Scholarship Overview
From coast to coast, McElhanney acknowledges the Indigenous Territories we work and reside on. We strive to be trusted partners with Indigenous communities across Western Canada, and we are proud of the Indigenous people that we work with us.
With an ongoing commitment to honour, respect, and hear the voices of Indigenous peoples, our mission is to partner with Indigenous people who are considering a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), Business Support Services, or Administration Services. The McElhanney Indigenous Peoples Scholarship provides Indigenous students and intergenerational community members with the option of completing or upgrading their education while engaging in hands-on training to support their long-term career goals.
Selected recipients who are interested in completing an education program are awarded up to $5,000 to use towards tuition, textbooks, supplies, and living expenses (on-campus accommodations). Alternatively, intergenerational community members who choose to focus on hands-on career experience (forgo education option) with McElhanney will be awarded the same amount to use towards career training or as a donation to an Indigenous-owned business, charity, or cause within their local community.
This scholarship is open year-round, with the opportunity to join McElhanney as a full-time employee or co-op student during our regular recruitment cycles (winter, summer, and fall).
In Honour of Angus Cockney
McElhanney has named the Indigenous Peoples Scholarship in honour of Angus Cockney, in recognition of his professional achievements and his outstanding, positive impact in his Indigenous community.
Born in Tuktoyaktuk, NT, Angus Cockney is an Indigenous community member and residential school survivor. As a young child, Angus was taken to the Inuvik Roman Catholic Residential School, where he spent 13 years of his life. While in the residential school system, Angus took up the sport of cross-country skiing, becoming a national champion skier, and was chosen to accompany the 1989 Robert Swan “Icewalk” expedition to the North Pole as the Canadian member of an international team. Angus is also an accomplished artist. He began creating art based on his culture, his concern for the environment, and his desire to be an educator and spokesperson supporting the Inuit art world and northern peoples. In addition to Angus’ outstanding accomplishments above, Angus has been a land surveyor with McElhanney since 2013. Currently working part-time, Angus spends his other time working at the Bowden Institution penitentiary counselling Indigenous inmates.
What We Offer
As the recipient of McElhanney’s Indigenous Peoples Scholarship, you will receive:
Financial Support:
Receive up to $5,000 towards the completion of your education program. Experienced professionals who bypass tuition support will be given the option to donate the funds to their local community.
Industry Mentorship Opportunity:
Be paired up with a McElhanney industry mentor who will support you in achieving your career goals. Together, you will discuss training and career paths that may interest you.
Hands-on Training:
Gain hands-on training that you will be able to apply to a career at McElhanney, or within your local community.
Recognition:
We will share your efforts and accomplishments on McElhanney’s website and social media channels (great for your resume or portfolio).
How to Apply
Step 1: Select Your Entry Pathway
The McElhanney Indigenous Peoples Scholarship is offered to individuals at various stages of their education and career journey. In your application, please select your scholarship pathway:
- Indigenous High School Student – This pathway offers graduating high school students the ability to receive tuition support towards a certificate, diploma, or degree program in STEM, business support services (e.g., marketing, human resources, information technology), or administration services. Recipients will also receive a co-op opportunity that aligns with their education program.
- Indigenous Academic – This pathway offers current post-secondary students who are looking to continue with or switch into a certificate, diploma, or degree program in STEM, business support services, or administrative services. Recipients will also receive a co-op opportunity that aligns with their education program.
- Intergenerational Community Member – This pathway offers experienced community members with the opportunity to grow or switch their profession to STEM, business support services, or administrative services. Recipients may choose to upgrade their skills through formal education, or simply through career training with McElhanney. Recipients who forego the education component will have the opportunity to donate the award amount to an Indigenous owned business, cause, or charity within their local community.
Step 2: Select Your Career Path
Hands-on career training will be available through full-time or co-op opportunities and reserved for individuals who have an interest in one or more of the following career paths:
Career Path Option 1 – STEM Services:
This career path includes civil engineering, geomatics engineering and land surveying, environmental engineering, planning, landscape architecture, or GIS and remote sensing.
Career Path Option 2 – Business Support Services:
This career path includes human resources, marketing and communications, health, safety, and environmental, finance and accounting, business information technology, or digital business.
Career Path Option 3 – Administrative Services:
This career path includes reception, project administration, or project coordination.
Step 3: Confirm Your Eligibility
- You identify as Indigenous / Aboriginal Peoples of Canada (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis).
- As a high school student or academic, you showcase proof of enrollment in a certificate, diploma, or bachelor’s degree program at an accredited post-secondary Canadian institution.
- As an intergenerational community member, you have an interest in receiving hands-on training in STEM, business support services, or administration services.
- You have an interest in being employed in a STEM, business support services, or administration services career with McElhanney (optional).
Step 4: Application Instructions
Your application package must include:
- A resume that summarizes your experience.
- A cover letter stating how this scholarship supports your career plans. You should also indicate details on your Entry Pathway (Indigenous High School Student, Indigenous Academic, or Intergenerational Community Member) and Career Path Option (STEM, business support services, or administration services).
