Carisa Naistus, hailing from Onion Lake Cree Nation, embodies the spirit of perseverance and community upliftment. Despite facing difficult challenges, Carisa is enrolled in an accounting and strategic measurement program showing her persistent commitment to personal growth but also the advancement of her Indigenous community.

Regardless of intergenerational trauma, stemming from the residential and day school systems, Carisa’s desire is to provide a better future for her two young children. Her educational pursuit serves as a guiding light for her family and community, leading as an example for a better path toward empowerment and prosperity. Combined with her educational commitments, Carisa is also actively involved in band meetings and community initiatives, offering support and guidance to those in need.

With unwavering strength of character and a heart dedicated to community upliftment, Carisa exemplifies the transformative power of education and the resilience of the Cree spirit. Her journey stands as a testament of perseverance and encouragement for Indigenous youth, poised to shape a future defined by empowerment and opportunity.

Yvonne Wyss’s educational journey is driven by her passion for preserving Indigenous knowledge and cultural history. Aspiring to pursue a master’s degree, Yvonne focuses on research and learning the traditional teachings of cedar, wool, and plant medicines within her ancestral territory.

Central to her academic endeavor is the republishing of her great grandfather’s inspiring work, “Conversations with Khahtsahlano,” which will serve as her doctoral thesis. She aims to infuse this work with decolonized perspectives and Indigenous research methodologies. Yvonne’s goal is not merely academic; it is a cultural reclamation effort aimed at revitalizing her community’s identity and history.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Yvonne seeks one-on-one mentorship with an elder and knowledge keeper to immerse herself in language learning and traditional teachings.

Yvonne’s journey is not just about acquiring knowledge; it’s about reclaiming identity, healing cultural wounds, and empowering future generations. With her dedication, resilience, and the support of the Future Generations Foundation, Yvonne Wyss embodies the spirit of cultural resurgence and academic excellence.

Eucharia Ogoms, a first-generation university student from Winnipeg, Manitoba and a member of Poplar River First Nation, embodies perseverance and dedication. Despite initial struggles, she graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration, earning a spot on the Dean’s Honours List multiple times with a GPA of 3.55.

Eucharia’s commitment to her community is unwavering. From serving as a Human Resources Officer at Shawenim Abinoojii to her current role at the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development Inc, she actively supports Indigenous individuals in pursuing their goals.

Now enrolled in a master’s program in Human Resource Management at the University of Regina, Eucharia aims to break down barriers and provide equal opportunities for all. Her dedication to empowering Indigenous youth is evident as she works to foster cultural connectedness and provide access to resources and support.

Eucharia’s story serves as a testament to the transformative power of education and community engagement, leaving a lasting impact on Indigenous empowerment.

Frazer Dodd, a dedicated member of the Lax Kw’alaams First Nations community, empowers Indigenous youth through education and sports. Currently pursuing a degree in Biology, Frazer aims to become a teacher, shaping young minds and fostering community pride. With a GPA of 3.32, he excels both academically and athletically as a member of the Alvernia University NCAA Division 3 team.

Frazer volunteers his time coaching local sports teams and providing one-on-one hockey skill development for First Nations youth. As an educational assistant in a predominantly First Nations school, Frazer’s positive impact on students’ lives is undeniable, earning him the respect and admiration of both colleagues and pupils alike.

Frazer plans to continue coaching, running intramural lunch programs, and advocating for healthy lifestyle choices among students. Supported by a scholarship from Future Generation Foundation, he can focus on his studies and community, easing the financial burden of American tuition fees and living expenses.

Frazer Dodd’s story is one of resilience, dedication, and unwavering commitment to uplifting his community, leading a legacy of empowerment and opportunity for Indigenous youth.

Hailing from Pine Creek First Nation in Manitoba, Matthew Parenteau’s path has been marked by both personal struggles and professional dedication as a social worker with West Region Child and Family Services.

Rooted in his traditional upbringing, Matthew has been a steadfast participant in ceremony since 2013, drawing strength and guidance from ancestral teachings. However, family challenges have posed to be significant obstacles to his spiritual journey. Financial constraints have prevented Matthew from attending ceremonies and accessing the healing he so desperately needs.

Despite these challenges, Matthew remains determined in his commitment to cultural reconnection and personal healing. Through the Future Generations Foundation’s support, Matthew participated in a series of healing and cultural ceremonies, including Sundance, fasting, and sweat lodge ceremonies. These ceremonies offer not only spiritual nourishment but also opportunities for reconciliation and healing from past traumas.

