Left to right: Kim Chipman, Kathy Staples, Wesley Hannah, Zoey Murray and Landeyn Aymont.
Left to right: Kim Chipman, Kathy Staples, Wesley Hannah, Zoey Murray and Landeyn Aymont.
The Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) Portage Local’s Education Committee has awarded its 2025 Financial Technical Assistance Awards to two local university students, recognizing their academic excellence, leadership, and deep community involvement.
At the September General Meeting, Logan Rands and Zoey Murray each received a $500 award, funded entirely through the committee’s local fundraising efforts, to help with educational expenses like textbooks and technology.
“The competition was incredibly stiff this year,” said June Murray, the committee’s Education Lead, during the presentation. She noted that student interest in the awards saw a more than 500 per cent increase this year.
Murray praised both recipients for their shared qualities, including strong leadership skills, a dedicated work ethic, and active participation in cultural traditions like hunting and fishing.
“Both have benefited profoundly from the involvement of their grandparents and extended family,” Murray said. “The saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ is strongly exemplified here.”
Logan Rands is a fourth-year business degree student at Minot State University, where he majors in finance and serves as an assistant captain for the men’s hockey team. As he was unable to attend, his mom, Rochelle Rands, accepted the award on his behalf.
Zoey Murray is a fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Agriculture student at the University of Manitoba, specializing in agronomy. She holds executive positions on two student councils and is an active organizer of the “Aggie Bedpush,” an annual fundraiser for STARS Air Ambulance and farmers’ mental health.
“Every little bit counts, definitely when we’re in school,” Murray said upon accepting her award.
The MMF Portage Local’s Education Committee works to provide information about scholarships, advocate for students, and raise money for its annual awards. Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to reapply next year and to attend a tutorial session in May on strengthening their applications.
Also at the meeting, the local presented about an upcoming project meant to revitalize the Michif language in the area. A main focus will be hosting language workshops if there’s enough interest. Currently there are only 900 language speakers left in the province. According to Tessa Stewart with the MMF’s Michif Language Department, the organization has worked on multiple language projects that have seen much success in reviving the Michif language in various dialects. If anyone has experience, even intermediate skill in speaking the language, the local would love to hear from you, Stewart noted.
A monument or garden focusing on the language was also voted on to create a committee to start planning in the coming months.
The local is also busy preparing for the upcoming gala on September 27.
For more information, call the satellite office at 204-857-7039.
— Renée Lilley is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Portage Graphic. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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