Welcome
The Chief Joe Mathias BC Aboriginal Scholarship Fund was established to honour the memory of the late Chief Joe Mathias, a hereditary and elected Chief of the Squamish Nation. It is the largest privately run Scholarship Fund in BC, and with generous support in the past, we have been able to provide over 575 scholarships to many students from over 150 First Nations in BC since the inception of the Fund in 2002.
Chief Mathias is remembered for his vision and his leadership for the rights of Indigenous people in British Columbia and across Canada. Central to that vision was his passionate belief in and advocacy for higher education for First Nations people. This Scholarship Fund is dedicated to helping realize Joe’s dream of providing post-secondary opportunities for enthusiastic, dedicated and aspiring British Columbia First Nation students to enable them to realize their dreams of becoming leaders of tomorrow in the career of their choosing. There is no more appropriate tribute to the work of Chief Mathias than to witness the success of the young Indigenous graduates and scholarship recipients the fund has helped since it began in 2002. First Nation doctors, businessmen and women, scientists, social workers, engineers, nurses, computer programmers, lawyers, and teachers…these are our future leaders who will continue his legacy and ensure a bright and prosperous future for First Nations citizens and their communities.
2026 Scholarship Applications – Now Open!
The Chief Joe Mathias British Columbia Aboriginal Scholarship Fund invites eligible BC First Nations students to apply for its 2026 scholarship programs listed below. Each program reflects the Fund’s commitment to supporting students in diverse fields of study and expanding opportunities for Indigenous leadership across British Columbia.
2026 Chief Joe Mathias BC First Nations Multi‑Disciplinary Scholarship
Supporting BC First Nations students pursuing post‑secondary or graduate studies in any academic discipline, this long‑standing scholarship continues the Fund’s legacy of empowering students to achieve their educational and career goals. Eligible students are encouraged to apply and take the next step in their academic journey.
2026 Chief Joe Mathias BC First Nations Nursing Scholarship
Launched in 2025 through funding from the Province of British Columbia’s Ministry of Health, this scholarship is now in its second annual call for applications. It supports BC First Nations students pursuing or continuing studies in nursing, helping strengthen Indigenous leadership in healthcare and address the growing need for First Nations nurses across the province.
2026 Chief Joe Mathias BC First Nations Teacher Scholarship
Established with financial assistance from the Ministry of Education and Child Care, this scholarship supports BC First Nation students to complete a teacher education program at a BC public post-secondary institution.
How to Apply
To apply for any of the 2026 scholarship programs, students must register and submit their application through SurveyMonkey Apply. Eligible BC First Nations students are encouraged to create an account early, review all application requirements, and complete their submission before the following deadlines.
- 2026 Chief Joe Mathias BC First Nations Multi‑Disciplinary Scholarship - Friday, June 19, 2026 at 11:59 pm (PDT)
- 2026 Chief Joe Mathias BC First Nations Nursing Scholarship - Friday, June 12, 2026 at 11:59 pm (PDT)
- 2026 Chief Joe Mathias BC First Nation Teacher Scholarship - Friday, June 12, 2026 at 11:59 pm (PDT)