First-year Indigenous Studies and Psychology student Kara Kennedy has been awarded a $1,000 Anishinaabe language scholarship from Anishinaabemowin Teg Inc., a non-profit charitable corporation dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Anishinaabemowin language of the Anishinaabe people of the Great Lakes region.

“This scholarship will help me enormously,” said Ms. Kennedy, who was officially presented with the award during the 16th Annual Anishinaabemowin Teg Language Conference, held in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan from March 24-28, 2010. “My family is very proud of me as my aunts and uncles are all fluent speakers. I am also very proud of myself because learning and practicing the language is a personal goal.”

Ms. Kennedy is originally from Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve in the north-eastern section of Manitoulin Island in Ontario. Applying for the scholarship, which is given to applicants who are enrolled within a language course and intended to encourage Anishnebeg language learning among youth, she submitted a five minute recording of herself speaking in Anishinaabemowin. During the recording she spoke for three minutes and sang a song for two minutes.

Each year, Anishinaabemowin Teg Inc. awards a number of scholarships, named in memorial, to students at the university, community college, high school and elementary school levels. Ms. Kennedy, who won the Lena White Odjig, Dominic Eshkawkogan Scholarship is among three recipients from universities across Canada and the United States.

“Scholarships like this are important because they are encouraging for students who are struggling to better themselves. Attaining post-secondary education is extremely sacrificing, especially who lack support or are so far from home. This is the case I feel for most Aboriginal students, as most reserves are rural and far from most urban centers, where most post-secondary institutions are located,” Ms. Kennedy said. “This scholarship encourages me to stay in school, and helps me to focus on my studies.”