Published by Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services on March 4, 2025
Today marks the opening of the Don McBain Memorial Award (DMMA) for its fifth year!
Since 2017, the idea of contributing to an Indigenous student’s education will continue and applications are now open for all Indigenous secondary students in Ontario. Last year was a great success with the award, and we received dozens of applications across the province.
We are proud of last year’s recipients and their efforts so far in their first year of post-secondary studies. Santina Pallister is currently in her first year of studies towards her Advanced Diploma in Film and Television Production at Humber College, and Noah McLeod is enjoying his time at the University of Guelph in the Food, Agriculture and Resource Economics program.
The Award committee checked in with both of them this past month. Santina told us that she’s been doing great, focusing on a jam-packed winter semester that is certainly worth all its efforts. When asked about how the award has helped, she stated, “The award has given me a chance to live out my dream and a new lifestyle that I would not have had without being financially comfortable. Taking away any and all stresses in a time of financial uncertainty, I am ever so grateful to have been granted this chance of a lifetime.”
Noah told us he is doing very well this semester and is definitely in the swing of things after making his move to Guelph. His response to how the award has assisted him: “It’s helped me with textbooks, other school essentials, and definitely with food on and off campus!”
Hearing of Santina and Noah’s positive progress only excites us more to have another year of helping Indigenous youth achieve their goals.
Motivated by the memory of the late Don McBain, the founder and former Executive Director of Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS), Don was the driving force behind the establishment of OAHS which was incorporated in 1994 and had a positive impact on the lives of everyone he encountered. Don worked tirelessly for decades carrying out OAHS’s mission and vision. During his tenure, OAHS grew from a developing agent into a multi-faceted corporation employing over 80 people while owning and administering a portfolio of over 2,400 safe and affordable housing units and designing and delivering both repair and homeownership program opportunities.
This award is possible because of our generous contributions from our returning sponsors who help continue this award. Without them, we couldn’t continue to provide for Indigenous youth for as long as we have.
The Don McBain Memorial Award is an online application that can be found on the Don McBain Memorial Page on our website with applications due April 25, 2025.
