BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES: 2025 AKWESASNE STUDENT BURSARY AWARDS

Each year, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne partners with the Bank of Montreal (BMO) and Enbridge to award bursaries to Akwesasne youth pursuing post-secondary education. Education is a powerful tool for building brighter futures — and these students have shown determination, resilience, and a commitment to their goals. The Akwesasne Student Bursary Awards not only celebrate individual achievement, but also reflect the collective strength of our community, where encouragement, opportunity, and cultural pride help our youth succeed. This year’s ceremony was held on Friday, August 8, 2025, at the Kawehno:ke Recreation Center, where MCA proudly recognized the accomplishments of this year’s recipients, emphasized the importance of honouring our youth’s successes, and encouraged them to draw on the strength and support of the community throughout their journey.

Congratulations to recipients of this year’s BMO Awards:

Roclan Boots
Rylee Cole
Alivia David
Ethan Jacobs
Ieionkwenhawi Lazore
Blake Nutall
Joey Phillips
Kaysia Swamp
Drey Thompson
Tayla Thompson-Mitchell

Congratulations to recipients of this year’s Enbridge Awards:

Jaylan Adams
Travayla Back
Kyra Benedict-Sylvester
Chuya Cook
Louie Diabo
Lyta Francis-Smerdon
Wil Lazore
Molly McDonald
Miley Mitchell
Miguel Point

Congratulations to the winners of the Wade Lafrance Memorial Award:

Jack Cook-Lazore
Kamri King
Garin Thompson

MCA extends its heartfelt nia:wen to BMO and Enbridge for their continued support in recognizing the hard work and dedication of Akwesasne students. These bursaries not only celebrate academic achievement but also encourage our youth to continue pursuing their educational goals with pride and confidence.