Last month for Indigenous Students to apply for Petronas Canada Indigenous Education Awards program

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — With the end of the school year fast approaching, so is the deadline for a noted award program for Indigenous students.

Tuesday, June 30th, is the last day to apply for the 2026 Indigenous Education Awards program, sponsored by Petronas Canada and now in its second year.

Awards in 2026 will range from $1,000 to 5,000.

Bridget Zohner is an Indigenous relations advisor for Petronas Canada, and spoke to Energeticcity.ca about the program’s origins and how it differs from a traditional scholarship program.

“[The award] was created to fill our perceived gaps in the award world,” said Zohner. “Scholarship programs historically are pretty prescriptive in how you could spend the money. Usually, it’s just tuition and books.[Scholarships are] also based on financial need.”

“[With] an award program instead of a scholarship, [it] means that you can spend it on whatever you need to. [For example] if you have had to move cities, [from] Fort St. John to Vancouver, and you’re homesick and want to fly home for the holidays, you can use the money for that.”

While the award is open to all students of Indigenous heritage, Zohner told Energeticcity.ca, preference will be given to Treaty 8 Nations where the company conducts business.

These include Blueberry River First Nations, Doig River First Nation, Fort Nelson First Nation, Halfway River First Nation, Prophet River First Nation, Saulteau First Nations and West Moberly First Nations.

A key takeaway for both parties, said Zohner, is the creation of a future relationship between Petronas Canada and the award winners.

“We get to create a relationship with them,” said Zohner. “We still talk with all the students that applied last year and were recipients, and also [ones] that weren’t, to tell them about co-op and internship opportunities.”

To apply, one must be 18 years of age or older and of Indigenous, Inuit or Métis heritage and be a Canadian citizen. 

They must also be currently enrolled in a university or college degree, certificate or diploma or adult upgrading program.

To apply for the program, complete the online application form here. Further details are available at IndigenousAwards@PETRONASCanada.com.

The deadline to apply for the 2026 Indigenous Education Awards from Petronas Canada is Tuesday, June 30th.