Belcourt Brousseau Métis Awards celebrate 25 years

The Belcourt Brosseau Métis Awards (BBMA) celebrated 25 years of championing Métis education as one of the largest non-governmental Métis student awards programs in Canada on September 26.

This groundbreaking program was established in 2001 by Orval Belcourt, Dr. Herb Belcourt, and Georges Brosseau K.C., the directors of the Canative Housing Corporation. As Canative Housing Corporation directors, the three founders of the BBMAs assisted their Indigenous communities around them in gaining housing. They decided to take their passion for helping their Indigenous communities to the next level in 2001, when they established the Belcourt Brosseau Métis Awards. Their vision was one of self-sufficiency for Métis youth and adults, through access to post-secondary education and skills development programs. 

This year was the 25th anniversary of this monumental program, one of the largest sources of non-government student funding for Métis students across Canada. Since its beginnings in 2001, the BBMAs have distributed $13.1 million in scholarships through 4,400 awards.

The Belcourt Brosseau Métis Awards are partnered with the Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF), and through the ECF, they grant an average of $1.46 million each year. This anniversary of the BBMAs saw $1.2 million distributed to 310 recipients. This anniversary celebration also included the inaugural Founder Awards, which highlight the program’s impact and legacy.

“Intergenerational trauma is something we’re healing from, but the BBMAs demonstrate our intergenerational success and prosperity,” Theresa Marjeran, BBMA Marketing and Communications Manager, said. “Those wounds don’t have to carry on – they can be healed by a shared sense of community, a shared sense of values and an education.”

The BBMA founders held a shared belief that “the wealth of the country is the education of its youth.” The initial $3 million endowment at ECF has grown to $24.5 million and has supported thousands of students since its inception. 

“The Belcourt Brousseau Métis Awards is a fantastic example of how donors working with ECF can transform a community,” Tina Thomas, CEO of ECF, said. “The vision of the founders combined with ECF’s financial stewardship means the BBMAs can support the next generation of Métis leaders, and every generation that follows.”

To mark the occasion, three inaugural Founder Awards were presented to BBMA alumni for their successful careers and meaningful contributions to their communities.

The 25th Anniversary Founder Awards and recipients included: 

Dan Allard, Calgary-based co-founder of the Cold Garden Beverage Company, was awarded the Herb Belcourt Award for Entrepreneur for his demonstrated leadership and community-building. 

James Henry, whose expertise in family law and child welfare is used for Indigenous legal advocacy, was awarded the Georges R. Brousseau K.C. Award for a lawyer. Henry’s work was instrumental in setting up the University of Victoria’s Indigenous Law program.

And finally, Christie Ladouceur, founder of Red River Psychological, recognized for servicing families and children through culturally-grounded therapeutic technique, received the Orval Belcourt Award for Social Work.

“The BBMA I received to pursue my graduate program made it possible for me to pursue my educational and career goals in the field of Psychology,” Ladouceur; said. “I am so honoured to be recognized by the BBMA with the Orval Belcourt Award and showcase the legacy of the founders and the impact of this program.”

Through these founder awards, BBMA alumni are recognized for their contributions to their Indigenous communities. Going forward, the Belcourt Brosseau Métis Awards will give opportunities to Métis students that will enable them to create a better future for Indigenous youth and Indigenous communities as a whole.