The Aboriginal Health Careers Bursary is awarded, and provides assistance to Aboriginal post-secondary students. This year, $357,000 is being awarded to 62 students focusing on a career in health care.
Slave Lake’s Leigh-Anne Sheldon-Houle is one of them. The recipients were announced by Advanced Education Minister Dennis Herard and Health and Wellness Minister Iris Evans in a news release last week.
“Each one of these students has demonstrated a strong commitment to their education and their communities,” says Evans. “This bursary strengthens the link between the health system and the Aboriginal community, and supports students studying in health-related fields which will have a positive impact on Alberta’s health workforce.”
The aim is to give Alberta’s Aboriginal communities greater access to Aboriginal health practitioners and culturally sensitive health services.
The money is given to people studying a variety of fields from mental health and massage therapy to speech pathology and nutrition. Recipients receive between $2,000 and $10,000.
“This is the second time I’ve received this award,” says Sheldon Houle. “I’m very, very honoured to receive it again. I received $5,000 last year and $4,000 this year.”
Sheldon-Houle began studying psychology at Northern Lakes College (NLC) three years ago. She completed two years at NLC before tackling another two years at Athabasca University.
She is nearing the end of this stretch of the road and will soon have a psychology degree. She had to meet various criteria to be eligible for the bursary.
“It depends on the student and financial need,” she says. “I’m Aboriginal and maintain a high GPA (grade point average) as well. I also volunteer a lot and believe in it. I think (we) have a better chance (to receive this award) in a smaller institution as opposed to a bigger one just because there’s not a lot of opportunity for students at a lesser college. We don’t have the same access to courses (and) don’t have the same advantages.”
“As well as enhancing the health system, this bursary supports our goal of increasing the number of Aboriginal Albertans who complete post-secondary education,” Minister Herard says in the release. “With the funding provided, we are helping these students continue their studies and, in particular, pursue their dream of a career in the health system. In this way, we are supporting both their personal success and the well being of their communities. These students are excellent role models and mentors, and their academic achievements are inspirational.”
Sheldon-Houle is proud of her high marks and says it’s hard to maintain them. The Athabasca University portion of the course is done through distance education through the Internet.
“I don’t have a professor,” she says. “I have a tutor that’s there for marking and being supportive but not really helping with the materials. You have to be very devoted to your courses and hard working. I don’t have a schedule like a regular student.”
As hard as it may be, the mother of three is planning to further her studies yet again after she gets her degree. She says that without the awards (she’s won three so far this year) she would not be able to go to school.
“I eventually want to go for my masters. I really like the field. It’s a social/science field and I like everything about it. I love being able to help people and counsel them.”

Copyright © 2000 The Lakeside Leader. All Rights Reserved.
No part may be reproduced without written permission.

View our Privacy Statement.
Send website suggestions to the Webmaster