Brothers Harvey (BMgt ’82) and Roland Labuhn (BMgt ’90) grew up witnessing their parents’ generosity and community-minded spirit, spurring a legacy of giving they are proud to continue through the creation of the Labuhn Family Indigenous Impact Prize.
The University of Lethbridge alumni are longtime supporters of their alma mater, contributing philanthropically through financial contributions, volunteerism, mentorship and relationship building. The latest contribution encapsulates their commitment to community building, education, reconciliation and allyship.
“Our parents were refugees who knew nobody, but created a community,” says Harvey, who worked 42 years in the accounting profession and is a retired partner at Avail LLP.
Their father, an immigrant from Ukraine, managed a concrete factory where he employed a diverse workforce, including individuals from the Blackfoot Nation.
“We saw how people embraced each other, and that formed our values,” he says. “Then, with our individual journeys towards university and understanding more broadly over time, southern Alberta and Indigenous issues, we felt like it was the right focus for this scholarship because that’s where we saw the greatest need and where we could have the biggest impact.”
The Labuhn Family Indigenous Impact Prize will award two, $2,000 prizes annually, with at least one award designated for a student of Indigenous ancestry. The second is open to any student — Indigenous or non-Indigenous — with the focus of the awards going to those who have shown a commitment to improving the lives of Indigenous communities in Canada.
“We want to support and recognize the journey of Indigenous students and help them rise up,” says Roland, a technology partner at Deloitte and founder of R8dius, an Indigenous-majority-owned services firm. “And we also want to celebrate those who contribute to Indigenous communities in various ways, whether through research, science or community engagement. Reconciliation is a shared responsibility.”
Naamoipiiksi (Hummingbird) Shanda Webber (BA ’05), director of Iniskim Indigenous Relations, says the award continues to advance Indigenization and reconciliation on campus, a key ULethbridge priority.
“Gifts like the Labuhn Family Indigenous Impact Prize provide pathways for our students to pursue their post-secondary education,” says Webber. “In addition to that, the Labuhns are showing true partnership in reconciliation. This award emphasizes building relationships based on trust, respect and understanding.”
The University’s Board of Governors Matching Fund will also double the impact of the Labuhn family donation, meaning every dollar contributed to the fund will provide twice the support for Indigenous students.
For the Labuhns, the gift is not a one-way transaction, rather it further cements relationships and elevates the community for all.
“It’s relational, and it’s a gift to us,” says Harvey. “For those of us who have the means, it’s about what it gives back in terms of how it shapes our lives and the relationships we have with our community.”
Roland encourages fellow alumni and community members to find what inspires them to contribute.
“Lean in — all of us can have an impact,” he says. “Whether you think it’s small or not, you impact a broader circle, and when you connect with others and learn about them, that is the core of life. For me, that’s the biggest part of the journey.”
The deadline for applications for the Labuhn Family Indigenous Impact Prize is April 15, 2025, after which the first recipients will be announced. Their journeys, shaped by the support of the Labuhn family, are sure to reflect the values of leadership, allyship, and a commitment to reconciliation — ensuring that the Labuhn legacy continues to inspire.
“To whomever receives this scholarship — be that light that inspires others,” says Roland. “Whether as an Indigenous leader or an ally, keep up the momentum.”
For more, see this profile.