The council raised the funds at its annual Nanwakolas Council Corporate Challenge golf tournament last year. The NIC Foundation will invest the funds to help grow the TL’axsam Memorial Bursary Endowment, established in 2012 by council President Dallas Smith, in honour of the late Comox Valley MLA Stan Hagen.
“Stan’s tireless devotion to the community and his strong support for First Nations was the inspiration behind this bursary,” said Smith. “We are proud to continue to support this bursary through this donation and support Aboriginal students looking to pursue post-secondary education.”
The Corporate Challenge has raised $33,000 in the last four years. When combined with matching funds from NIC, the endowment’s fund balance stands at over $35,000. The income generated supports an annual bursary for an Aboriginal student who is entering North Island College and has contributed to the well-being of their community.
The 2016 recipient, Gage Delisle, is an NIC-UVic Dual Admission Bachelor of Science in Engineering student. A graduate of Highland Secondary School, Delisle is actively involved in the community and hopes to see the world through international co-op opportunities.
The bursary is also an example of how legacy gifts support students in our community.
“Legacy gifts provide ongoing support to NIC students while honouring the memory of a loved one,” said Lisa Moyes, NIC Foundation Board Chair. “Whether it’s a scholarship or bursary, an equipment donation or naming a building or classroom in a loved one’s name, legacy gifts honour those who are passionate about education and helping young people.”
Limited space is still available for the 2017 Nanwakolas Corporate Golf Challenge, which takes place Friday, August 30 at Crown Isle Golf Course. To register, visit www.nanwakolas.com/online-registration-form-golf-tournament or email CurtisWilson@nanwakolas.com.
The Nanwakolas Council is made of six member First Nations with traditional territories on Northern Vancouver Island and BC’s South Central Coast. It supports member First Nations in land and marine resource management and resource-based economic development activities.
The NIC Foundation has been advancing student success, education and community growth through NIC for more than 25 years. It is dedicated to supporting NIC students through scholarships and bursaries, equipping classrooms with current technology and ensuring the best possible learning facilities are accessible on the North Island.
To donate to the NIC Foundation, or for more information, visit foundation.nic.bc.ca or call 250-334-5085.
Media Contact
Christiana Wiens
Media Liaison, North Island College
O. 250-334-5280 | M. 250-218-4097
christiana.wiens@nic.bc.ca
