2026- 27 McElhanney Indigenous Peoples Scholarship

About McElhanney

Based in Western Canada for over 110 years, McElhanney offers innovative and practical engineering, surveying, mapping, planning, landscape architecture, and environmental services. As a 100% employee-owned and operated firm, with over 1,500 staff members in 31 locations, we are proud to offer qualified staff with shareholding options in our company. At McElhanney, we work in teams to build strong connections with our staff, clients, and local communities. Our employees enjoy working here because of our varied projects, high levels of autonomy, opportunities for career development, excellent total compensation and benefits package, and collaborating with a team of great professionals.

McElhanney Indigenous Peoples Scholarship

From coast to coast, McElhanney acknowledges the Indigenous Territories we work and reside on. We strive to be trusted partners with Indigenous communities across Western Canada and are proud of the Indigenous peoples that we work with.

With an ongoing commitment to honour, respect, and hear the voices of Indigenous peoples, our mission is to partner with those who are considering a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), Enterprise Performance, or Administration Services. The McElhanney Indigenous Peoples Scholarship provides Indigenous students and intergenerational community members with the option of completing or upgrading their education while engaging in hands-on training to support their long-term career goals.

A selected recipient interested in completing an education program is awarded up to $5,000 to use towards tuition, textbooks, supplies, and living expenses (on-campus accommodations). Alternatively, a potential recipient can be an intergenerational community member who chooses to focus on hands-on career experience (forgo the education option) with McElhanney and will be awarded the same amount to use toward career training or as a donation to an Indigenous-owned business, charity, or cause within their local community.

One recipient will be selected for this scholarship award. We welcome applications from Indigenous students of all backgrounds, including but not limited to women, persons with disabilities, members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and other equity-deserving groups.

McElhanney Indigenous Peoples Scholarship will be open for applications from September 15th to January 29th, 2027.

In Honour of Angus Cockney

McElhanney has named the Indigenous Peoples Scholarship in honour of Angus Cockney, in recognition of his professional achievements and his outstanding, positive impact in his Indigenous community.

Born in Tuktoyaktuk, NT, Angus Cockney is an Indigenous community member and residential school survivor. As a young child, Angus was taken to the Inuvik Roman Catholic Residential School, where he spent 13 years of his life. While in the residential school system, Angus took up the sport of cross-country skiing, becoming a national champion skier, and was chosen to accompany the 1989 Robert Swan “Icewalk” expedition to the North Pole as the Canadian member of an international team. Angus is also an accomplished artist. He began creating art based on his culture, his concern for the environment, and his desire to be an educator and spokesperson supporting Inuit art and northern peoples. In addition to these outstanding accomplishments, Angus has been a land surveyor with McElhanney since 2013. Currently working part-time, Angus spends his free time working at the Bowden Institution penitentiary counselling Indigenous inmates.

Step 1: Select Your Entry Pathway
The McElhanney Indigenous Peoples Scholarship is offered to individuals at various stages of their education and career journey. In your application, please select your scholarship pathway.

• Indigenous High School Student – This pathway offers graduating high school students the ability to receive tuition support towards a certificate, diploma, or degree program in STEM, Business, or Administration Services. Recipients will also receive an internship that aligns with their education program.
• Indigenous Academic Student– This pathway offers current post-secondary students who are looking to continue with or switch into a certificate, diploma, or degree program in STEM, Business, or Administration Services. Recipients will also receive an internship opportunity that aligns with their education program.
• Intergenerational Community Member – This pathway offers experienced community members the opportunity to grow or switch their profession to STEM, Business, or Administration Services. Recipients may choose to upgrade their skills through formal education, or simply through career training with McElhanney. Recipients who forego the education component will have the opportunity to donate the award amount to an Indigenous-owned business, cause, or charity within their local community.

Step 2: Select Your Career Path
Hands-on career training will be made available through full-time or internship opportunities which are reserved for individuals who have an interest in one or more of the following career paths. In your application, please select your career path of interest.

• Career Path 1 – STEM Services: This career path includes Civil Engineering, Geomatics Engineering and Land Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Planning, Landscape Architecture, or GIS & Remote Sensing.
• Career Path 2 – Enterprise Performance: This career path includes Human Resources, Marketing & Communications, Health & Safety, Finance and Accounting, Business Information Technology or Digital Business.
• Career Path 3 – Administration Services: This career path includes Reception, Project Administration, or Project Coordination.

For more information about the services that we offer, please visit: https://www.mcelhanney.com/services/

Step 3: Confirm Your Eligibility
To qualify for this scholarship, please ensure you meet the following criteria:

• You identify as Indigenous / Aboriginal Peoples of Canada (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis).
• Are eligible to work in Canada for the intended duration of the offer/contract offered.
• As a high school student or academic, you showcase proof of enrollment in a certificate, diploma, or bachelor’s degree program at an accredited post-secondary Canadian institution.
• As an intergenerational community member, you have an interest in receiving hands-on training in STEM, Enterprise Performance, or Administration Services.
• You have an interest in being employed in a STEM, Enterprise Performance or Administration Services career with McElhanney.

What We Offer
As the recipient of the McElhanney Indigenous Peoples Scholarship, you will receive:

• Tuition Support: This scholarship offers up to $5,000 to use towards tuition, textbooks, supplies, and living expenses (on-campus accommodations).
• Mentorship Opportunity: Be paired up with an industry professional who will support you in achieving your professional goals. Together, you will discuss training, coaching or career aspirations of interest to you.
• Internship Opportunity: The selected recipient will be awarded a paid internship opportunity that aligns with their career plans and McElhanney's hiring needs at the time. All scholarship applicants will be considered for current and upcoming McElhanney career opportunities. In addition, all applicants are strongly encouraged to apply to any opportunities directly on www.mcelhanney.com/careers
• Recognition of your efforts and accomplishments on McElhanney’s website and social media channels.

Application Instructions
A complete application must be submitted on or before the application deadline and will include the following documents to receive consideration.

1. An updated resume that summarizes your experience.
2. A personal statement of 1-2 pages that addresses the following questions:

• • Details on your Entry Pathway (Indigenous High School Student, Indigenous Academic, or Intergenerational Community Member)
  • Career Path Option (STEM, enterprise performance, or administration services)
  • Why should you be selected as the recipient of this scholarship?
  • How would this scholarship support your career plans?

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At McElhanney, our unwavering commitment lies in cultivating a culture that aligns with our core values and fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion. We celebrate the collective achievements of a team rich in expertise, experiences, and perspectives, and welcome applications from individuals of diverse ethnicities, religions, backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities, aboriginal statuses, various age groups, and those with disabilities. Requests for accommodations can be made at any stage of the selection process. If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all of the requirements outlined. We’re interested in getting to know you and explore the unique contributions you can bring to McElhanney!

If this is the opportunity for you, apply now or visit www.mcelhanney.com/careers to learn more. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Learn more about our recognition here: McElhanney Requalifies as a Gold Standard Best Managed Company!

Visit us on Glassdoor to learn more about our employee experience.

Our Purpose: Amaze our clients. Care for our communities. Empower our people.

McElhanney is aware of activities where individuals have received fraudulent job offers. Please be advised that McElhanney will not ask applicants for any form of monetary exchange at any point in the recruitment process. To learn more visit: www.mcelhanney.com/careers/fraud-warning. The disclosure of your information in accordance with this Policy and applicable law, including to third party service providers may result in your personal information being transferred outside of Canada, including to the United States. Such transferred personal information may be subject to the laws of these other countries and the laws of other countries regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information may be different from the laws of Canada.