Support Indigenous student success this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Sept. 28, 2023

Saturday, Sept. 30 marks Canada’s annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Indigenous families and communities have been significantly impacted by the history of settlement and colonialism in North America and the systemic barriers to education for Indigenous learners continue to play a very real part in the day-to-day lives of Indigenous students.

For Indigenous students at Laurier, the Indigenous Student Services team works to connect Indigenous students to the resources and community they need to thrive in their studies and get to graduation. One part of this support is the donor-funded Indigenous Student Emergency Bursary, which provides relief to Indigenous students who are facing an unforeseen financial crisis.

“We never know when an emergency will strike, and we don’t know how much it will cost,” says Emily Daniel, manager of Indigenous Student Services at Laurier. “These students might be facing situations related to unexpected medical expenses, personal and family obligations in their home communities, loss of income and food insecurity. The time when they come and ask for help through the emergency bursary is a make-or-break point.”

Daniel says this emergency support can make the difference in helping Indigenous students in financial crisis get to graduation.

“This bursary may have literally saved my education, if not also my life,” says a student who received the Indigenous Student Emergency Bursary in their third year. “These services are crucial for the ongoing well-being and success of Indigenous students at Laurier. My story is just one of many.”

Daniel says that anywhere from five to 25 students may access the emergency fund every year and anticipates that the need will continue to grow as the number of Indigenous students at Laurier increases.

In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, you can make the difference for students in crisis with a gift to the Indigenous Student Emergency Fund, which provides direct financial support to Indigenous students at Laurier who are facing an unforeseen financial crisis.