LAC LA BICHE – Lac La Biche-area resident Lyric Jesso was one of nine Portage College students who received the Métis Scholar Award during a ceremony that took place at the post-secondary institution’s Lac La Biche campus on Feb. 27.
For Jesso, who is enrolled in the Environmental Technologist diploma program at Portage College, being bestowed with the designation is special. The Métis Scholar Award is given to students who are registered in a post-secondary program and have demonstrated leadership within the provincial Otipemisiwak Métis Government and its communities.
“I feel honoured to receive this award and be recognized for the hard work I have contributed into my personal growth as well as the growth of my community and the Métis government as a whole,” Jesso told Lakeland This Week.
In addition to his studies at Portage College, Jesso, who graduated from JA Williams (JAWS) High School in 2024, is involved in volunteering. He served as the Lac La Biche County Junior Citizen of the Year in 2023, is a member of Lac La Biche County Fire Rescue service, and has done work with the Métis Nation of Alberta, now called the Otipemisiwak Métis Government.
Jesso received a notification three days prior to the awards ceremony by the Portage College awards officer informing him that he had been selected as a recipient for the award.
“The sense of accomplishment is overwhelming as I often get so caught up in my academics and work life that I forget to stop and appreciate my commitments for what they are, and I often find myself being unable to recognize how far I have actually come in the past four years,” he said.
As stated in information from Portage College, the Métis Scholar Award, which started in 2009, is provided by the Métis Education Foundation Endowment Fund, and symbolizes collaboration between Portage College, the Métis Education Fund, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, and the Rupertsland Institute.
Certain criteria are required to be met for a student to be eligible to receive the award, this includes being enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or graduate program at Portage College, have proof of Métis ancestry, as well as a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Recipients of the award are chosen by a committee made up of representatives from Portage College and the Métis Education Foundation.
The monetary value of each respective award for successful applicants varies from $1,500-$10,000.
Also receiving the Métis Scholar Awards are:
Mylo Berton - Environmental Technologist
Shantae Bourassa - Environmental Technologist
Cheyenne Gamblin - Early Learning & Childcare
Jayelynn Michaud - Professional Cooking
Tiffany Obstfeld - Practical Nurse
Heather Cappis - Early Learning & Childcare
Lexis Ouellette - Practical Nurse
Nolan Tercier - Computer Programming & Information Technology
According to Andrea Sandmaier, president of the Métis Education Fund and the current president of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, the objective of the award is to encourage academic achievement and provide resources to Métis learners.
“Education is a powerful tool for self-determination, and through this ongoing partnership, we are ensuring that Métis learners have the resources they need to succeed,” Sandmaier stated. “The Métis Education Foundation remains committed to fostering opportunities that empower our citizens, strengthen our nation, and build a legacy of academic achievement for generations to come.”
Lisa Savill, the senior executive officer for the Rupertsland Institute, said the Métis Scholar Awards provide financial support for Métis students pursuing higher education, reducing financial barriers, and fostering student success.
Beyond this, the awards also recognize and validate Métis identity within post-secondary institutions, and encourage cultural inclusion and awareness, enduring Métis students feel seen and supported in their academic journeys.
“The Métis Scholar Awards are a meaningful step toward ensuring that Métis students have equitable access to education while reinforcing the importance of Métis heritage and identity within academic institutions,” Savill said.
