“Together we can make a difference”

Guy Milner and Roger Helfrick at the Wâpanachakos Indigenous Health Program’s Community Lunch Hour with Alvina Lake, Eagle Woman, Knowledge Keeper and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry students.

The couple have named the U of A as a beneficiary of a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) to support the Indigenous Students’ Support Fund, an emergency fund for students who are First Nation, Métis, or Inuit peoples of Canada (FNMI). They’ve also included a bequest in their Will to support the Wâpanachakos Indigenous Health Initiative Endowment.

“In these crazy times we’re living in, we must all do acts of kindness,” says Guy. Roger adds, “We can’t change everything, but we can do this. And we want to invite people to join us to do what they can.”

For Guy and Roger, investing in people, health and social services are the keys to solving the challenges of our time. 

Helping others has always been an important part of Guy’s life. “I’m happiest when I’m of service to others,” he shares. As a young adult, he volunteered with the Alberta Service Corps, working with youth in the Kainai Nation (known at the time as the Blood Indian Reserve #148). He spent his career supporting refugees and people living with HIV. Today, he volunteers with at-risk seniors in Edmonton. 

When it came to planning their legacy, the couple carefully considered their options and took time to find a cause that resonated with them both. “One of the reasons we chose the U of A was because when Murray Sinclair did the Truth and Reconciliation report, one of his observations was ‘education got us into this mess, and education will get us out of it,’” shares Guy.

Guy and Roger worked closely with the U of A to determine how they could have the most impact. They also work with the Standardized Patient program at the U of A’s College of Health Sciences. “Every year, we were meeting this incredible body of enthusiastic young people who wanted to make a difference in the world. It was really inspiring,” says Guy. 

When the couple learned about the U of A’s fund in support of FNMI students in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, they knew that they had found a purpose for their legacy donation. 

“We know that our gift can be very focused on this small group. And we know that, in general, these students will have financial barriers that would make university more difficult. To assist with this is very important and we’re hoping, helpful,” says Guy.

Guy and Roger encourage others who are considering their own legacy to be patient with themselves and open to the process. They also encourage lots of conversation with loved ones about their wishes. And lastly, they believe strongly that a legacy that focuses on helping people and the next generation is what will make the biggest difference.