This milestone is especially meaningful for the 41 students expected to graduate this year who are supported through our partnership with Pathways to Education.
A shared vision for youth empowerment
While Pathways to Education operates nationally, IG’s support is focused locally—on Winnipeg’s most underserved communities. Delivered in partnership with the Community Education Development Association (CEDA), the Pathways program provides Indigenous and newcomer youth with tailored academic, financial, social, and one-on-one support to help them graduate from high school and build a strong foundation for their future.
Throughout our three-year partnership, IG and CEDA aim to support 675 students—225 each year. This school year alone, 335 students are enrolled in the program.
“As a female Indigenous youth, it was tough for me to graduate. It was hard for me to see myself in positions such as being a doctor or social worker. With the right support and guidance, I see myself in those spaces, and they are some of the spaces I occupy today. I carry my Indigeneity when I walk into colonial institutions pursuing education that wasn’t meant for me at one point in time.”
Sheri Shorting - Pathways Alumni (Class of 2019), CEDA Board of Directors Co-Chair, University of Manitoba Medical Program (Class of 2029)
To learn more about the program’s impact, visit Pathways to Education and CEDA Winnipeg.
The pathway to success
In the 2022–2023 school year, the Pathways Winnipeg program saw an average graduation rate of 63%, compared to the pre-Pathways graduation rate of 24%. Additionally, 42% of those Pathways graduates transitioned to post-secondary education after graduation.
Creating space for culture, leadership, and community
With 54% of students identifying as Indigenous, the program offers tailored support through ceremony and land-based learning, guided by community elders and knowledge keepers. The annual student conference brings together Indigenous and newcomer youth to share experiences and foster mutual understanding. Leadership initiatives like the Youth Ambassador and Peer Helper programs give students the opportunity to mentor others, lead workshops, and build confidence for the future.
In November, Pathways Winnipeg hosted a heartfelt alumni gathering—complete with a sharing circle and homemade food—demonstrating the lasting sense of belonging the program fosters.
Turning commitment into action
These efforts are part of IG’s broader Empower Your Tomorrow community platform, which helps Canadians build financial confidence and well-being. Our partnership with Pathways to Education Winnipeg is one way we’re turning that commitment into action.
