January 21, 2009 - WINNIPEG - The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF) announced last week that Great-West Life, one of Canada's  largest and most respected insurance companies, has agreed to develop financial support for Aboriginal students totaling $150,000 over the next three years.

Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life will contribute $50,000 annually over three years to fund bursaries supporting students enrolled in post-secondary studies or training and development programs of at least one-year duration. These bursaries fill a gap, identified by the National Aboriginal Foundation, in financial support available to Aboriginal students interested in upgrading their education or taking part in one- or two-year vocational programs.

"The Foundation is very excited to welcome Great-West Life as a new partner in our education program," said President and CEO of the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation Roberta Jamieson. "I am delighted to commend Great West Life as a company that has taken such leadership in supporting the development of our youth through education “

The bursary initiative extends the companies' existing relationship with the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, one that, since 1994, has included sponsorship of The National Aboriginal Achievement Awards, post-secondary scholarships, and other initiatives.

Jan Belanger, Assistant Vice-President of Community Affairs at Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life said that the bursary award initiative reflects the companies' understanding that education and the pursuit of knowledge play a fundamental role in helping Aboriginal students reach their goals. The Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life Bursary Award is national in scope and isn't limited to education supporting the needs of a particular industry.  

"Working closely with National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, we've developed a financial assistance program that meets needs outside the scope of many industry- and regionally-specific bursaries currently available," Belanger said.  "This funding responds to the needs of individual students on a broader basis. Helping them fulfill their educational and vocational ambitions is part of our focus on helping build stronger communities from coast to coast. "    

The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF) is a nationally registered non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to deliver programs that provide the tools necessary for Aboriginal peoples, especially youth, to achieve brighter futures. Since 1985 the Foundation through its Education Program has awarded more than $30-million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 8,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis students nationwide. NAAF's key initiatives include: The National Aboriginal Achievement Awards (NAAA) a national annual broadcast celebrating 14 achievers in a multitude of career areas including a special youth award and an award for lifetime achievement; Taking Pulse joins NAAF with industry to present career options in specific growth sectors through a series of short documentaries and supporting curriculum materials with the aim of recruiting First Nations, Inuit & Métis youth; and Blueprint for the Future (BFF) a series of one-day career fairs that motivate and inspire  First Nations, Inuit and Métis high school students with valuable resources and information on career opportunities. Over 30,000 students have attended these exciting youth oriented events to date nationwide.

For more information, please contact:

John Ecker
Vice President, Communications and Media Relations
National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation
B: 416-987-0260
C: 647.408.5044
jecker@naaf.ca