The Southern Chiefs’ Organization Donor Spotlight

The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) who represents 34 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations made an exciting announcement in December 2023 about their plans to transform Winnipeg’s iconic downtown Hudson’s Bay Company store.  

Their vision includes a mixed-use space and the creation of 300 much-needed housing units for members of Southern First Nations in Manitoba. Their dedication to creating new and exciting opportunities for First Nations people doesn’t end there.  

After a meeting with Grace Redhead, Director of Indigenous Relations, they bestowed the University of Winnipeg (UWinnipeg) with the creation of an endowed fund, appropriately named the Southern Chiefs’ Organization 25th Anniversary Scholarship, in honour of the SCO’s 25th anniversary. 

The fund will support a status First Nation citizen of one of SCO’s member Nations, who is also a full- or part-time continuing student at UWinnipeg and who has completed a minimum of 12 credit hours.  

It was important to the SCO that the award be based on academic merit and awarded to a student who demonstrates academic promise. In keeping with the SCO’s tradition of philanthropic leadership, the successful candidate must also demonstrate community involvement, either on campus, in their community, or in the community at large. 

The creation of this award furthers the SCO’s advocacy of Indigenous people and will offer students valuable educational opportunities to grow and succeed. The University of Winnipeg Foundation is grateful to the SCO for its commitment to its students and for their investment in their future. If you are considering creating an award, please contact our team of Giving Officers who are happy to answer any questions you might have by emailing development@uwinnipeg.ca.