“Bimaadiziwin” is an Ojibwe word that means ‘good life’.

The good life does not mean making money, buying material things or pursuing fame. Rather, it has to do with taking care of yourself, your family and your community. It is showing love by performing acts of kindness. It is having the courage to be honest with ourselves and with others. It is getting wisdom through years of listening to others and learning from our mistakes. It is being generous to our family and community without expecting anything in return. It is living life as a kind, humble member of the community.

Through the Bimaadiziwin Fund, we will help make this good way of life possible for Indigenous students at Carleton.

The purpose of this fund is to provide financial assistance to Indigenous students participating in the IESP program who are unable to meet immediate and essential expenses as a result of a temporary hardship related to a personal emergency situation. These hardships can include, lack of funds to get food, lack of daycare, lack of funds for textbooks and supplies, limited or no access to technology, need for counseling services, or simply missing community support. Endowed in 2016 through the generous support of Ed Ireland. The Bimaadiziwin Fund will exist in perpetuity to support current and future generations of Indigenous students.

The Indigenous Enriched Support Program (IESP) is one of only two programs in Canada that provides students with a route to university degree admission while gaining credits that count to a future degree. In the first year of study, the IESP integrates familiar Indigenous traditions and cultural experiences into academic learning to ensure a supportive learning environment and a smooth transition into the university system. IESP-supported students have entered into a Carleton degree program with an 80% success rate of completion.

Photo credit of “Locavore” sculpture in the Quad by Mary Anne Barkhouse