For Immediate Release: August 31, 2021
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) and the Southern Chiefs’ Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) want to thank the committed businesses, organizations, and individuals that supported our fourth annual golf tournament. More than $100,000 in annual and endowed scholarships will be awarded to students from SCO-member communities.
“This year we have another sold out tournament, and I am so proud of everyone who helped make it happen again,” said SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “Every day I see the phenomenal potential of our youth and I am delighted to know that a fundraiser like this will help bring our students one step closer to achieving their academic goals. I am also proud to partner with Indspire and with innovative academic institutions including Assiniboine Community College, the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre, University of Winnipeg, Brandon University, and the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology, to help create positive outcomes for our students.”
SCEDC and SCO once again worked closely with Larters at St. Andrews Golf and Country Club to ensure a safe event was held while keeping the focus on increasing access to post-secondary education for southern First Nation students.
The golf tournament could not have happened without the generous support from our sponsors and participants. This year’s signature tournament sponsors included:
Silver Sponsors: Evident IT, Interlake Reserves Tribal Council and Saulteaux Tribal Nation, Sagkeeng Anicinabe First Nation, and SkyAlyne
Cart Sponsor: Tipi Insurance Partners
Putting Sponsor: Assiniboine Community College
“It’s always important to support and lift one another up. That’s what First Nation people do,” said Sagkeeng Anicinabe First Nation Chief, Derrick Henderson. “Being an educator myself, I see an event like this, that empowers our youth to pursue their academic dreams, as being vital to participate in.”
Hole Sponsors:
Bird Construction
Brandon University
Bridgeport Office Solutions
Deborah Capek
Denver Property Restoration Services
Dreamcatcher Promotions
Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology
NCI FM
Pratt’s Wholesale
RBC
RM of Rosser
RM of St. Clements
Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation
Southern First Nations Network of Care
Spirit Healthcare Group
Treaty One Development Corporation
Vincent Design Inc.
The golf teams at this year’s event were from the following organizations and businesses, with some registering more than one team:
Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Cindy Woodhouse
Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation
Bloodvein First Nation
Chief Sheldon Kent
Dakota Tipi First Nation
Denver Restoration Services
Dreamcatcher Prootions
Ernst Hansch Construction
First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba
Indigenous Leadership Development Institute
Interlake Reserves Tribal Council
Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre
Modular Building Solutions
Number TEN Architectural Group
Peguis First Nation
Pinaymootang First Nation
POS Systems
Pratt’s Wholesale
ReSolve Project Management
Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation
Sagkeeng Anicinabe First Nation
Spirit Healthcare Group
Treaty One Development Corporation
Treaty Relations Commission of MB
University of Winnipeg
Vincent Design Inc.
SCO and SCEDC will be dividing the proceeds between annual scholarships with Indspire, and endowed scholarships with post-secondary institutions. Indspire is a national charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people for the long-term benefit of the students, their families and their communities. Indspire’s North Star vision is that, within a generation, every Indigenous student will graduate.
“I would like to truly thank you for your support in helping me further my studies,” said Kateri, a student from Berens River First Nation who was supported by last year’s golf tournament. “Having financial support makes everything easier emotionally, financially, and mentally. I find myself worrying about money to the point where it keeps me up at night or where I cannot think properly when I study. I have family members that depend on me and I’m very thankful when I receive support and I thank you for your generous support.”
“This scholarship program provided me with a magnificent opportunity during the 2020-2021 academic year,” said Darlene from Little Grand Rapids First Nation. “When I applied for the scholarship, I was nervous about my expenses for the school year. When I learned that I received an award, I was immensely happy. This funding alleviated my stress regarding financial expenses. This feeling of calmness contributed to the success of my academic year because I was able to focus on my exams. I am proud to have sponsors contributing to my ambitions of pursuing further education.”
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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 34 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations and more than 80,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.
For Media Inquiries:
Al Foster, Senior Correspondent, Southern Chiefs’ Organization
Winnipeg Sub-Office: (204) 806-6837 | Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca