The Building a Better Future initiative provides financial support to eligible Syilx Okanagan Nation members. This scholarship, bursary and award initiative recognizes student perseverance and achievement to encourage our members to continue their educational pursuits.
These scholarships, bursaries and awards are for high school students graduating this Spring of 2025 and/or students starting or continuing a post-secondary program in the fall of 2025. Students are welcome to apply for multiple awards – please read eligibility requirements of each available award.
Available Bursaries for High School Graduates of 2025/26
- Syilx Siya Awards – $1000 (2 available sponsored by EMB)
- Syilx Siya Awards – $1000 (1 available sponsored by FortisBC)
Available Bursaries for Post Secondary Students
- $1500 Education for Life Award (2 available) sponsored by FortisBC
- $3500 Engineering Scholarship sponsored by EMB Management Ltd.
- $1500 Surveying, Mapping, or Geomatics Bursary sponsored by EMB
- $1500 Business Bursary sponsored by EMB
- $1500 Walking My Learning Forward Award sponsored by EMB
- $1500 Progressive Fence Syilx Bursary
Each scholarship, bursary and award have its own set of additional criteria and deadlines. Please make sure to read each award for the full set of eligibility requirements. If you are a high school student who has been accepted to a post-secondary institution in a program equal to or greater than 2 years, you are also eligible to apply for the post-secondary institution bursaries. However, post-secondary students are NOT allowed to apply for high school awards.
Important Dates
- Application deadline: Applications to open Spring 2026
- Award Announcement: July 24-25, 2024
- Payments: Summer 2025
Bursary Partnerships
Thank you to our Partners:
Fortis BC
While building the Terasen Gas Southern Crossing Pipeline, Terasen Gas (now FortisBC) forged strong relationships with the member communities of the Okanagan Nation Alliance. In recognition, Fortis BC has established a Financial Award for Okanagan Nation Alliance members who are committed to building a better future for themselves and their community through post-secondary educational studies. This bursary has been available since 2009.
EMB Management Ltd.
Formed in 2014, EMB Management Ltd. (“EMB”) offers project development, project delivery, engineering, construction management and construction inspection services to utility and infrastructure clients across Western Canada. To help support Syilx Okanagan Nation members in furthering their education, EMB introduced $10,000 in awards in 2022 as a component of our Building a Better Future Initiative.
Progressive Fence
Progressive Fence Installations Ltd. has been providing fencing and security solutions in British Columbia for over 35 years. In 1981 Progressive Fence started out as an installation company and expanded into an industry leader providing customers with state-of-the-art technology in fencing, security products, access controls and entry gate systems. Their contribution has provided $1500 towards students pursuing post-secondary education.
