It is an independent Trust Fund established in 1982 by the Ermineskin Cree Nation Chief and Council to assist and recognize qualifying Ermineskin Cree Nation Students financially through incentives, scholarships and award programs at various levels of education. Ermineskin Education Trust Fund (“EETF”) is one of the very first Indigenous Trusts in Canada. The Trust Fund will provide limited funding in addition to other financial assistance received by students such as Indigenous Services Canada government funding, student loans, and parental contributions.

The purpose and mission of the EETF is to assist and encourage in the educational development of the human resources of the Ermineskin Cree Nation with the view for members to successfully complete their education at the trades, college and university levels and obtain a skill, occupation or profession that will benefit themselves and in turn Ermineskin Cree Nation as a whole.

Under the Trust Deed, the Ermineskin Chief and Council have the authority to appoint individuals to be Trustees of the EETF to three (3) year terms. The terms of the present Trustees expire in 2025. Chief and Council will make new appointments and/or re-appointments for Trustees of EETF.

First and foremost is the EETF Trust Deed which is the primary document that sets out the overall rules for the operation and must be followed at all times by the Board of Trustees. A copy of the Trust Deed is available to all Ermineskin members and is posted on the EETF website.

In addition to the Trust Deed, the Board of Trustees has developed written policies in many areas of the administration and financial operations of the Trust including a Statement of Investment Policies and Procedures. The Board of Trustees report to the membership detailing their activity throughout the year and post the EETF audited financial statements on the EETF website. First and foremost is the EETF Trust Deed which is the primary document that sets out the overall rules for the operation and must be followed at all times by the Board of Trustees. A copy of the Trust Deed is available to all Ermineskin members and is posted on the EETF website. In addition to the Trust Deed, the Board of Trustees has developed written policies in many areas of the administration and financial operations of the Trust including a Statement of Investment Policies and Procedures.

The Board of Trustees report to the membership detailing their activity throughout the year and post the EETF audited financial statements on the EETF website.

No, not all the money can be spent. The Trustees can only expend a percentage of Trust Revenue generated from the Trust Capital. The capital base of the Trust Fund, which is presently $14.1 million, is held forever in trust for educational purposes for Ermineskin Cree Nation members and can never be spent.

The Board of Trustees oversees the Trust Fund’s investments to earn the best possible rate of return consistent with safety. The Trust Deed itself sets the strict boundaries and restrictions for the types of investments that can be made. Trust Capital of the EETF is presently invested in a conservative portfolio of stocks and bonds with the well-known investment firm BMO Nesbitt Burns. Quarterly reports from the investment manager are available to Ermineskin members online.

A student’s name must appear on the membership list controlled by the Ermineskin Cree Nation to qualify under the Trust. Restrictions apply since the Ermineskin Trust Fund trust funds are limited and subject to strict policies for student programming

The Trust Fund will provide financial support through EETF programs and awards to qualifying Ermineskin students. The Government of Canada through the Department of Indigenous Services Canada (“ISC”) has a first-line Treaty obligation and trust responsibility for the payment of all costs associated with education for Ermineskin students.

EETF PROGRAMS

1) IN SCHOOL SERVICES:

• K-12 School Supplies (off reserve only)
• School Fees (off reserve only)
• Buss Passes/Bussing (50%) (off reserve only)
• School Field Trips (off reserve only)
• Children’s / Youth Awards (all students)
• After School Tutorial (off reserve only)

HIGH SCHOOL: (all students)

• High School Credit Incentive (everyone)
• Graduation Support (everyone)
• Chief Dan Minde Award Grade 12 or GED Completion (everyone)
• Student Support (to help high school students in need of assistance to attend a post-secondary institute)

2) POST-SECONDARY COMPLETION PROGRAM

High School/Secondary Completion Award – Chief Dan Minde Award
Chief Dan Minde Award for completion of a Grade 12 Diploma or a Knowledge
and Employability Diploma (K&E) – $1,000.00. Students must complete an
application form and provide a physical copy of their diploma to the EETF
Coordinator.

GED – $500.00. Students must complete an application form and provide a physical
copy of GED Diploma to the EETF coordinator.

Post-Secondary Completion Award – George Wolfe Memorial Award
George Wolfe Memorial Award will be awarded to post-secondary students who
successfully complete a full time program from an accredited institution.
Students are responsible for applying and submitting a copy of their Certificate,
Diploma or Degree to the EETF Coordinator.
Students may also submit a letter from the recognized institute confirming graduation
status and that all requirements have been met and provide a copy to the EETF
Coordinator of their convocation parchment once received.

Only one Post-Secondary Completion Award will be granted per academic year (i.e. one certificate, one diploma etc.)
Students are required to submit additional program information for diploma
programs that are completed under a fast track stream i.e. condensed programs from
an accredited college or university.
Awards will be granted under the following:
a. Certificate/Diploma – 4 to 8 month programs = $500.00
b. Diploma – 8 to 20 month programs = $1500.00
c. Undergraduate Bachelor’s Degrees – 40 month programs= $2000.00
d. Professional Degrees (i.e Law and Medicine) = $3000.00
e. Masters = $4000.00
f. Doctoral Degrees = $5000.00

Trades Completion Award – Chief Bobtail Award
Chief Bobtail Award for Apprenticeship Completion – students must submit a
copy of transcripts/certificate showing completion of trades program, and submit a
copy of Red Seal if applicable.
Rates for incentive:
a. Year 4 Journeyman = $1,000.00
b. Red Seal = $2,000.00

3) EETF will provide financial support through the EETF Scholarship Program to qualified Ermineskin Post-Secondary students. 

The number and amount of the EETF Scholarships granted will be determined by the Selection Committee of the Board of Trustees in its sole discretion with the funds allocated and available.  Scholarships provided from outside donors (corporate and individual) generally have set amounts and specific guidelines attached to them.