How a Bursary Empowered a Revelstoke Student to Chase Outdoor Dreams Right from Home

Alexi Mostert is excited to be part of the next Indigenous Backcountry Training event this spring. Her journey began with support from the Columbia Basin Trust’s bursary program.

Thanks to this program, over 210 college students in British Columbia received financial help last year, totaling more than $122,000. Mostert was one of them and received at least $500. This funding allowed her to study tourism management at Okanagan College’s Revelstoke Centre without having to leave her hometown.

Mostert moved from Saskatchewan to Revelstoke when she was seven. Growing up in a community that loves the outdoors, she always wanted to stay and make the most of her connections there. While she considered other cities and schools, her roots were strong in Revelstoke.

During her two-year diploma at Okanagan College, she broadened her professional network. “In our small town, we met local business leaders,” she shared. Working with Tourism Revelstoke helped her learn about destination management, which she described as a major highlight of her studies.

The bursary also opened doors for Mostert, allowing her to take part in a co-op with Apex Rafting. There, she met Dylan Murray, the founder of Indigenous Backcountry Training. This connection led her to join his team for the avalanche skills program in Revelstoke this spring.

In addition to her studies, Mostert has her own photography and videography business. She started with portraits but now focuses on showcasing Revelstoke’s outdoor adventures. You can check out her work at aleximostertphotography.ca.

In April, she will be working with Indigenous Backcountry Training as their photographer and videographer. Mostert recently graduated from Okanagan College and is continuing her education at Thompson Rivers University. While she hopes the bursary program will return in the future, she encourages eligible students to apply if it’s available. “It’s definitely worth it,” she said.

She also expressed gratitude for her instructors at Okanagan College. The Indigenous Backcountry Training course runs from April 8 to 13, and there are still spots available. For more details and to register, visit indigenousbackcountrytraining.ca/course-overview.

If you want to learn more about the Columbia Basin Trust’s bursary program, visit ourtrust.org/grants-and-programs-directory/columbia-basin-bursary.

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