Southern Chiefs Organization announces new health-care scholarships [Video]

A new partnership will give 150 awards worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to help First Nations students pursue careers in health care.

The Southern Chiefs’ Organization announced it has partnered with the Business Council of Manitoba and the Province of Manitoba to give $450,000 over a five-year period to help students from SCO member nations pursue post-secondary education in health care.

The money will flow through the Business Council of Manitoba’s Indigenous Education Awards, which has given out 3,300 awards totalling over $8 million since its inception in 2001.

“First Nations youth are brilliant, inquisitive and creative. Unfortunately, many do not have the opportunity to achieve their full potential or fulfill their dreams as economic barriers stand in the way,” said SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels at a news conference Tuesday.

Business Council of Manitoba member Larry Vickar (left), SCO Grand Chief Jeff Daniels, and Minister of Advanced Education …