Donation will help Indigenous students at UVic reach their goals

A $500,000 donation from The Joyce Family Foundation, a private, family foundation created by Canadian entrepreneur Ronald V. Joyce, will establish new bursaries at the University of Victoria to help Indigenous students with financial need achieve their academic goals.

The foundation is dedicated to supporting the social, economic and emotional well-being of children and youth by empowering them to develop into healthy, confident, independent contributors to Canadian society, reads a press statement.

“This generous gift helps bridge the funding gap for Indigenous students who do not receive band funding, particularly for non-status and Métis students,” said Lalita Kines, acting director of UVic’s Office of Indigenous Affairs

“The Joyce Family Foundation is proud to offer this gift to UVic in support of Indigenous students. I believe that higher education can help young people focus on their interests and talents and realize their dreams,” said Joyce.

Indigenous students are enrolled in every faculty at UVic in a wide range of academic programs at both the graduate and undergraduate level.

“The generosity of the Joyce Family Foundation will have a tremendous impact on our ability to enhance access and support for Indigenous students,” said UVic president Jamie Cassels. “It will advance our objective to help Indigenous students achieve their full potential and strengthen our capacity to be a partner in their academic success.”

An Indigenous student enrolment of almost 1,200 represents a 36 per cent increase over the past decade. The number of Indigenous graduate students has increased by 130 per cent in the same period.