Matthew’s involvement in his First Nation and Métis community, coupled with his professional experience in child welfare, positions him as a valuable advocate for cultural preservation and healing. Matthew is inspired to pass on these invaluable teachings to his children, peers, clients, and community members.

Patrick Stubbington’s journey from a traumatic childhood to university success is a testament to resilience. A Sixties Scoop survivor from Saik’uz First Nation, Patrick endured severe abuse before finding solace in academics. Despite learning disabilities, he pursued an Environmental Planning degree, with the help of a Future Generations Foundation scholarship at the University of Northern British Columbia.

Patrick’s advocacy extends beyond academics; he actively engages in mental health discussions, facilitating panels at UNBC. As an Indigenous Ambassador, he fosters dialogue on critical issues. Patrick’s dedication also extends to his community, advocating for sustainable projects for future generations. Through perseverance and community engagement, Patrick embodies hope and empowerment.

Edward Martin is an Intergenerational Survivor from Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation who, with the help of an FG Foundation scholarship, is currently studying to receive his Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Victoria.

During his early adulthood, Martin experienced many of the challenges that other young Indigenous men face but had the addition of coming out as gay. This tumultuous time in his life was compounded by the pain of witnessing Survivors of the Residential Schools System, including his own mother, begin to come forward and tell their stories. Although Edward wished to pursue a higher education to help his people, the anger he felt prevented him from doing so.

Without a formal education, Edward had limited opportunities for career development and upward mobility and in 2018, he left his employment as a Veterans Services agent. Determined to be successful and to keep performing the work he loved, Edward decided to pursue post-secondary education. He earned his Diploma of Indigenous Studies from Camosun College in Victoria, British Columbia, in 2020.

In 2022, Edward applied for, and was awarded, a scholarship through the FG Foundation, which would help him pay for his Bachelor of Social Work Degree at the University of Victoria – something which he describes as a ‘huge relief’.

“This scholarship made me cry,” says Edward. “Literally, I was laying in bed when I received the email, and I jumped out of bed and fell back down and the tears just fell.”

With the help of his FG Foundation scholarship, Edward entered a paid practicum in December 2022, and continues to achieve good grades in his program. Edward is excited to walk across the graduation stage in fall of 2023, and says he is grateful for the support of the FG Foundation, his mother and family, his “rockstar” husband, his professors, and Listuguj First Nation.

Joy O’Brien is a residential school survivor who, with the support of the FG Foundation and her family is gaining the traditional knowledge of moose hide tanning. Joy is not only a survivor, but also an intergenerational survivor whose goal is to bring hide tanning skills back into her family line and pass along the knowledge to her children and grandchildren.

Joy was able to join a moose hunt with her family, where they travelled on the land by foot and machine to learn to find signs of moose. During the harvesting, the group learned how to take great care and pay respect to the animal for giving up its life, how to use only what is needed and to use all that is harvested. Joy had the chance to listen to her traditional language and speak the words related to moose hunting and hide tanning. She also leaned all the steps in producing a quality moose hide. Her time out on the land gave her the opportunity to strengthen family connections, learn important cultural skills, and new teachings to share with family and the people she works with.

Taylor has challenged herself with an educational goal to achieve a Juris Doctor degree from a law school, and this May, she completed that goal by becoming a member of the graduating class from Queen’s Law in Kingston in 2022. Taylor is now planning to return to her community of Akwesasne to practice law and immerse herself in community work relating to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, adults, and elders.

The scholarships Taylor received from the FG Foundation have helped with tuition and eased the stress of the transition from home to university. With the help of the FG Foundation, Taylor was able to stress less about finances and focus more on her studies to reach her goals.

Caleb is working to earn his degree in finance and accounting and then is aiming to go into business or law administration. He is a student-athlete at the University of Regina, training hard to make the Cougars basketball team. He credits the FG Foundation for helping him find balance between his studies, athletic commitments, and working a job. The financial support provided by the FG Foundation has allowed Caleb the freedom to work part time. Caleb is also the youth delegate at the O Tee Paym Soo Wk Métis Local where his role is to support youth programming including sport, healthy living, and leadership.  Caleb is proud to be a Métis student-athlete and hopes he can be a positive role model for other Métis students and young people.