The Edwards School of Business strives to be a leader in providing dedicated support and services unique to Indigenous business students amongst business schools across Canada.
In March 2001, the Edwards School received an initial gift of $1,000,000 from Gordon Rawlinson, President of Rawlco Radio in order to establish the Rawlinson Centre for Indigenous Business Students (formerly Rawlco Resource Centre). The gift was established with the following objectives:
- To recruit and retain Indigenous students through to graduation from the undergraduate business degree program
- To enhance Indigenous business students' educational experience by providing access to needed equipment and resources
- To encourage Indigenous students to remain in Saskatchewan upon completion of their business education
Mickayla Carlson and Lauren Aussant share their experiences as Indigenous students at Edwards School of Business. Mickayla is completing her Aboriginal Business Administration Certificate and Lauren is completing her Bachelor of Commerce in Management.
Student Support and Services
At the Rawlinson Centre, Room 91, Indigenous students can find a place to study, attend cultural events, and access dedicated student scholarships, tutoring services, emergency financial assistance, and connect with the Indigenous Business Student's Society. The Centre is one of the only dedicated spaces for Indigenous business students in the country. Services include:
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Edwards Application Fee Waiver
The Edwards Application Fee Waiver covers the cost of your application to any Edwards School of Business program (B.Comm, CBUS, CENT, IBAC). Please contact the Edwards Indigenous Achievement Advisor for more information.
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Undergraduate Scholarships & Awards
In addition to general USask scholarships, bursaries, and awards, Edwards has a number of dedicated awards for Métis, First Nation, and Inuit students*.
There are five types of awards:
- Rawlco B.Comm. Entrance Awards (valued at $1,000) recognize new, first year students in the Bachelor of Commerce program at Edwards.
- Rawlco IBAC Awards (valued at $2,000) recognize Indigenous students who successfully complete the Indigenous Business Administration Certificate (IBAC) program in the Edwards School of Business.
- Rawlco Award for SIIT Business Diploma Graduates (valued at $2,000) recognize Indigenous students who successfully complete the Business Diploma program from the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) and who are entering their third year of study in the Bachelor of Commerce degree program at the Edwards School of Business.
- The Thompson Indigenous Student Award provides financial assistance to Indigenous women pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the Edwards School of Business, enabling them to focus on their academic achievement. An annual donation of $10,000 provided by Gord and Donna Thompson. Recipients of this award may receive the award up to three additional years, as long as they meet the college’s standard for academic promotion.
- The McCreath Indigenous Student Award provides financial assistance to Indigenous women pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the Edwards School of Business, enabling them to focus on their academic achievement. An annual donation of $10,000 provided by the McCreath Family. Recipients of this award may receive the award up to three additional years, as long as they meet the college’s standard for academic promotion.
*Eligible students must verify Indigenous citizenship/membership based on USask’s deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin policy to be considered for these awards.
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Graduate Scholarships & Awards
In addition to general USask scholarships, bursaries, and awards, Edwards has a dedicated award for First Nation,Métis, and Inuit students*:
- Dean’s Circle awards (valued at $10,000) recognizes three Indigenous students entering or continuing in a master’s program (Master of Business Administration, Master of Professional Accounting, or Master of Science) at Edwards.
*Eligible students must verify Indigenous citizenship/membership based on USask’s deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin policy to be considered for these awards.
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Indigenous Student Residence Support
Edwards Indigenous Student Residence Support covers on-campus housing costs for undergraduate business students, providing a stable and supportive living environment to help ensure your academic success.
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Indigenous Learning Communities
Indigenous Learning Communities empower first-year undergraduate Indigenous business students to build connections, gain mentorship, and navigate university life with a sense of belonging and purpose. Join a supportive community that blends academic success, cultural identity, and career exploration, helping you define your unique path in business school and beyond.
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Professional Development Fund
Edwards students can apply for co-curricular funding to subsidize costs related to activities that support academic success and the development of a professional network. Attending conferences, speaker nights, luncheons, and other engagements such as becoming a student member of a professional organization and/or board are all activities that are supported by the Rawlinson Professional Development Fund.
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Bannock Chat
Bi-weekly, complimentary soup and bannock is available in the Rawlinson Centre, Room 91, for students, faculty and staff to connect informally over lunch.
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Tutoring and Personalized Academic Support
Tutoring and Personalized Academic Support including funding for individual tutors in specific subjects and access to a weekly math tutor located in the Rawlinson Centre, ensuring you have the resources needed to excel in your studies. Please contact the Rawlinson Centre Coordinator for more information.
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Emergency Assistance Fund
A one-time emergency bursary of up to $1,000 is available to Indigenous students who are experiencing financial distress through the Rawlinson fund. Please contact the Rawlinson Centre Coordinator for more information. Please contact the Rawlinson Centre Coordinator for more information.
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Grocery and Travel Gift Cards
Grocery and travel gift cards support students experiencing food insecurity and to provide means for students to travel home in case of ceremony or extenuating circumstances.
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Current Students
Current students are encouraged to check out PAWS for additional supports & services available to them.
Programs
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Get a Head Start
Attention grade 12 students! Take an online business course and receive dual credit for Introduction to Business 30L and COMM 101.3: Introduction to Business.
September Deadline: June 30 | January Deadline: December 1
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Indigenous Business Administration Certificate (IBAC)
The Indigenous Business Administration Certificate (IBAC) is a gradual step towards a successful career in business with an option to transfer into the B.Comm. degree program upon completion.
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Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm.)
The Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm.) degree is a four-year direct-entry program. The first two years are dedicated to providing you with general business knowledge. You will take an introductory course in each of the major specializations (accounting, finance, human resources, management, marketing and supply chain management) before selecting your major in the middle of year two.
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Transfer students (SIIT, Sask Polytech)
Edwards has transfer agreements with SIIT, Sask Polytech, Lakeland College, and Dorset College to allow program graduates to transfer credits into the Bachelor of Commerce program.
SIIT graduates of the 1-year business certificate or 2-year business diploma in Business Administration can transfer 30 credits or 60 credits, respectively, into the B.Comm. program at Edwards (open to graduates of the SIIT Certificate and Diploma programs in 2014 or later).
Sask Polytech graduates of the one-year business certificate or two-year business diploma in Accounting, Human Resources, Management or Marketing can transfer 30 credits or 60 credits, respectively, into the B.Comm. program at Edwards.
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Graduate Programs
Our graduate programs are designed to help you reach your career goal, no matter what educational background you have. The programs currently offered by Edwards School of Business include:
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Graduate Certificate in Leadership
The Edwards Graduate Certificate in Leadership (GCL) supports current and emerging professionals from all backgrounds who want to elevate their careers and be effective leaders locally and globally. We do this by providing a high-quality education in a diverse classroom environment in less than a year. Classes are scheduled in the late afternoons and one full Saturday per course.
"If you have been out of school for a while, do not let that be an obstacle for you applying. It is going to be hard, but it is going to be worth it. The cool thing about the GCL is that you can get out of it what you put into it. The GCL is a high value investment in your future that you can put to work, at work." Darlene Brander, CEO Wanuskewin
Connect with Us
For more information, please contact:
Jocelyn Ormerod, Rawlinson Centre Coordinator
Edwards School of Business
University of Saskatchewan
25 Campus Drive
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
S7N 5A7