Domtar is proud to support Indspire's Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries and Scholarships program. Helping to remove financial barriers, the program supports First Nations, Inuit and Métis students across Canada to pursue and complete post-secondary education.
"Education creates opportunity and strengthens communities," says Luc Thériault, Domtar’s President – Canada and CEO, Pulp and Wood Products. "We’re proud to partner with Indspire to help Indigenous students achieve their educational goals and create pathways to rewarding careers."
Colten Wycotte, a recent recipient of a Domtar-funded Building Brighter Futures scholarship, explains what the receiving the scholarship meant to him:
Attending the University of British Columbia, I have embarked on a journey of self-discovery, which has opened my mind and soul to my community and their efforts for our people.
I was inspired by my family, more so my grandfather, who brought forth the Bachelor of Indigenous Land Stewardship program to my attention. I dream to blaze a path for the generation to come and to better understand the importance of land management and sustainability; which will benefit, not just my community, but the world we live in. I have answered the call the Williams Lake First Nation has made to lift up its members and to pursue post-secondary education. I am enjoying this newfound knowledge and way of thinking, I am enjoying the forgotten freedom this program has reminded me could exist; I spend it with my daughter Reyna.
I have given a lot of time and energy working for money; an immense amount of family time working long hours, day and night to provide. I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t my passion. I decided to put my all into schooling, and I knew I couldn’t do that if I was trying to keep a job as well as trying to learn; this scholarship from Domtar has given me relief, given me pride, and the motivation I needed, which I used to push forward with my studies as well as enjoy my time at home with my family.
Organizations such as Domtar, who are supporting Indigenous scholars such as myself, aren’t going unnoticed. I believe Domtar is sharing the same values as myself; working and making things work in this busy big world of ours, while keeping the environment and everything which shares it in good balance. I thank everyone who is behind me, inspiring me, cheering me on, and this includes everyone at Domtar, my community of the Williams Lake First Nation, as well as my family and friends.
Kukwstsetsemc, Thank you
Colten Wycotte
The next application deadline for Building Brighter Futures is November 1, 2026. Students can apply for the Domtar-funded scholarship here: Domtar – Indspire Funding.
