is inspiring.  The bursaries are awarded to Indigenous students in the Faculty of Education who have achieved good academic standing and are in financial need.

Simon MULDOE Memorial Bursary [#8049]

The friends and colleagues of Simon Muldoe, with the participation of his family, have endowed a bursary of $1000 in his memory. The bursary is awarded on the basis of need, with first preference given to an Indigenous student in the School of Social Work and Family Studies. If no suitable candidate is identified in that program, the bursary will be given to an Indigenous student in any other UBC program.

SQUAMISH Nation Award [#687]

A $450 award has been endowed by the Squamish Nation Education Department and The University of British Columbia. The award is offered to a Squamish Nation student in any program or year of study who has demonstrated University or Squamish Community activity. The award is made by application to the First Nations House of Learning.

ST. Mary's Anglican Church First Nations Bursary [#8270]

Two bursaries of $1,000 each are offered by St. Mary's Anglican Church, Kerrisdale, for Indigenous students in the Faculty of Arts or Science.

Thomas R BERGER Bursary in Law [#8245]

A $1,150 bursary has been endowed by family, friends and colleagues in honour of Thomas R. Berger, O.C., Q.C. on the occasion of his 65th birthday. The award is offered to a First Nations student in the Peter A. Allard School of Law.

UNIVERSITY Women's Club of Vancouver Bursary for First Nations Students [#7876]

The University Women's Club of Vancouver provides three bursaries of $3,000 each to be awarded to an Indigenous woman student by nomination of the First Nations House of Learning Scholarship and Bursary Committee.

Wilson DUFF Memorial Bursary [#7830]

One or more bursaries of $1,400 are available to students in the field of Indigenous history and culture. The award pays tribute to Professor Wilson Duff, who worked extensively with B.C. Indigenous peoples as Curator of Anthropology at the Provincial Museum, Victoria, as well as Professor of Anthropology at UBC. In making the award, preference is given to students of Indigenous ancestry.

Active Earth Engineering Ltd. Award for Indigenous Students in STEM [#5442]

Awards totalling $2,500 have been made available annually through a gift from Active Earth Engineering Ltd., for First Nations, Inuit, or Métis undergraduate students enrolled in a STEM program who have achieved good academic standing. Active Earth Engineering Ltd. established this award to encourage Indigenous students interested in studying a STEM discipline. The awards are made on the recommendation of the First Nation House of Learning and Enrolment Services.

Native Northwest Award for Musqueam Students [#1472]

Awards totalling $2,000 have been made available annually through a gift from the Native Northwest Reconciliation Fund for Musqueam undergraduate and graduate students who have achieved good academic standing. Financial need may be considered. Native Northwest was founded by Larry Garfinkel (B.A. 1975, B.S.W. 1977) and Sandi Karmel (B.S.W. 1977) in 1983 and creates products and books for children that feature the work of Indigenous artists. The Native Northwest Reconciliation Fund supports justice for those who continue to be impacted by Residential Schools by funding initiatives such as community wellness, learning, and connection to culture. The awards are made on the recommendation of Enrolment Services.

Additional resources

If you have questions

The Indigenous Student Support and Advising Team in Enrolment Services works closely with other teams on campus, including the following:

About Enrolment Services

From the beginning of your UBC journey until graduation, Enrolment Services Advisors are here to make sure you get the support you need when you need it, helping you:

  • Create a financial plan
  • Understand the different funding options
  • Develop a scholarship or award application 

All undergraduate students have an assigned Enrolment Services Advisor for personalized advising. If you do not have an assigned advisor, you can email the Indigenous Advising Team (es.indigenous@ubc.ca) for help.

Contacting the team