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The Manitoba government has increased funding for the Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative (MSBI) by $500,000, expanding opportunities for Indigenous students to access post-secondary education.
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Premier Wab Kinew made the announcement at the Business Council of Manitoba’s Indigenous Education Awards ceremony on Wednesday.
“Every day that I head up the steps to the legislature and get to work, I measure our government’s success by how many more Manitobans have an opportunity to build a good life,” said Kinew. “I want to congratulate the hard-working award recipients and thank the Business Council of Manitoba for being a partner and sharing our vision of connecting more Indigenous students with opportunities to participate in Manitoba’s economy.”
The MSBI is designed to provide scholarships and bursaries to Manitoba students based on merit and financial need, with the goal of removing financial barriers to education.
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“I’m thrilled that increased funding for the Indigenous Education Awards program means more students in Manitoba are able to pursue post-secondary education,” said Advanced Education and Training Minister Renée Cable. “Our government will continue to take action on increasing access to post-secondary education for all Manitobans.”
Jesse Steckley, director of Indigenous Education Awards and Work-Integrated Learning, said this initiative has a broad impact.
“Investing in the Indigenous Education Awards goes beyond simply funding education. It is an active participation in reconciliation and an investment in a future workforce in Manitoba that is inclusive, diverse and representative of the people who live here and their unique perspectives,” Steckley said.
The increase in funding also allows for a matching contribution from the Manitoba government, doubling the support provided by the Business Council of Manitoba. This partnership has resulted in 400 awards being given this year, a 100% increase over the previous year.
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