First Nations Health and Science-Related Career Promotion Grants

Grants of up to $5,000 to British Columbia First Nation bands and schools for projects to promote health and science-related careers in First Nation communities. Funding may be used to cover costs such as materials, supplies, facility rental, admission fees, fees for guest speakers, student transportation, etc.

The geographic regions are as follows: 

Gitskan/Wet’suwet’en, Haida/Tsimshian/Haisla/Nisga’a, Kaska/Dene/Tahltan/Tagish/Inland Tlinglt/Tsek’ene, Kootenay/Okanagan, Kwakwaka'wakw/Heiltsuk/Nuxalk/Oweekeno, Nuu-chah-nuulth/Coast Salish, Secwepmec/Stl’atl’im/Nlaka’pamux, and Tsilhqot’in/Carrier/Sekani. 

Objectives: 

• To promote, amongst participating First Nation students, a greater awareness of and interest in careers related to health and sciences.
• To empower students to take a pro-active approach to planning a career path by increasing their understanding of the benefits of education as key to labor market participation and by providing information about health and science careers.
• To assist students in developing a better understanding of the academic and practical milestones that need to be met in order to access a range of careers in the health and science fields, including post-secondary prerequisites, K-12 course planning materials, and admissions requirements.
• To encourage First Nation students to have a positive perspective on continuing their education, particularly in health and science programs.

Eligible Project Activities: 

Applicants are encouraged to design project activities that are appropriate for each community and are following the Provincial public health order related to COVID-19. Activities can be done virtually, socially distanced, or at home via individual kits/packages. Suggested eligible project activities include:

• Opportunities designed to help students explore and prepare for health and science careers;
  
• Tutoring and homework clubs to promote higher levels of student achievement in courses required for post-secondary acceptance, could be done via zoom/online;
• Initiatives to inform parents about health and science related careers and educational opportunities;
• Workshops for students to promote health and science related career planning;
• Relevant field trips, science camps, and sponsored attendance at health career fairs;
• Hosting of role model(s) or other guest speakers who can share information about health and science careers; and
• Visits to and opportunities to explore post-secondary institutes that offer health and science programs, which are now being conducted virtually. Because of this, the funds could go to any online costs for the virtual tours or for package materials sent to students with post-sec. details including those that are specific to the needs of Aboriginal learners. 

Possible Areas of Focus: 

• Self-Assessment
• Career Exploration
• Post-Secondary Information
• Guest Lecturer/Speakers
• Resources to Consider

For details on the above focus areas, see here:

http://www.fnesc.ca/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20-21-Health-and-Science-Program-Guidelines.pdf#page=4

For a list of possible health careers to explore, see here:

http://www.fnesc.ca/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20-21-Health-and-Science-Program-Guidelines.pdf#page=5