A Grade 12 student in Abbotsford has been named as one of 20 recipients of the RBC Future Launch Indigenous Youth Scholarship, valued at $10,000 per year for up to four years.
Clayton Ritchie, from Sumas First Nation, is graduating from Yale Secondary. He starts the sociology program at University of B.C. in the fall, with plans to become a lawyer and eventually open his own law firm.
Ritchie discovered a passion for law after he was selected as one of 12 students in the district to attended UBC’s Legal Boot Camp.
“This was a week-long introduction to the world of law where we walked through different education steps, from applying to university and what to expect, and eventually learning about all the different fields,” he said. “This gave me a stronger sense of the direction I want to take in life.”
After Ritchie completes his bachelor of arts, he plans to spend a year with his community in the longhouse and then hopes to attend the Peter Allard School of Law, specializing in criminal and Indigenous law.
RELATED: Ten Abbotsford students chosen as Indigenous Role Models for 2023
“I would like to then hopefully start my own firm and go on to create a better environment to help support my fellow Indigenous peoples,” he said.
Ritchie was one of 10 Abbotsford students who earlier this year were selected as this year’s Indigenous Role Models. He is connected to his culture through drumming, singing, learning the Halq’emeylem language, and participating in Longhouse events.
He was also recognized for being a strong school leader providing mentorship for other students.
More than 300 Indigenous youth from across Canada were considered for the annual award, which is now in its 30th year and recognizes both strong academic performance and community involvement.
The recipients share a vision for the future, including giving back to their communities and creating a more inclusive Canada that unlocks more opportunities and equity for Indigenous peoples.
Based on the upcoming report Untapped Potential in Canada from RBC and Culture Foundry, scholarships provide key support to students by covering costs and lessening the barriers to education.
This is particularly true for the student groups that are often absent from the scholarship ecosystem including Indigenous scholars.