Indigenous Surrey Student Bursary Fund
About The Fund
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The fund was created by a long-time Surrey resident and Indigenous graduate from a Surrey School. With an interest in social equity, the donor created this fund to support Indigenous students graduating from grade 12 in SD 36 (Surrey) or in Surrey technical programs to achieve their educational and career goals.
The fund honors the memory of influential and generous Elders who have and continued to inform young leaders' paths to create safer societies for people living in Turtle Island, and the importance of being accountable to the wellbeing of the people of these lands.
The hope is that all Canadians are able to contribute to reconciliatory and healing processes, that acknowledges harms from colonial history, and see themselves as actively part of supporting opportunities and growth for young Indigenous people, now and into the future.
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Future Thinking - Artwork by Atheana Picha
I created this artwork to symbolize future generations. The salmon represent learning and the journey through education. Salmon grow up in fresh water and move out to the ocean, before coming home to spawn. The beginning of their journey starts at the river, which is also the lifeline for many of the local Salish indigenous communities. Frogs here represent new beginnings, for Coastal people the frogs singing is the first sign of spring/ the new year. Frogs traditionally represent wisdom and communication. For me, they represent cycles and growth. Frogs have an interesting life cycle, and are sensitive beings. I wanted to portray the strength and perseverance of salmon, and sensitivity and symbol of change and beginnings of frogs. I did some Coast Salish accent designs in red because red is a bold and traditional colour.
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Artist Bio
Atheana Picha is a Salish artist from the Kwantlen First Nation. Atheana was given the name Nashmenetanaht by Gerry Oleman from the St’at’imc Nation, which means “go-getter woman”. Born in Vancouver, she grew up and currently works out of Richmond, BC. She is an interdisciplinary artist, working mostly in 2-dimensional work. Picha is currently doing two apprenticeships, learning Salish wool weaving from Musqueam weaver Debra Sparrow, and learning wood carving and silver engraving from Squamish Artist and educator Aaron Nelson-Moody. Her work is grounded in learning more about Salish design through studying the old pieces, observing nature, and learning from her teachers.
Atheana studied Fine Art at Langara college for three years, with a focus on ceramics, intaglio printmaking, and wood carving, and is currently learning screen printing. Atheana is engaged with public art through her mural work throughout the vancouver area since 2018. Atheana is a two time recipient of the YVR Art Foundation emerging artist scholarship, and has works in the collections at the Museum of Vancouver, Burnaby Art Gallery, and Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art.
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In order to properly recognize all donors for their contributions, SurreyCares Community Foundation will share your name and donation amount with the fund advisor unless you have checked the anonymous box on the donation form.
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Donations to this fund will support the charity's general charitable purposes. Statements about the fund's purpose or how donations will be applied are reflective of the charity's current intent and are subject to change.
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All donations to this fund will be permanently endowed.