Bearspaw First Nation Trust Fuels Educational Dreams for Students

In a significant step towards enhancing educational opportunities, the Bearspaw First Nation has launched the Ozîja Thiha Education Trust (OTET), providing crucial scholarships for its members pursuing post-secondary education. This initiative, established by Bearspaw Chief Darcy Dixon and the council in 2022, aims to support students like Katea Kootenay, who have faced challenges in their educational journeys.

Kootenay, a member of the Bearspaw band, experienced the difficulties of balancing her studies with two full-time jobs after leaving her foster home at 18. Despite these challenges, she is determined to become a registered counsellor. “I would be in school full time and then, in the evening, I would go to work,” Kootenay explained. Learning about OTET from her cousin provided her with a much-needed financial lifeline, enabling her to focus on her studies without the burden of excessive work hours.

The OTET distributed a record total of $55,700 to 31 students for the fall 2025 semester. According to Rob Shotclose, CEO of Bearspaw First Nation and chairman of OTET, the trust’s overall goal is to support members in their educational ventures, fostering success that could benefit the entire nation. “If they get their education and succeed, they can see the other side of the world,” he stated.

The trust provides funding for living allowances, travel expenses, and study supplies, which Kootenay describes as a “blessing.” “I don’t have anyone to support me, but the fact that my band supports me with scholarships is just so amazing,” she said. Her personal experiences, including a challenging childhood marked by generational trauma, have shaped her desire to help others through her future counselling practice, KJ Counseling.

Another beneficiary of the OTET is Lonnie Dixon, who also received scholarships for both fall 2024 and fall 2025. Dixon faced a difficult educational environment as the only Indigenous student in a predominantly non-Indigenous school. Despite these challenges, he heeded the advice of his grandparents to pursue education outside his community. He is currently studying for a Bachelor of Arts in International Indigenous Studies at the University of Calgary, with aspirations of becoming a lawyer.

“I don’t see education as just western education anymore,” Dixon said, emphasizing the importance of integrating cultural knowledge with academic learning. His scholarships from OTET have alleviated the financial pressures associated with being a student. “Knowing that my bills were going to be paid and I’d have food in my fridge took a lot of attention off of me,” he reflected.

The OTET aims to create a sustainable support system for Bearspaw band members and their families. Unlike other scholarships open to the broader public, OTET scholarships have a smaller pool of applicants, increasing the chances of securing funding for students. The funding primarily comes from donations by corporations and individuals, alongside investments made by the Bearspaw First Nation.

While Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) covers tuition costs for many First Nation students, Shotclose noted that this support often falls short of keeping pace with population growth. “A lot of OTET funding is help and support for supplies and living allowance,” he explained. The trust also extends its support to general list members, who are connected to Bearspaw but may not qualify for ISC funding.

Shotclose expressed gratitude for the initiative launched by Chief Dixon and the 2022 council, recognizing the importance of supporting young band members in their educational pursuits. “Hopefully as we grow, we can fund more for these students,” he added.

For more information about the Ozîja Thiha Education Trust or to contribute, interested parties can visit otet.ca. This initiative not only empowers individual students but also fosters a spirit of community support, setting a powerful example for Indigenous education initiatives across the country.