Simon Fraser University will accelerate new Indigenous programs and student supports thanks to a $5-million investment from the Mastercard Foundation.
Announced Tuesday, the funding will be used to bolster ongoing Reconciliation work underway at SFU, including streamlining Indigenous student enrolment and delivering wrap-around supports for learners to thrive throughout their studies, stay connected with their culture and communities, and develop skills and talents that will make a difference well into their careers.
"I am grateful for this investment in SFU's commitment to uphold Truth and Reconciliation and support Indigenous students to thrive," says SFU President Joy Johnson. "Through this partnership with Mastercard Foundation, we will continue our journey towards building lasting and meaningful Reconciliation, belonging and community across SFU's three campuses."
A key focus of SFU's multi-phased model is to engage Indigenous students within their communities at the K-12 level long before university registration to inspire them to attend SFU and see themselves as part of the post-secondary landscape.
Post-graduation support will also be included to bolster ongoing personal and professional growth for SFU's Indigenous alumni. The funding will also support a new program being co-created with Indigenous communities.
"SFU continues its collective shared responsibly to uphold Truth and Reconciliation and to remove systematic barriers that hinder the journey of Indigenous students' to and through a post-secondary education. Over the last number of years we have heard very clearly from Indigenous people on what the roadmap to Indigenous success looks like. This funding will allow us to collectively start work to decolonize and Indigenize our university to empower Indigenous access, and to transition and persevere through a multitude of pathways here at SFU," says Chris (Syeta'xtn) Lewis, SFU Indigenous executive lead.
The investment from Mastercard Foundation recognizes SFU's outstanding impact in advancing education for Indigenous young people.
In all, 30 post-secondary organizations were recognized through a one-time investment from Mastercard Foundation marking the 10th anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action.
"Simon Fraser University has advanced reconciliation in important ways - building strong relationships with First Nations, integrating Indigenous leadership, and reflecting Indigenous knowledges and worldviews across its curriculum," says Jennifer Brennan, senior director of Canada programs at the Mastercard Foundation. "We made a commitment to young Indigenous people that we would walk alongside them to transform post-secondary education in ways that support them to live a good life. This exemplary organization is contributing to that change and to a stronger country for us all."
The investment builds on the Mastercard Foundation EleV Program, which works with more than 65 partners across Canada to support 100,000 Indigenous youth to achieve post-secondary education and transition to meaningful work by 2030.
Founded in 2017, EleV has committed over $500M to transform education and employment in service of Indigenous youth to be living "a good life," Mino Bimaadiziwin in the Anishinaabe language.
Upholding Truth and Reconciliation is a pillar of SFU and a critical priority outlined in What's Next: The SFU Strategy, the university's framework for action in advancing an inclusive and sustainable future.
SFU's commitments to Reconciliation are evidenced throughout numerous projects and initiatives underway across the university, including the First People's Gathering House the long-awaited ceremonial and cultural space at SFU and the Indigenous Student Centre, which offers a multitude of academic, cultural, emotional and spiritual supports in a vital space where students can gather, share food and stories, celebrate identity, and grow with their community.
