The provincial government has announced more funding to help ease the financial pressures of Indigenous post-secondary students.
B.C. is providing ad extra $1.5 million to help supplement the Indigenous Emergency Assistance Fund, which helps Indigenous students who are going through an unexpected financial emergency that could impact them finishing their studies.
"Our government is increasing emergency financial assistance for Indigenous students to ensure they have the necessary funds to focus on staying healthy, meeting their educational goals and finishing their semester," Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training says in a release.
"By supporting Indigenous students to succeed, we are doing our part to implement article 23 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action."
The fund helps emergency living expenses including groceries, cell phone bills and childcare, the fund supports Indigenous learners through other unexpected expenses such as medical, dental, optical costs and travel costs for family crisis or community obligations.
"These additional emergency funds to support B.C.'s Indigenous students are vital right now," Scott Fraser, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation adds in the release.
"No one should have to choose between an education and survival, and these emergency funds will help Indigenous students complete their studies with a better sense of well-being."
Students that do use the funding do not have to repay the money. Indigenous students can contact their Indigenous Student Service Centre on campus, which can help with the application process to receive the funding.
"These additional financial supports will assist Indigenous students as they pay for emergency living expenses or manage unexpected costs during this period of economic uncertainty," UNBC Interim President Dr. Geoff Payne said of the news.
"I am grateful that the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training is enhancing UNBC's ability to assist our students in need through the Indigenous Emergency Assistance Fund."
