2022 Recipient Stories

2021 Recipient Stories

Below are some inspiring messages of gratitude sent by past recipients of New Relationship Trust Foundation Scholarships and Bursaries.

Download the 2021-22 Scholarship & Bursary Recipients Brochure

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Andrea Medley – Old Massett Village Council

Master of Public Health | Johns Hopkins University
First Nations Health Authority Masters Award Recipient

Andrea (Jaad ahl’ K_iigangaa), is from the Dadens Yahgu ‘laanas Raven Clan, Haida Nation. She is passionate about harm
reduction, community-led health initiatives, Indigenous cultural safety, and reproductive justice, and has worked with Indigenous communities across Turtle Island facilitating conversations about harm reduction, substance use and sexual wellbeing. Andrea has a background in public health and Indigenous health, specifically public health programming, policy and education, and is currently a Master of Public Health candidate at Johns Hopkins University.

Jonathan Cardinal – Esk’etemc

Squamish Nations Training & Trades Centre | Introduction to Construction Worker
BC Council of Forest Industries Bursary Award Recipient

My name is Jonathan Cardinal. I am a proud Esk’etemc First Nation member and I have struggled for thirty-one years to find and build myself. Although I was born in Vancouver, I was raised in foster care all over the province. My goal is to become a Red Seal Electrician, build my own business, and bring benefits to my First Nations community. This is a five-year journey that combines formal coursework with on-the-job training. The first step in pursuing this career is the Introduction to Construction Program which gives me an overall understanding of all trades. I am an active person interested in professional challenges at all times, and the complexity and the continuous challenge in the trades field are what fascinates me and what I love most. My community takes pride in any of its members who do their best to advance and better themselves, learn skills that will help the community, and pass on knowledge and examples to the generations to come. My education will able me to provide for my family, raise kids and teach them the importance of getting an education.

Samantha Allen – Neskonlith Indian Band

Bachelor of Business Administration | Vancouver Island University
BC Land Title and Survey Authority Undergraduate Award Recipient

Samantha Allan ri7 ren skwekwst. Sk’Emtsin te Secwepemc re st’e7e7kwen. Te Snuneymuxw re mumt-wen. Samantha Allan is Neskonlith from the Secwepemc Nation and lives on the traditional unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw People. She is a third-year Bachelor of Business Administration student at Vancouver Island University majoring in Management and minoring in Indigenous Studies. From 2020-2021 Samantha served as the Provincial Sales Coordinator for Motive, Word, & Pen, a B.C.-based, youth-founded, non-profit writing collective that worked to elevate the platforms of locally owned businesses. For 2021-2022 Samantha has been serving as the Project Lead for VIU’s Co-Curricular Record, the university’s official non-academic transcript, and she has been appointed to the Youth Advisory Board at REES, a simple, secure, Canadian and woman-owned online platform for reporting sexual violence at post-secondary institutions. On campus, Samantha is a ‘Su’luqw’a’ Community Mentor for VIU’s Indigenous student population, and she has been appointed to both the VIU Senate’s Indigenous Commitments Committee & the Sexual Conduct Education Response Committee. Yiri7 stsuks. Kukwstsétsemc.

Brittany Morrison – Kispiox Band Council

Bachelor of Science | University of British Columbia
New Relationship Trust Foundation Undergraduate Award Recipient

My name is Brittany Morrison, I am a first nations woman from the Gitxsan territory of northern B.C. in Kispiox. My goal is to be able to help those in need within my community and most definitely help youth to go into post-secondary and sports. I would love to see more young Indigenous youth/adults succeed.

Andrew Dexel – Nooaitch First Nation

Nłeʔkepmx Language Fluency | Nicola Valley Institute Of Technology
Drillwell Enterprises Bursary Award Recipient

My name is Andrew Dexel, and I am Nlaka’pamux from Nooaitch First Nation, B.C. where I reside with my wife and three children. I am an artist by trade and have been studying the Nlaka’pamux pictographs for several years which has ignited my interest to learn the Nłeʔkepmx language. My educational goal is to continue to the four-year language degree in hopes of eventually sharing my knowledge and revitalizing the language with Nation members. Thank you NRT for the contribution to my educational goals, I am grateful for the support and encouragement. kʷukʷscémxʷ

Melida Argueta – Gitsegukla First Nation

Business Administration | Coast Mountain College
Peace Hills Trust Bursary Award Recipient

I am Melida Argueta, a member of the Gitxsan Nation located in Northern BC. I am currently enrolled in Coast Mountain College’s Business Administration program. Before enrolling in college, I was employed at the Administration Office as an assistant in my community for five years. It was there that I met an inspirational individual that modelled such professionalism and a great understanding of the office, which sparked my drive to further my education in business. After achieving my educational goals, I plan on working in one of our surrounding communities at a higher capacity.

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