OTTAWA, Sept. 7 /CNW/ - Ms. Rima Aristocrat, President and CEO of Willis College of Business & Technology announced this week the establishment of the Joseph Tokwiro Norton Scholarship in Technology to be awarded annually to an Aboriginal student in Canada. It has a value of $18,000 per annum.
Ms. Aristocrat believes firmly in community involvement and contributing to society. The inspiration for the establishment of the Joseph T. Norton scholarship is an extension of an event that took place last month at an international learning conference hosted by UNEVOC Canada in Winnipeg. At the conference, she watched and listened to Native dancer, George Bear, whose struggle with his own education touched Ms. Aristocrat. She responded to his "talk from the heart" by awarding him a scholarship to attend 105-year-old Willis College.
"It is hard to believe that by helping George Bear, whose words touched my soul; that it would inspire in him such hope and a new positive outlook on life," said Ms. Aristocrat.
Upon returning to Ottawa, she and her staff decided to make this a renewable scholarship and to honour a person she highly admires: Joseph Norton, who is the Grand Chief of the Mohawk Community of Kahnawake just south of Montreal, Quebec.
Ms. Aristocrat's respect for Chief Norton has been long-standing. "I could not think of another person that has been so dedicated to Aboriginal people and their future than Chief Joseph Norton," said Ms. Aristocrat.
For more then 20 years, Chief Norton has exhibited the highest standards of dedication, loyalty, and perseverance in leading his community. He has been involved in education for many years. Chief Norton continues to represent First Nations and their issues throughout the world. He serves on several Boards of Directors and continues his support of education. His exemplary leadership has resulted in the Mohawks' achievement of significant cultural and economic presence within the Aboriginal community, and in Canada as a whole.
Any Aboriginal student in Canada who wishes to apply may do so directly to the college by April 1st. The selection will be made by representatives from the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, the Assembly of First Nations and Willis College and will entitle the candidate to attend the program of his/her choice at the College.
Willis College is Canada's leading e-Business and Internet Technologies private college centred in Ottawa, Ontario. Its dynamic IT programs are uniquely designed to prepare students for careers in e-Business, networking, web application development and design. Rima Aristocrat has been recognized throughout North America for her initiatives in quality IT training, e-Learning, and the establishment of standards for IT education.
"Education is the key to the future," said Ms. Aristocrat. "Our humble goal is to make a real difference in an individual's life that will continue to grow and to inspire others to give, to improve our communities and to create opportunities for a better world."