Thank you, Mr. Shead.

Good morning.

My name is Yvan Guy Larocque. I am a Red River Métis and a citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation. I'm currently a serving veteran, having joined the Royal Canadian Navy reserve at the age of 16. I have served for almost 23 years, in both the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force throughout my career. I am currently a reservist holding the rank of petty officer 1st class in His Majesty's Canadian Ship Chippawa in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I am also a lawyer and clinical counsel in private law at the University of Manitoba faculty of law.

My colleague Bill and I are appearing on behalf of Indspire, a federally registered charity with a vision to enrich Canada through indigenous education and by inspiring achievement.

Indspire's history is intertwined with the recognition and support of indigenous veterans. In 1995, the Senate Committee on Aboriginal Veterans, co-chaired by the late Senator Len Marchand, recommended that the Government of Canada establish a scholarship and bursary program to commemorate aboriginal veterans. Canada established the aboriginal veterans scholarship trust with a $1.1-million contribution, and Indspire was given the responsibility of administering the trust. Indspire was tasked with investing the initial $1.1-million fund and distributing scholarships from the return on the investment capital of the fund, along with additional donations received.

Indspire has successfully managed the trust and has awarded more than $1.3 million to more than 400 indigenous learners to assist with their post-secondary studies. Many of those supported have written to Indspire to share that, while they appreciated the financial support, receiving money from the trust was especially meaningful as they have either lived experiences in the military or a family connection to a first nation, Inuit or Métis veteran.

After taking responsibility for this trust, Indspire redirected its efforts to expanding its scholarship and bursary programs and initiating other, complementary programs directed to assist and promote indigenous education.

Since 1996, Indspire has distributed nearly $250 million through 75,000 scholarships and bursaries. In the 2023-24 fiscal year alone, nearly $31 million was distributed through more than 8,300 scholarships and bursaries.

I am one of the beneficiaries of this funding, having received Indspire bursaries throughout my undergraduate and my graduate degrees. I can truly say that I would not have been able to achieve the success that I have without the support of Indspire and the Canadian Armed Forces and its tuition reimbursement program.

In addition to providing scholarships and bursaries to indigenous learners across Canada, Indspire has also implemented programs and events to support indigenous students and educators while promoting indigenous excellence.

The Rivers to Success program, for example, provides indigenous students in high school and post-secondary education, as well as those making their career transition after graduation, access to supports, including tutoring, mentorship, financial literacy, culture and language resources, résumé writing and interview preparation. The annual national gathering for indigenous education provides a forum for educators to network, learn strategies for engaging with students, share best practices in the classroom and examine emerging trends affecting indigenous students in Canada.

Each year, the Soaring indigenous youth empowerment gathering provides indigenous high school students from across Canada opportunities to learn about career and post-secondary education options so that they can be inspired to complete their studies and make informed decisions about their future.

Finally, the annual Indspire awards honour first nations, Inuit and Métis individuals who exemplify indigenous excellence and whose stories inspire, uplift and educate Canadians about the tremendous contributions of indigenous people in Canada. They serve as role models to indigenous youth.

Indspire can provide these critical funding supports, impactful programs and events because of our partnerships with indigenous and private and public sector supporters, including the Government of Canada.

Again, we thank the committee for the opportunity to contribute to this important study of the experience of indigenous veterans and Black veterans, and we're pleased to address any questions you may have.

Thank you.