Overview

The Deborah Chatsis Indigenous Scholarship was established in 2021 in partnership with the Canadian Ambassadors Alumni Association (AMB CANADA) and The Professional Association of Foreign Service Workers (PAFSO). This award is offered to an outstanding Indigenous graduate student enrolled in a program in the Faculty of Public Affairs, with preference given to students who pursue studies at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA). The recipient will have the opportunity to apply for an internship at the Canadian Mission to the United Nations in Geneva.

The Background

Deborah Chatsis was a member of the Ahtahkakoop First Nation in Saskatchewan and was one of the first Indigenous women to join the Foreign Service.  She served in five posts abroad as well as senior assignments at Global Affairs headquarters before becoming Canada’s Ambassador to Vietnam and then to Guatemala and High Commissioner to Belize. She was also a senior advisor to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and worked in the Privy Council Office on indigenous issues. It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Deborah Chatsis in June 2022

In keeping with her proven history of excellence and contribution to domestic and international affairs, we’d like to raise funds for this scholarship to encourage Indigenous students to pursue studies in International Affairs and to continue to contribute domestically and globally.

The Rollout

The funds will be used to build the scholarship fund to ensure its stability so that we can continue to attract dynamic Indigenous students to study International Affairs.