Courtney Swampy, is a single mom of her very own three musketeers —all boys under the age of seven; she is a member of Sagkeeng First Nation; and this year’s recipient of the Waapshki Pinaysee Inini White Thunderbird Man bursary. She is in the third year of her five year education degree and will complete her Bachelor of Arts this summer.
When Swampy was working at Isaac Newton School as an Educational Assistant she experienced the epiphany that brought her to UWinnipeg’s Winnipeg Education Centre (WEC), “I noticed there weren’t many Aboriginal teachers,” shared Swampy. “I knew then, that this would be a good job for me. I wanted to be a teacher and a role model for others.”
UWinnipeg’s Winnipeg Education Centre (WEC) provided her with a program that gave her the support she needed to continue her studies.
“I found the people at WEC were friendly and very encouraging,” said Swampy. “I like UWinnipeg and the bursary helped me in paying my bills.”
After graduation Swampy plans to give back to her community and work on the reserve where she can fulfill her goal of being a mentor and a teacher.
WEC is part of the ACCESS program. ACCESS Education is committed to providing ongoing supports for its students. In their first year ACCESS students attend study skills and math preparatory classes, and workshops on topics such as library skills and research skills.
“Courtney is a worthy recipient of this award that my wife and I established after I became an honourary member of Sagkeeng First Nation and was given the name Waapshki Pinaysee Inini,” expressed former UWinnipeg President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Lloyd Axworthy.
The Waapshki Pinaysee Inini White Thunderbird Man bursary is valued at $2,000 annually and is awarded to a full-time* Sagkeeng First Nation student pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies. This award is part of the Opportunity Fund, a UWinnipeg initiative that helps ensure economic circumstances are not a barrier to higher education and opportunities.
* If there are no eligible full-time students who apply, then a $1,000 bursary will be available to a part-time student.
