FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 3, 2020
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) and the Southern Chiefs’ Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) thank the committed businesses, organizations and individuals that supported the third annual golf tournament. Through a partnership with Indspire, more than $70,000 in annual and endowed scholarships will be awarded to students from SCO-member communities, building on the $45,000 in scholarships raised last year.
“The potential of our youth is limitless, and helping them achieve their educational dreams is one of the top priorities of our southern Chiefs,” said Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “I am proud to partner with Indspire and with innovative institutions like MITT, Brandon University and Assiniboine Community College, to help create positive academic and socio-economic outcomes for our students.”
“AFN Manitoba supports SCO in the creation of scholarships for students attending post-secondary institutions,” said Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Kevin Hart. “Through education we see a stronger future for our youth and our communities.” Regional Chief Hart added, “Education is the key to reconciliation and our youth will guide and build a stronger tomorrow.”
SCEDC and SCO worked closely with Larters at St. Andrews Golf and Country Club to follow public health guidelines and ensure the health and safety of golf tournament participants, while keeping the focus on increasing access to post-secondary education for southern First Nation students.
“The scholarship meant a great deal to me and it went a long way in reducing financial stress. To take that worry away has helped me focus on my classes and grades. I hope to be graduating this following year from the Faculty of Arts. I wish the best for all other students and new students to come. Chi-Miigwetch” Everett (Pine Creek First Nation)
“For me winning the scholarship meant a lot, and it helped relieve some of the stress that comes along with university and living on your own. Receiving the scholarship gives me the courage and motivation to continue doing well in my courses and degree. I am currently in the Faculty of Arts and aspire to go into social work. I hope that I can help a lot of people and their families. Thank you!” Alannah (Pinaymootang First Nation)
The golf tournament could not have happened without support from our sponsors and participants and SCEDC and SCO are grateful for their support and generosity. This year’s signature tournament sponsors included:
- Gold – Assembly of First Nations, Manitoba Region
- Silver – Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre
- Silver – Valard Construction
- Bronze – Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology
- Hole-in-One – Vickar Automotive Group
Hole Sponsors:
- Assiniboine Community College
- AON Reed Stenhouse Inc.
- Bird Construction
- Brandon University
- CIER Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources
- Ernst Hansch Construction Ltd.
- Lowe Mechanical Services
- MNP
- NCI FM
- PCL Construction
- Pratt’s Wholesale Food Service
- RBC
- RM of Rockwood
- RM of Rosser
- RM of St. Clements
- Tipi Insurance
- Vickar Automotive Group
- Winnipeg Metropolitan Region
The golf teams at this year’s event included: Amik Inc.; Assembly of First Nations; Assiniboine Community College; Birdtail Sioux First Nation; Bridgeport Office Solutions; Dakota Plains Wahpeton Nation; Ernst Hansch Construction Ltd.; Evident IT; Hollow Water First Nation; Interlake Reserves Tribal Council; Lake Manitoba First Nation; Long Plain First Nation; Lowe Mechanical; Manitoba Trucking Association; MFNERC; Microtel Inn and Suites Portage la Prairie; MITT; NCN; ODK Engineering; PCL; RM of East St Paul; Sagkeeng First Nation; Southern First Nations Network of Care; Tipi Insurance; Treaty 1 Development Corporation; Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba; and Valard Construction.
The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 34 Anishinaabe and Dakota First Nations that came together in 1999 to protect, preserve, promote, and enhance First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.
Indspire is an Indigenous national charity that invests in the education of First Nation people for the long-term benefit of the students, their families and communities, and Canada. Anchored by its mission and mandate, Indspire’s North Star vision is that, within a generation, every Indigenous student will graduate. Charity Intelligence Canada recognized Indspire with their four-star rating and named it a Top 10 Canadian Impact Charity for 2017, 2018 and 2019.
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For Media Inquiries:
Vic Savino, Communications Officer, Southern Chiefs’ Organization
Winnipeg Sub-Office: (204) 946-1869 | Email: media@scoinc.mb.ca
For original PDF of release: Third Annual Golf Tournament – Media Release, September 3, 2020