In a continuation of their family tradition of education and community leadership, the Squamish Nation’s Hereditary Chief Dale Harry and his family have established the Chief Harry Family Scholarship to empower Indigenous students across Canada to pursue post-secondary education.
The scholarship, funded by The Driving Force Group of Companies (TDFG) in partnership with Indspire, a national Indigenous charity, will provide $50,000 over five years to support ten Indigenous students.
Chief Dale Harry, known as Pekultn Siyam in his ancestral language, emphasized the increasing demand for Indigenous talent in various organizations and industries. He highlighted the importance of providing education and training opportunities to ensure Indigenous individuals are prepared to seize these opportunities.
“Our motivation stems from the desire to provide Indigenous peoples with access to economic opportunities—some people can’t access that education,” he explained.
The Harry family, renowned for their community engagement and commitment to education, has a long history of advocating for educational advancement. Chief Harry’s mother, Elder Chésha7 (Gwen) Harry, has dedicated over five decades to education and has been recognized for her contributions with prestigious awards, including Quest University’s first honorary degree and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal.
“Education was one of our important things in our family,” Chief Harry reflected, emphasizing the pivotal role his parents played in instilling a passion for learning and cultural knowledge in their children.
The scholarship, named in honor of the Harry family, will support students pursuing fields such as education, social work, psychology, and the social sciences, aiming to address funding gaps in these areas.
Although the scholarship bears Chief Harry’s name, he underscored that it represents his entire family’s commitment to education.
“I was determined to carry on that legacy of education that was established by my mother,” he stated.
Ayman Ammoura, President and CEO of The Driving Force, emphasized the importance of removing financial barriers to higher education for Indigenous students. He expressed gratitude for their ability to support students in realizing their educational aspirations.
Applications for the scholarship can be found on the Indspire website, with Chief Harry expressing hope for increased corporate support for Indigenous education.
“We need more people willing, like The Driving Force, to step up and invest in our future, particularly in our youth,” he emphasized, highlighting the transformative potential of supporting young Indigenous individuals in their educational journeys.
