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Siga Indigenous scholarship awards program

Pimâcihowin:

Helping to build a brighter future

SIGA is a progressive organization with guiding principles rooted in our First Nations’ heritage. Our principle Pimâcihowin refers to making a living, and we understand education and continued learning are essential ingredients in doing so. We also know training, upgrading and education programs cost money. That’s why we established our SIGA Indigenous Scholarship Program.

In 2025, our program will award $60,000 in scholarships. These awards will be distributed through three different scholarships, SIGA Justice Paul Favel Indigenous Award for Outstanding Leadership in Community Involvement, Shauna Bear Memorial Scholarship for Aspiring Indigenous Human Resources Professionals, and SIGA Scholarships for First Nation Post-Secondary Students.

Elevating Our Future Generations
SIGA INDIGENOUS SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS PROGRAM

SIGA’s mission is to strengthen the lives of Indigenous Peoples in Saskatchewan through employment, economic growth and community relations. By establishing strategic alliances, SIGA will be well positioned to fulfilling its mission as an organization. By sharing success, all people will benefit and bring about many positive relationships to meet our mission as an organization.

We accept applications from all post-secondary school programs but please note that priority will be given to those in:

  • Business
  • Information Technology (IT)
  • Law
  • Communications
  • Project Management
  • Social Work
  • Gaming
  • Culinary Arts
APPLICATION DATES
Our 2025-2026 SIGA Indigenous Scholarship Award Program intake opens June 16, 2025 and closes August 24, 2025.
APPLY FOR ONE OF OUR GAME-CHANGING SCHOLARSHIPS
SIGA Justice Paul Favel Indigenous Award for Outstanding Leadership in Community Involvement
The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority is pleased to offer this scholarship award of $5,000, which will be presented to an Indigenous student in a full-time academic program, who is studying a Saskatchewan post-secondary institution. The award will honour a student who has shown tremendous commitment to Indigenous culture, their community and their own education. The chosen student will exemplify the qualities that Justice Favel has demonstrated over his career, including a commitment to Indigenous activism and to representing the spirit of Indigenous Peoples.
Shauna Bear Memorial Scholarship for Aspiring Indigenous Human Resources Professionals
SIGA remembers the loss of a member of the SIGA family, with the passing of Vice President of Human Resources, Shauna Bear. Shauna, passed away on Sunday, August 15, 2021, after a courageous battle with colon cancer. SIGA and Shauna Bear’s family are honouring her memory with the creation of four post-secondary scholarship awards, valued at $5,000, $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000. We are looking for students who embody the legacy that Shauna has left behind in the spirit of lifelong learning, creating spaces for Indigenous Peoples, and for those pursuing Human Resources professions.
SIGA Scholarships for First Nation Post-Secondary Students
The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority is pleased to offer forty five (45) scholarship awards valued at $1,000 each. This scholarship is designed to celebrate First Nation students pursuing post-secondary education within Saskatchewan and Sharing Success with our community. The recipients selected will have been recognized for their displayed commitment to their studies through their academic average, their involvement in the community around them through volunteerism or advocacy, their commitment to First Nation culture and language, and/or their financial need towards program expenses.
Questions? See our scholarship FAQs
Can I apply for more than one of the scholarships being offered?
Yes, you can apply for all scholarships you are eligible for. However, you will need to complete separate applications for each scholarship.
No, there is an option to copy parts from previous applications onto new ones. There is a linked document on the first question that asks you, “Which scholarship are you applying for?” that shows you how to do this. Please note that your essay questions will be different for each scholarship.
We strongly recommend getting a different reference for each scholarship you apply for. However, if you need to use just one, we will still accept this.
No, you do not. While we will accept an electronic copy of your official transcripts, we only require your unofficial transcripts for the application. However, if you are selected for one of our scholarships, you will need to send your official transcripts to our Central Office to receive your scholarship.
  • Each institution is slightly different but if you log into your institution’s account, you should be able to find a webpage of your unofficial transcript. From there, you can either download it as a PDF or screen capture the page and upload this. Refer to the instructional document above the transcript question on the application form.
  • Sending your transcript through MyCreds or a similar academic portal is the preferred method. SIGA reserves the right to verify credentials.
Dates are subject change based on the timelines of the Scholarship Advisory Committee. We are hoping to have decisions sent out by mid-September.

