Madeline Montgomery is Concordia’s 1st Mackenzie King Open Scholarship winner

Madeline Montgomery, a master’s student in Concordia’s Department of Creative Arts Therapies, is this year’s recipient of the Mackenzie King Open Scholarship.

Montgomery is the first Concordian to win the $8,500 award, which granted annually to one student. It is available to applicants who hold a Canadian university degree and who pursue graduate studies in any discipline in the country or elsewhere.

She is pursuing her MA in Drama Therapy, and says she hopes to acquire skills and knowledge that will prepare her to work within the mental-health field.

“I have always believed that theatre has the power to inspire change in the world, and drama therapy offers me the opportunity to use this medium to promote positive changes in mental health,” Montgomery says.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she founded two theatre initiatives — a playwright’s collective and an original production. Both were designed to teach skills in theatre performance, design and production with the specific intention of building community and connection.

Most recently, Montgomery spent her summer working as a resident support intern at a non-profit organization in Vancouver that offers housing, life skills and mental-health support to adults with disabilities who have experienced homelessness and mental illness.

As a Métis woman, Montgomery says she is driven to give back to her nation.

“My aspiration is to dedicate my practice to working with survivors of violence against women by helping them to heal their trauma and live a fulfilling life through resilience, community and social justice,” she explains.

Montgomery was also recently selected for the 2023 Belcourt Brosseau Métis Award, a scholarship that recognizes future leaders in the Métis community.

Learn more about external academic funding opportunities for Concordia students.