The University of Lethbridge welcomed Scotiabank officials to campus on Tuesday, Feb. 7 to announce a major gift in support of First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) students.

The $150,000 investment will help launch a mentorship program aimed at post-secondary students, as well as students in junior high and high schools in Lethbridge and reserve communities throughout southern Alberta.

"This gift demonstrates Scotiabank's incredible commitment to education and the FNMI community, and sets a strong example for others to follow," says U of L President Dr. Mike Mahon.

"This gift also represents a partnership. The U of L is committed to working with Scotiabank to ensure FNMI students will have the resources they need to be successful and realize their post-secondary education aspirations. The mentorship program is a great addition to our support programs for FNMI students. We are proud of what it's accomplished already and look forward to growing this program in coming years."

There are two key elements to the program that make it unique, says U of L Faculty of Management Dean Dr. Robert Ellis.

"U of L First Nations, Métis and Inuit alumni will serve as mentors to Aboriginal students in the management and pre-management programs. The alumni will support, give advice, and help to instill confidence in the students."

In turn, the U of L Aboriginal management students being mentored will provide guidance to junior and senior high students in the local city and reserve schools. "This program will allow U of L students to act as role models for the Aboriginal students who are at the high school level.

"Education is one of five pillars of Scotiabank's global philanthropic program known As 'Bright Future'," says Shannon Burch, the VP of southern Alberta/Kootenays for Scotiabank. "We have always believed in contributing to communities in which we live, work and do business. Scotiabank takes tremendous pleasure in supporting important institutions like the University of Lethbridge."