Sagkeeng First Nation Student Bursary

Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Winnipeg, was inducted as an honourary member of Sagkeeng First Nation last July and given the Ojibwe name Waapshki Pinaysee Inini meaning White Thunderbird Man. The Waapshki Pinaysee Inini White Thunderbird Man Bursary is part of the Opportunity Fund, a University of Winnipeg initiative that helps ensure that economic circumstances are not a barrier to higher education and opportunities.

“Denise and I want to recognize the honour that was bestowed on me last summer and we felt that a bursary reflects the spirit and generosity that was shared with me by Sagkeeng First Nation,” explained Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Winnipeg.

“It has always been our hope that one day we would enter into a partnership built on a solid foundation of respect and integrity,” said Chief Donavan Fontaine of Sagkeeng First Nation. “Dr Axworthy and The University of Winnipeg must be recognized and commended for their hard work and commitment in the development of such a partnership with the Sagkeeng First Nation. We firmly believe that education is paramount in the fulfillment of the our Nation’s vision of self-determination and economic independence”.

Sagkeeng First Nation is located 120 kilometers northeast of Winnipeg on the shore of Lake Winnipeg and is an Anishinaabe First Nation. Sagkeeng, which was once called Fort Alexander, and has a population of approximately 3,000 people.