Indigenous Scholarship allows Emily Antonio to discover ways she can contribute to her community
The Early Years Education Program student is one of three recipients of the Indigenous Undergraduate Scholarship in Education. The scholarship was established to reward the academic achievement of Indigenous students who are pursuing Education degrees in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba. Scholarships will be made available annually, beginning in 2023, undergraduate and the masters award is for $5,000 per year for two years.
“By receiving this scholarship, it alleviates the financial stress and worries I have with paying tuition. This scholarship also motivates and reassures me that I do have a place within the community and inspires me to try and discover more ways I can contribute to giving back to the environment that raised me,” says Antonio.
Each recipient is chosen based on their academic achievement, community engagement and demonstrated experience with Indigenous education as volunteers, supporters or promoters of Indigenous peoples and issues.
“I currently sit on the Indigenous Education Council and it has been such a pleasure to meet and collaborate with others regarding the face of Indigenous Education at the University of Manitoba. Now, I am sitting alongside my mentor teacher on our school’s Indigenous Knowledge Keepers committee with aim of bringing in Indigenous Knowledge into the school and surrounding community,” Antonio says. “I was introduced to the Seven Sacred Teachings in elementary school, and this knowledge followed me through into university. I did not take my first Indigenous Education course until my first year within the Faculty of Education, but I am extremely grateful I did. Enrolling in this course introduced me to several new teaching resources and provided me with additional perspective on the previous Indigenous knowledge I already had.”
Antonio chose to study Education because she loves working and collaborating with others. “Being a teacher involves having to collaborate with those of a spectrum of ages and abilities. I also desire to give back to my community. My teachers always supported and inspired me to learn, create, and discover. This is something that I hope to return to the community by educating our next generation of leaders.”