Province creating Helen Betty Osborne scholarship

The Manitoba government presented legislation today setting up a scholarship to commemorate Helen Betty Osborne.

Osborne is the young native woman murdered in The Pas in 1976. It took 16 years to bring the case to trial.

The Minister of Justice, Gord Mackintosh, says it's appropriate the bill be presented today, the 11th anniversary of the Montreal massacre.

"On this National Day of Remembrance of women victimized by violence, this bill recognizes an ultimate and indeed most tragic act of sexism and racism, the murder of Helen Betty Osborne. It establishes a scholarship fund for chosen aboriginal students studying to be teachers; something that Helen had as a dream."

The first $50,000 payment to the scholarship fund comes from the Manitoba government. The rest will come from private donations.

The Helen Betty Osborne Foundation will be managed by a board of trustees, including a member of the Osborne family. The first award is expected to be granted for the next school year.