College-bound Students Receive Bursaries

A lunch started off the Student Bursary Presentation at Iohahiio on Monday afternoon, complete with dessert. Chief Abram Benedict opened the presentation congratulating the students and thanking the sponsors, Enbridge Gas and Bank of Montreal, for their years of partnership.

Peter Valiquet and Mike Wagle from Enbridge Gas presented five bursaries to students to help with college. Enbridge Gas has been giving bursaries for roughly 7 years. They congratulated students and inquired about where they were going to college and their major. Valiquet added, “The hard work is worth it.”

Frances Mannarino, Al Smith and Kelly Evans from the Bank of Montreal also presented five checks to students. The Bank of Montreal has been partners with MCA for several years and they have been giving out bursaries for about 10 years. They also congratulated students and inquired about where they were going to college and their major, and Mannario added, “We are proud of you, believe in education.”

The Akwesasne Powwow Committee also gave a bursary at the luncheon. Chief Larry King and Romaine Mitchell attended as representatives. Romaine Mitchell said, “The goal of the committee is to make people culturally aware. To give them the ability to answer the question ‘What does it mean to be a Mohawk?’” He explained how college is a perfect example of where this question comes up. Students volunteer at the powwow for the community service hours they need to graduate, and many get all 40 hours in one shot.

The Chiefs thanked Sandra Rourke, Kahontineh Swamp, and April Thompson, who chose the names of the students who were picked to receive a bursary, a very tough job.

Congratulations to students on a job well done and a bright future ahead!