Metis Nation of Ontario and Detour Gold Pledge to Create Metis Bursary Fund

TIMMINS, ON--(Marketwired - February 18, 2016) - Representatives from the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO), Detour Gold, Collège Boréal, and Northern College met Friday to sign Memorandum of Understanding agreements to formalize the creation of a bursary program to assist Métis students in their pursuit of higher education.

Funds have been made available to Métis students at both colleges for the past two years; however Friday's signing solidifies this relationship and formally creates a Métis Nation of Ontario and Detour Gold Bursary at Collège Boréal and Northern College. The bursary's creation is a direct result of the 2012 Impact and Benefit Agreement between the MNO and Detour Gold, and will be made available to Métis students pursuing careers in the mining industry.

Northern College President, Fred Gibbons said, "Northern College is very pleased to be an educational partner for this new Métis Nation of Ontario Detour Gold bursary which will benefit Métis students from within the MNO Region 3 of Abitibi-Temiskaming-James Bay. This endowed fund will reduce financial barriers to post-secondary studies for qualifying Métis students from our region that are pursuing education at any of our campuses that relates to, or supports our region's mining sector, either directly as Mining Engineering Technicians or in other programs whose graduates commonly find mining-related employment."

"We salute Detour Gold for being the latest large mining employer that recognizes and supports -- and in such a significant way -- the close connection between education, our region's Indigenous peoples, and successful economic development."

Métis Nation of Ontario Chair, France Picotte said, "As stated in the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Statement of Prime Purpose, the MNO has always made education a high priority. A key objective of the MNO is to ensure young Métis citizens uncover and embrace the will and determination to live a successful life."

"Collège Boréal is happy to work with the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) in order to provide support to our Métis students as they pursue their studies in our institution," said Collège Boréal President, M. Pierre Riopel. "Furthermore, we would like to thank Detour Gold Inc. for their generous contribution which will allow these students to continue to take their rightful place within their communities for generations to come."

Detour Gold Vice-President of Human Resources and Aboriginal Affairs, Rachel Pineault said, "Detour Gold and the Métis Nation of Ontario have a shared belief in the importance of education and creating real opportunities for Aboriginal youth. Our scholarship and bursary program at College Boreal and Northern College will help students reach higher levels of education and prepare for careers both with Detour Gold and throughout Northern Ontario. This investment is just one aspect of our broad educational commitment to our aboriginal partners."

Through its support of Métis students, the Métis Nation of Ontario and Detour Gold Bursary at Collège Boréal and Northern will ensure that MNO youth continue to achieve their highest potential.