About

The Kurt Grinnell Aquaculture Scholarship Foundation, doing business as the Kurt Grinnell Indigenous Aquaculture Scholarship Fund (KGIASF), awards scholarships to enrolled members of U.S. federally recognized Tribes and members of Métis, Aboriginal groups and First Nations (“First Nations”) recognized by Canada. We provide financial assistance to those who are pursuing or wish to pursue careers in aquaculture, fisheries science, natural resource science or management but give priority to applicants with a demonstrated interest in aquaculture. We offer financial assistance to Indigenous students for training and education. We also support student participation at the Pacific Northwest Indigenous Aquaculture Summit, and, in some cases, such support covers travel for students attending seminars and classes.

Milestones:

• In 2022, we awarded three scholarships;
• In 2023, we awarded five scholarships;
• In 2024, we awarded 11 scholarships; and,
• In 2025, we expect to award approximately eight to 10 scholarships.

To date scholarships have been awarded to:

• Michael Buck, Yakama Nation, Washington
• Alana Schofield, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (Ojibwe), Michigan
• Taylor Nicholls, Wahnapitae First Nation (Ojibwe) Ontario, Canada
• Brook Thompson, Yurok and Karuk Tribes, California
• Allison Carl, Chugach Native Corp and Village of Eyak, Alaska
• Gwendolyn Aaberg, Nondalton Indian Tribe., Alaska
• Jaycee Williford, Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma
• Ilene Goudy, Yakama Nation, Washington
• Joseph Brown, Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Idaho
• Apemesim Galipeau, Penobscot Nation, Maine

In addition, we have supported Indigenous participation at the Pacific Northwest Indigenous Aquaculture Summit:

In addition, in 2024 the KGIASF provided substantial financial support to 25 Tribal high schools students and five university students to attend the Pacific Northwest Indigenous Aquaculture Summit held in Sequim Washington at the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Center and 7 Cedars Resort, including the following:

• Alana Schofield, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (Ojibwe), Michigan
• Taylor Nicholls, Wahnapitae First Nation (Ojibwe) Ontario, Canada
• Maranda Hamme:  Tlingit Alaska Native, Alaska
• Xander Lacomb, Penobscot Nation, Maine

In total, our efforts — which are generously supported by many individual, corporate donors and notable law firms (please see donors) — have made it possible to provide over $75,000 in scholarship support to Tribal and First Nations students.

The number of scholarships and the award amount is completely within the discretion of our Board of Directors and is largely dependent on the financial need of applicants, the merits of each application, the strength of letters of recommendation, demonstrated interest and involvement in aquaculture, and our financial condition. Upon request, the KGISF will also help scholarship recipients find internships to further advance their education and training.