Xerox helps send eight Aboriginal students to university or college for IT studies

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia - Xerox Canada Ltd. today announced that eight outstanding Aboriginal students have been selected as the winners of the 2001 Xerox Canada Aboriginal Scholarship Program. The winners, who are currently enrolled in university or college programs, were named at the Atlantic Economic Summit, a conference here that seeks to build Aboriginal and corporate relationships.

The students each received a $3,000 annual scholarship, renewable for up to four years, to be applied to information technology study programs at the student's college or university of choice. The Xerox Aboriginal Scholarship program is designed to support the advancement of Aboriginal people in the information technology industry so that they can share in the economic prosperity of the information age.

"Xerox Canada is delighted to once again help Aboriginal men and women realize their dream of an advanced education," said Cameron Hyde, president, Xerox Canada. "We are proud of our longstanding commitment to the Aboriginal community and particularly this program to help individuals better participate in today's technology-focused economy."

This year's scholarship recipients are:

* Matthew Dunn, of Metis heritage, from Watrous, Saskatchewan; * Laura Gislason, of Metis heritage, from Winnipeg, Manitoba; * Bernadine Grant, of Metis heritage, from Edmonton, Alberta; * Lindsay Heal, of Metis heritage, from Fort St. John, British Columbia; * Raymond Madahbee, of the Sheguiandah First Nation, from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario; * Cliff Tawpisin, of the Muskeg Lake First Nation, from Leask, Saskatchewan; * Amie Therrien, of Metis heritage, from Penetang, Ontario; * Marc Timmerman, of Metis heritage, from Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Established in 1994, the Xerox Canada Aboriginal Scholarship Program provides financial support for Aboriginal students pursuing studies related to the information technology fields such as computer or mathematical sciences, engineering or business administration at a university or college. Each scholarship is awarded for as many as four years for university programs and three years for college programs, provided the recipient is enrolled in his or her program for a subsequent year.

Winners were selected by a committee of Xerox Canada executives and Aboriginal leaders who evaluated applicants based on:

* Leadership or role model qualities demonstrated through community involvement and extracurricular activities; * The degree to which the applicant's post-secondary studies will lead to a career in information technology; and * Academic achievement.

In addition to the Scholarship Program, Xerox Canada also supports the advancement of Aboriginal peoples through various corporate commitments. They include support for organizations and initiatives that advance the well-being of Aboriginal peoples such as the funding of a Chair of Information Technology at the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College, and the annual Circle for 2015 Dinner, which brings together Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal leaders to showcase the business opportunities that exist within Aboriginal communities.

These initiatives earned Xerox Canada bronze level certification under the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business's Progressive Aboriginal Relations program, which assesses the performance of corporations in their relations and involvement with the Aboriginal community. This confirmed Xerox as one of only two companies to achieve advanced recognition for its commitment to Aboriginal peoples.