The new Chief Harry Family Scholarship aims to empower Indigenous students across Canada
21 Mayo 2024 - 10:15AM
A new Chief Harry Family Scholarship will support 10 Indigenous
students across Canada with $50,000 over five years – a significant
investment in education to help build brighter futures.
Supported by The Driving Force Group of Companies, the
scholarship is inspired by and named after Chief Dale Harry
(Pekultn Siyam), a hereditary Chief of the Squamish Nation. His
mother is none other than Elder Chésha7 (Gwen Harry), a residential
school survivor who worked in education for more than 50 years. She
received Quest University’s first-ever honorary degree and the
Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for her community contributions.
The scholarship funds will be awarded to First Nations, Inuit
and Métis students studying in education, social work, psychology
and social sciences – areas identified as those with large funding
gaps for Indigenous students.
“These days, more businesses are looking to hire Indigenous
Peoples. And we need to get our people trained for these jobs.
Through this scholarship, The Driving Force Group of Companies will
make a genuine difference. I’m proud to be part of this one,” says
Chief Harry.
This scholarship is the most recent collaboration between Chief
Harry and The Driving Force Group of Companies, a network of
transportation and fleet management companies that operate across
Canada and the United States. Funds will be distributed by
Indspire, a national registered charity that invests in the
education of Indigenous Peoples for the long-term benefit of
individuals, their families, their communities and Canada.
“The significant cost of tuition can be a barrier to accessing
post-secondary education. We’re fortunate to be in a position to
help remove this obstacle and help Indigenous students realize
their dreams and full potential,” says Ayman Ammoura, President
& CEO for The Driving Force Group of Companies.
“It’s an honour to help open the door to advanced education,
support Indigenous students and create a path to success where they
feel supported by their local community.”
This Chief Harry Family Scholarship is part of ongoing
reconciliation efforts at The Driving Force Group of Companies that
also include Indigenous cultural awareness training for their over
600 employees, observance of National Day for Truth and
Reconciliation and more.
The fleet management company also helps facilitate lasting
change in the workforce as a proud sponsor of the Workforce Forward
conferences series that is dedicated to empowering Indigenous
talent.
“This commitment will result in positive outcomes for young
Indigenous learners and their communities,” said Mike DeGagné,
President and CEO of Indspire. “We are looking forward to working
with The Driving Force Group as they continue to show their support
for Indigenous education by creating meaningful opportunities like
this one.”
About The Driving Force Group of Companies
The Driving Force Group of Companies is a network of
transportation and fleet management companies that operates across
Canada and the United States and includes Driving Force Vehicle
Rental Sales and Leasing, Paramount Truck Sales, Hino Central,
Eledone Management, Alata Tech and TDF Fleet. An industry leader
for more than 40 years, The Driving Force Group of Companies
strives to solve the world’s transportation and fleet management
challenges with unmatched customer service and data-driven insight.
We’re proud to be an Alberta success story. From one rented office
atop a small service station, our company network now spans nearly
40 locations with over 600 employees. While our scope and size have
grown since we first opened in 1978, our core values—integrity,
passion, commitment and respect—and our fundamental commitment to
our customers remain unchanged.
About Indspire
Indspire is an Indigenous registered charity that invests in the
education of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people for the
long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and
communities, and Canada. With the support of its funding partners,
Indspire provides financial awards, delivers programs, and shares
resources so that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students will
achieve their highest potential. In 2022-23, Indspire provided more
than $27.5 million through 7,522 bursaries and scholarships to
First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students across Canada.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please
contact:
Rose Phillip
Director, Marketing and Communications, The Driving Force Group
of Companies
rphillip@drivingforcegroup.com
780-930-7013
Brandon Meawasige VP, Communications & Marketing,
Indspire
bmeawasige@indspire.ca 1-855-463-7747 x2350
- Presenting cheque
- Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) hereditary Chief
Rose Phillip
The Driving Force Group of Companies
780-930-7013
rphillip@drivingforcegroup.com