William Commanda Indigenous Medical Scholarship

Award Overview

Value of the award:
Variable
Number of awards:
Variable
Award frequency:
Annual
Level or program of study:
Undergraduate
Application Type:
Online Scholarship and Bursaries portal, accessible via uoZone.
Application Deadline:
November 3
Renewable:
No

Purpose of this Award

This fund will be used to create bursaries for Indigenous students from the Faculty of Medicine who are in the MD program.

Eligibility Criteria

The candidate must:

  1. be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  2. be registered as a full-time student in the MD program at the Faculty of Medicine
  3. provide documented proof of Indigenous identity, in accordance with the requirements of the University of Ottawa Eligibility for Focused Admissions, Scholarships, and Bursaries for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis People administrative procedure
  4. demonstrate financial need, as determined by the Financial Aid and Awards Service of the University of Ottawa

How to Apply

Submitted in the Online Scholarship and Bursaries portal, accessible via uoZone, and must include:

  1. the Financial Questionnaire
  2. documented proof of Indigenous identity, in accordance with the requirements of the University of Ottawa Eligibility for Focused Admissions, Scholarships, and Bursaries for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis People administrative procedure

About this Award

The great, great grandson of the legendry Algonquin Chief, Pakinawatik, Algonquin Elder William Commanda from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, Maniwaki, Quebec, was imbued with a sense of leadership from a very early age. Born under the morning star on November 11, 1913, his mother was inspired to call him Ojigkwanong. She chose well as Elder Commanda followed in Pakinawatik footsteps to become chief of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, a greatly revered leader in his own right and an honoured representative for all Aboriginal people. As a traditional guide, trapper and woodsman for much of his life, he was also passionate about promoting environmental stewardship and respect for Mother Earth. He worked with the elements of the earth as a birch bark canoe maker and craftsman of international renown. He built a canoe for Queen Margrethe of Denmark, helped Pierre Trudeau repair his famous birch bark canoe and has a special display dedicated to his work at the Canadian Canoe Museum of Peterborough. At the age of 90, his canoe making skills and philosophy are celebrated in Valerie Pouyanne's documentary, Good Enough for Two.

A respected spokesman and spiritual leader at many conferences, Elder Commanda's work was acknowledged nationally and internationally. In 2006, shortly after his book “Learning from a Kindergarten Dropout” was published, he received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from the University of Ottawa. In December 2008, he was appointed Officer of the Order of Canada, for his leadership as an elder who has promoted intercultural understanding and has raised awareness of the traditions and legacies of Canada's Aboriginal people . Elder Commanda was deeply honoured to witness this recognition of the relevance of Indigenous Wisdom to this country. Fully trilingual, he shared his words and prayers in Algonquin, and translated them into English and French. Central to Elder Commanda's teachings are the concepts of equality, balance, respect and responsibility for Mother Earth, for all life forms and for people of all racial and cultural backgrounds. His vision is reflected in the creation of “ Circle of All Nations, A Culture of Peace”: http://www.circleofallnations.ca/