The Helen Betty Osborne Memorial Foundation was established by an Act of the 2nd Session of the 37th Legislature of Manitoba in December 2000 under the auspices of the Attorney General, the Honourable Gord Mackintosh.
The Act acknowledges Helen Betty Osborne’s dream of becoming a teacher prior to her sudden death in 1971. It also uncovers the circumstances surrounding her death, and the events that followed raised concerns about the relationship of the justice system to Aboriginal people. The Aboriginal Justice Inquiry concluded these events were marked by racism, sexism and indifference.
The Helen Betty Osborne Memorial Foundation, created in her memory as a fitting tribute to her life, provides financial assistance to Aboriginal persons enrolled in post-secondary studies in Manitoba. The Foundation also recognizes deserving students who are making a difference in eliminating these barriers of racism, sexism and indifference in our society.