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A Saskatoon student is hoping to make a difference in the medical field and inspire her Métis community after receiving an Indigenous scholarship.
Haylee Gardiner graduated early from Marion M. Graham Collegiate, and recently received The RBC Future Launch Scholarship for Indigenous Youth.
It provides recipients $10,000 annually for up to four years of post-secondary education.
The 20 participants who receive the scholarship annually must demonstrate outstanding academic performance and community involvement, according to the RBC website.
Gardiner said she feels both grateful and proud to represent the Indigenous community after receiving the scholarship.
Gardiner said she’s passionate about biology, and will be pursuing the subject at the University of Victoria this fall.
Eventually she wants to attend medical school, become a doctor, and study Indigenous medicine.
Growing up, Gardiner wasn’t rooted in her Métis heritage like she is today.
A large part of reconnecting with her culture happened through her experience in the Raven Program.
When she graduated, she was presented a Métis sash from the B.C. nation.
“I felt a great sense of pride and honour and I felt really connected with my culture,” she said.
Today, Gardiner is part of the Gabriel Dumont Local #11, and stays connected with her community through volunteering at potlucks or council meetings.
Her advice for students is work hard, and explore other creative avenues like arts, music or sports.
Gardiner noted mental health is another important part of academic success.
According to the recent provincial audit report, 44.7 per cent of the province’s Indigenous students graduated within three years of starting Grade 10.
Gardiner said she’d like to see more resources that allow Indigenous youth to talk about their mental health and connect with their community.
“Mental health is a big thing in our communities and reserves,” she said. “I think there needs to be more leadership in community involvement.”