PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
CAISSE ALLIANCE ANNOUNCES THE STUDENTS SELECTED FOR THE 2025 CAISSE ALLIANCE BURSARY
NORTH BAY – June 27, 2025: Caisse Alliance has awarded $10,000 in bursaries for the sixth consecutive year as part of its Caisse Alliance Bursary Program. Student members of the financial cooperative had until March 31, 2025, to apply. The committee’s mandate was to select two candidates who have distinguished themselves by participating in or initiating a project that has made a difference in their community in terms of sustainable development.
Abby Baker (Longlac) and Ariana Kioke-Budd (Timmins) were unexpectedly awarded a bursary of $5,000 by the teams from their respective branches on June 20 and 23, 2025.
Putting a Stop to Bullying
Abby Baker did more than just put on the pink t-shirt to show her support for Anti-Bullying Day. The Grade 12 student from École secondaire Château-Jeunesse took the initiative of designing a logo to put on t-shirts to raise awareness among students of the challenges of bullying and of the benefits of harmony and inclusion. She believes that every child deserves respect, and her logo is designed to encourage students to consider the importance of respect and kindness. This initiative is particularly relevant given the considerable efforts being made to promote the well-being of young people.
This initiative managed to make waves all the way to her school board, which later launched a formal campaign. The t-shirt was sold across the board’s territory, and the proceeds were donated to Camp Quality, an organization that supports children affected by serious illnesses. Being deeply moved by the cause, Abby Baker is delighted at the thought of having turned her motivation into a project that has had a real impact on her community.
Driving Change for Reconciliation
As for Ariana Kioke-Budd, she chose to repair broken relationships by getting involved with the Treaty Recognition Week Event, an annual week-long project to educate all of Ontario on what reconciliation really means. Ontarian public service workers were invited to a one-day presentation that was held that week. The program included numerous information sessions and a roundtable discussion with the Grand Chief and a youth representing Treaty 9 territory. Showing a clear desire to get involved in helping to raise awareness in her community, the Grade 12 student from O’Gorman High School was recommended by the Mushkegowuk Council and subsequently selected by Archives of Ontario to fill this role.
To ensure that the message she chose to convey during the panel resonated with all First Nations youth, Ariana Kioke-Budd devoted the necessary time to canvass the opinions and concerns of other young people in her community. She then put forward this collective opinion in front of thousands of Ontarians and expressed what needs to change within the province and more broadly, in Canada. However, this young changemaker stated that “we’re far from being done and the work related to reconciliation and reducing inequalities has only just begun.“
The selection committee would like to thank all the candidates and congratulate each of them on their achievements. The process for awarding Caisse Alliance Scholarships is highly
competitive. The committee receives several applications from motivated young changemakers. The committee would like to invite students who were not selected to apply again next year, provided they still meet the eligibility criteria.
About other Caisse Alliance student initiatives
In addition to the Caisse Alliance Bursary Program, each year the financial cooperative awards several thousands of dollars in bursaries to high school graduates throughout its network, aiming to make a real difference in their academic success.
Congratulations to these deserving students!
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Media contact:
Stéphanie Cyr
Communications Advisor
Phone: 705-474-5634 (7228)
Email: stephanie.cyr@caisse.coop