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Susan O’Brien Memorial & VJKF Scholarship Application

By filling out this application form, our scholarship committee will consider you for both scholarships. We look forward to receiving your application for this year’s scholarships.

Before starting the online application form, please complete the three questions at the bottom of this page.

Apply Here

Apply Online

Click here to access our online application

Eligibility

  • Student self-identifies as First Nations (status or non-status), Métis, or Inuit.
  • Completed the VJKF Program
  • Students are only eligible to apply in the year they graduate the VJFK Program.
  • Students must be in either grades 11 or 12 to apply.
  • Students must complete the scholarship application to be eligible.
  • Attended the VJKF program in 2023 (or in later years)

Susan O’Brien Memorial Scholarship

Susan O’Brien was a shy, intelligent, yet athletic youth with a passion for basketball. After high school, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she completed her degree in science.

In 2008, Susan and her husband, Ron Woznow, co-founded The Family Food Research Foundation, a registered charity with the mandate to help Indigenous youth from across Canada pursue a post-secondary degree. The Family Food Research Foundation was later renamed The Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation and shifted its focus to introduce Indigenous students to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs at universities. In her volunteer role as foundation administrator from 2009 to 2020, she facilitated 550 students’ attendance at 10 different universities. Her commitment to the Foundation and our students was relentless and she worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and care of all participants.

Sadly, on January 18, 2022, Susan passed away suddenly. To commemorate Susan’s hard work and dedication to The Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation, our Foundation is offering one $1,500 scholarship to an Indigenous student that has completed the VJKF Program each year for five years, starting in 2023.

Only ONE Susan O’Brien Memorial Scholarship (valued at $1,500) will be awarded per year, for five years, staring in 2023.

Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation Scholarship

This Scholarship was created by the VJKF Board to provide financial assistance to our Kirkness Scholars. This Scholarship recognizes your potential, drive, and experience.

The VJKF Board will award up to twenty scholarships (valued at $500) per year, starting in 2023.

Before proceeding to the application page, please complete the following questions which will be asked on the form. 

ESSAY QUESTION #1 – Describe your experience at The Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation Program, which you have just completed, and the most interesting thing you learned. (Max 250 words.)

ESSAY QUESTION #2 – Tell us about the volunteer work you’ve done or are interested in doing in the future. (Max 250 words.)

ESSAY QUESTION #3 – Describe your future goals. (Max 250 words.)

Terms of Reference

SUSAN O’BRIEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Susan O’Brien was instrumental in founding the Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation and its Programs. Following her passing, the Board of Directors unanimously approved the creation of this scholarship in her honour.

  1. The scholarship is named the Susan O’Brien Memorial Scholarship.
  2. One scholarship will be offered to a student in each of five years, beginning in 2023.
  3. Each scholarship will have a value of $1,500.
  4. The annual award winner will be recommended to the VJKF Board of Directors by the Program Committee. Students must have completed the one-week VJKF Program.
  5. The basis of the award will be leadership potential as demonstrated during the annual week-long VJKF Program.
  6. Payment will be made when the awardee has begun attendance at a publicly funded university or college, within two years of successfully completing grade 12. (Approved post-secondary list: https://www.collegesinstitutes.ca/our-members/member-directory/ or https://universitystudy.ca/schools/ A copy of student’s university schedule will be required to prove enrollment.)
  7. A student is only eligible to receive this scholarship once.

VERNA J. KIRKNESS EDUCATION FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

  1. Starting in 2023, up to 20 scholarships will be offered each year to students who complete the VJKF Program that year.
  2. An individual can only receive this scholarship once.
  3. Each scholarship will have a value of $500.
  4. Recipients must have participated in and graduated from one of our annual Programs.
  5. Payment will be made when the awardee has begun attendance at a publicly funded university or college, within two years of successfully completing grade 12. (Approved post-secondary list: https://www.collegesinstitutes.ca/our-members/member-directory/ or https://universitystudy.ca/schools/ A copy of student’s university schedule will be required to prove enrollment.)