We give back through sponsorships , scholarships and volunteerism

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SIGA Justice Paul Favel Indigenous Award for Outstanding Leadership in Community Involvement

The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority is pleased to offer this scholarship award of $5,000, which will be presented to an Indigenous student in a full-time academic program, who is studying at the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, First Nations University of Canada, University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, or Gabriel Dumont Institute. The award will honour a student who has shown tremendous commitment to Indigenous culture, their community and their own education. The chosen student will exemplify the qualities that Justice Favel has demonstrated over his career, including a commitment to Indigenous activism and to representing the spirit of Indigenous Peoples.

Judge Favel has served as Deputy Chief Commissioner with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission since 2011 and as a member of the Oversight Committee on the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement since 2010.

Justice Paul Favel is a member of the Poundmaker Cree Nation and former partner at McKercher LLP in Saskatoon. He was appointed by the Canadian Department of Justice and began his role as a federal court judge on December 11, 2017.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

  • Member of a recognized Saskatchewan First Nations, Inuit, or Métis band or community.
  • Enrolled in a full-time program at a Saskatchewan post-secondary institute such as: Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, First Nations University of Canada, University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, or Gabriel Dumont Institute.
  • Not an employee of Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority.
Shauna Bear Memorial Scholarship for Aspiring Indigenous Human Resources Professionals

SIGA remembers the loss of a member of the SIGA family, with the passing of Vice President of Human Resources, Shauna Bear. Shauna, passed away on Sunday, August 15, 2021, after a courageous battle with colon cancer.

She began her career with SIGA, 21 years ago, at the Northern Lights Casino (NLC) as a Human Resources Officer. During her time with NLC, Shauna worked diligently with the HR team and her hard work paid off with her earning more senior positions, which landed her at the corporate office in the role of Manager, then Director of Employee Relations — a job that she was made for.

In 2010, Shauna went on to become Vice President of Human Resources — realizing her dream of leading SIGA’s Human Resources (HR) team — a role she stayed in until her passing. Shauna proudly spoke about her HR team and the work they do and how happy it made her to be able to support the employees at SIGA casinos. As Vice President of Human Resources, Shauna’s contribution to the success of this department, and the overall success of SIGA, cannot be understated.

Shauna’s strength was in her compassionate and caring attitude and, when combined with her Human Resources expertise, it made her one of the best professionals to run SIGA’s HR department.

Shauna took her strength from her family. For her, this included her immediate and extended family. Her children, Justice and Shaenah, were her pride and joy, and her husband Shane was her partner and soulmate. Shauna loved her big extended family, which included, the Bear and Montgrand families. And of course — her SIGA family. Her work with SIGA gave her purpose. Shauna took joy in all of them.

SIGA and Shauna Bear’s family are honouring her memory with the creation of two post-secondary scholarship awards valued at $5,000 each for Indigenous students in her honour. We are looking for students who embody the legacy that Shauna has left behind in the spirit of lifelong learning, creating spaces for Indigenous Peoples, and for those pursuing Human Resources professions.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

  • Member of a recognized Saskatchewan First Nations, Inuit, or Métis band or community.
  • Enrolled in a full-time Human Resources focused program at a Saskatchewan post-secondary institute such as: Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, First Nations University of Canada, University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, or Gabriel Dumont Institute.
  • Not an employee of Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority.
SIGA Scholarships for First Nation Post-Secondary Students

The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority is pleased to offer forty (45) scholarship awards valued at $1,000 each for students who demonstrate one or more of the following categories: financial need, community involvement, commitment to culture, and academic achievement.

The SIGA Scholarship Program is designed to celebrate First Nation students pursuing post-secondary education within Saskatchewan and Sharing Success with our community. The recipients selected will have been recognized for their displayed commitment to their studies through their academic average, their involvement in the community around them through volunteerism or advocacy, their commitment to First Nations culture and language, and/or their financial need towards program expenses.

SIGA will collaborate to advance education, training, and employment opportunities within the First Nation population in Saskatchewan. The relationship between the parties will accentuate SIGA’s commitment to Saskatchewan First Nations.

SIGA is looking forward to Building Back with this scholarship program and welcoming applications from all eligible individuals. We know we will see many applicants that embody the spirit of our organization in their lives.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

  • Member of a recognized Canadian First Nation band or community (must provide proof of status).
  • Enrolled in a full-time program at a post-secondary institute in Canada.
  • Not an employee of Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority.