In August, 2021 Finning Canada committed $400,000 to SAIT – making the 20th Anniversary of the Chinook Lodge Resource Centre something really worth celebrating. Because $340,000 of that total commitment was dedicated to help SAIT achieve its goal of fully funding the $2-million Aboriginal Futures Endowment Fund which supports the Chinook Lodge. The remaining $60,000 established the Finning Canada Indigenous Student Endowment, which will provide an annual award for Indigenous students pursuing a science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) certificate, diploma or degree program at SAIT.
“Establishing meaningful programs in our communities is integral to building a stronger future, which led to our support of SAIT’s Aboriginal Futures Endowment Fund,” says David Primrose, President for Finning Canada. “We realize the importance of setting Indigenous students up for success as they navigate their education journey and we’re excited to see the learning and growth that will result.”
SAIT Vice President of External Relations, Heather Magotiaux says, “A fully endowed Aboriginal Futures Endowment Fund helps ensure Chinook Lodge staff can continue to walk beside Indigenous students supporting their student journeys as they have for 20 years now. Gifts like Finning Canada’s help us ensure a SAIT education is inclusive of Indigenous Peoples – a reality that builds a brighter future for all of Canada.”
The Aboriginal Futures Endowment Fund ensures long-term sustainability of the many programs and services that SAIT offers to Aboriginal students such as the Chinook Lodge Graduation and Celebration, career workshops, professional development lecture series and the supports provided by the Chinook Lodge Aboriginal Student Association.
To learn more about the impact the Chinook Lodge has had on Indigenous students in its 20 year history, read the Chinook Lodge Anniversary story in LINK, SAIT’s Alumni Magazine.
Share This