TD Bank Group invests $100,000 in GPRC Indigenous Education

TD Bank Group invests $100,000 in GPRC Indigenous Education

October 7th, 2016

GRANDE PRAIRIE – Indigenous students and communities across Northern Alberta and Northeastern British Columbia will benefit from a $100,000 investment from TD Bank Group into an Integrated Indigenous Education Initiative at GPRC.

The two-year funding commitment will support GPRC’s on-campus Friendship Centre and the Elder-in-Residence program, which enhance Indigenous cultural activities and engagement for students. Additionally, funds will provide for a renewed connection between traditional Indigenous teachings and ceremonial life and post-secondary education.

The new funding commitment was announced today during GPRC’s Indigenous Student for a Day initiative, presented by TD Bank Group. Indigenous Student for a Day is an opportunity for all current and prospective students to explore Indigenous Studies at GPRC and to learn more about the Aboriginal Administration Diploma program.

“GPRC’s commitment to Indigenous education is demonstrated daily by our staff and faculty, as well as through our program offerings,” said President and CEO Don Gnatiuk. “Our Aboriginal Administration Diploma and Native Studies courses have been developed with our region’s Indigenous communities, and they are designed to educate the next generation of leaders. Student-focused programs such as Canada’s only on-campus Friendship Centre, the Circle of Aboriginal Students, and the Elder-in-Residence program put the social and community supports in place and create the cultural understanding vital for our students to succeed.”

TD’s commitment to GPRC will help ensure these programs continue to grow to meet the changing needs of our students. The Integrated Indigenous Education Initiative will also enable increased traditional and land-based learning, and more opportunities for cultural and ceremonial activities.

“TD is proud to support the Integrated Indigenous Education Initiative, helping to keep students connected to their heritage as they adjust to student life through resources, support networks and mentorship programs,” said Francesca Mastrobuono, District Vice President, Commercial Banking. “Our donation will provide increased cultural activities and engagement, more traditional learnings and land based experiences while also being supported by the Elder in Residence Program. This gift reinforces TD’s commitment to helping Indigenous students succeed by integrating indigenous pedagogy, ceremonial life and post-secondary education.”

GPRC is a comprehensive community institution publicly supported to provide opportunities in post-secondary education in northwestern Alberta. Established in 1966 in Grande Prairie, GPRC now includes campuses in Fairview and Grande Prairie, and learning centres in Edson, Grande Cache, Hinton and Jasper. GPRC offers a wide variety of career certificates and diplomas, pre-employment and apprenticeship trades, university transfer studies, and several opportunities for on-campus degree completion at baccalaureate and master levels through collaborations with four-year universities. For more information, visit gprc.ab.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Mark Evans
Corporate Communications
GPRC
Phone: 780-539-2951

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