Rio Tinto, a proud supporter of the 2019 Indspire Awards
MONTREAL, March 1, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Rio Tinto was a proud Platinum Partner to the 2019 Indspire Awards, held in Calgary on February 22. Indspire Award recipients provide inspiration for Indigenous young people and serve to educate all Canadians about the tremendous contributions that Indigenous people are making across the country.
In addition, Rio Tinto sponsored Indspire's Soaring: Indigenous Youth Empowerment Gathering, also in Calgary, and had a kiosk where employees presented Rio Tinto activities and work opportunities. As well, a workshop, entitled "Rio Tinto, a world of possibilities" with Lisa Grant, past recipient of a Rio Tinto Award (see below) and now a Rio Tinto employee was held during the day.
According to Ms. Grant: "Education is important and vital to our First Nations communities' futures. With hard work, dedication and persistence our younger generations can gain a higher education and give our community a voice in industry."
Rio Tinto Award for Indigenous Students
Rio Tinto is also proud, also in conjunction with Indspire, to contribute to the development of future Indigenous leaders across Canada with the Rio Tinto Award for post-secondary students.
We contributed $1 million to the creation of the Rio Tinto Award for Indigenous Students, administered through Indspire's Building Brighter Futures program. Our contribution was matched by the Canadian government, providing a total of $2 million in bursaries for Indigenous students.
Since 2015, the Award has funded more than 1,300 Indigenous students. Ninety three per cent of the students who Indspire supports graduate, ready to realise their incredible potential and be leaders in the community.
The award prioritizes students in science, technology, engineering and math disciplines but is also available more broadly to students in any discipline including trades, and is available to students of any age pursuing post-secondary education, including adult learners.
Of note, past recipient Lisa Grant is a member of the Heiltsuk and Git'ga'at First Nation on Canada's West Coast. Ms. Grant is now a communities and communications advisor at Rio Tinto. https://www.riotinto.com/ourcommitment/spotlight-18130_25311.aspx
The Rio Tinto Award is made possible by the Rio Tinto Aluminium Fund Canada, which aims to generate value in our host communities in alignment with our business strategy and goals. Since its creation in 2008, the Fund has invested over $10 million annually in major projects and initiatives to improve quality of life in the regions where we operate.
Other First Nations organizations supported by Rio Tinto, include: Pathways to Education in Mashteuiatsh, Quebec and the Breakfast Clubs in Northern British Columbia.
SOURCE Rio Tinto
Douglas Chow, Director, Media Relations, Canada & Americas, [email protected]
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