Some future medical students will get some help covering the costs of their studies, thanks to a new bursary established by the Métis Nation of Ontario.
The Northern Ontario School of Medicine University announced the new $515,000 bursary on Tuesday.
The funds will go to up to six Métis students pursuing their medical degree, with a minimum of $5,000 per student on an annual basis. The initial bursary is also being matched by the FDC Foundation, bringing the total to more than $1 million.
Dean Dr. Sarita Verma said she is grateful for the bursary and its support for Indigenous students at the school.
“NOSM University aims to represent the diversity of students in Northern Ontario by recruiting applicants directly from our local communities,” Verma said. “We are grateful to the Métis Nation of Ontario for its support and encouragement of Indigenous students and the confidence they have shown in NOSM University as we continue our work to improve health outcomes for Northern Ontarians.”
Métis Nation of Ontario President Margaret Froh said the bursary will enable Métis citizens to play a role in the future of medicine in Ontario, a profession in which Métis people have been under-represented.
“As the government representing Métis in Ontario, we are proud to do what we can to encourage academic and skills development, helping citizens of the Métis Nation of Ontario achieve their goals,” said Froh.
Hannah Bazinet, the post-secondary representative for the the Métis Nation of Ontario, said it's important to encourage students to share their own perspective and insight.
“As Métis students, we bring cultural understandings of health from our own lived experiences,” Bazinet said. “Encouraging students to share that insight will make way for a more equitable future.”
The deadline for application is the first week of October, for admission in September of the following year. Métis Nation of Ontario citizens who are enrolled at NOSM University are eligible to apply.
