In the wake of an announcement from Tk’emlups First Nations leaders of remains found at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, members of the Sunshine Coast community raised funds to launch a new scholarship for both the Sunshine Coast School District No. 46 (SD46) and School District 73 in the Kamloops area.
The two Reconciliation scholarships, at $1,000 each, will be awarded to a student who is the descendant of a residential or day school survivor, the district principal of Indigenous Learning, Kerry Mahlman, told Coast Reporter.
“We realize that there’s a great deal of pain and loss. But we also realize that there’s young people at this very point about to enter out into the world, and so we also want to say to them, ‘We believe in you, we support you,’” Mahlman said of the scholarships.
Mahlman said the funds came from the community, particularly members of the paddling community, the support staff and teaching community on the Sunshine Coast.
The recipients will be announced at the end of the month, and Mahlman said they hope to create ongoing funds to continue the scholarship.
