Strathcona is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Strathcona Momentum Indigenous Scholarship. The Momentum Indigenous Scholarship recognizes students who are chasing their goals, pursuing their passions and creating their own path forward.
The $5,000 scholarship celebrates driven, community-minded individuals pursuing education in all forms, from post-secondary programs to skilled trades. With no age limit, applications are open to Indigenous students from communities near Strathcona’s operating areas in northern Alberta and southwest Saskatchewan to help students achieve their academic and career goals.
Congratulations to our 2026 winners:
George Houle, Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake First Nation – Third-time recipient, graduates this fall with an Honors Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from the University of Alberta.
Keestin Stanley, Frog Lake First Nation – First-time recipient, will attend the University of Alberta for Film Studies this fall.
Lloyd Cardinal, Beaver Lake Cree Nation – First-time recipient, is working toward a degree in Education after years as a cultural facilitator “oskapewis” with the Edmonton Catholic School District.
Cindy Myo, Saulteaux First Nation – First-time recipient, is attending the University of Toronto for a Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Diploma after 20 years as an Indigenous nurse in Edmonton.
Violet Janvier, Cold Lake First Nation – First-time recipient and a retired Elder, is enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Denesuline Language Studies at the University of Blue Quills.
Sydney Ung, Beaver Lake Cree Nation – First-time recipient, will attend the University of Alberta for a Bachelor of Science in Immunology and Infection.
Kenisha Mitsuing, Saulteaux First Nation – First-time recipient, is studying in the Indian Teacher Education Program (ITEP) at the University of Saskatchewan, working toward becoming an elementary teacher.
Shontelle West, Cold Lake First Nation – First-time recipient, is pursuing a Master’s of Indigenous Education at Blue Quills University while working full-time as a teacher.
Sorin Nygren, Frog Lake First Nation – Second-time recipient, continues to pursue a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Calgary.
Carmen Poitras, Whitefish (Goodfish Lake First Nation) – First-time recipient, is pursuing a Doctorate in Distance Education at Athabasca University, focused on Indigenous sovereignty and decolonizing education.
Emma Desjarlais, Elizabeth Metis Settlement – Fourth-time recipient, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta.
Cash Seguin, Metis Nation of Alberta Region 2 – First-time recipient, is attending the University of Alberta for a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, with plans for a Master’s in Physiotherapy.
Marisa Thistle, Cold Lake First Nation – First-time recipient, is pursuing her passion for creativity and design at Bow Valley College, where she is studying Digital Design.
We are proud to support these individuals as they take their next step in education and look forward to seeing where their creativity and ambition take them.
