Relevant information: I'm a 20 year old college freshman finishing up my first year. I'm half Canadian First Nations and half white. I'm located in Vancouver, BC, Canada. I live with my family and pay my mother a reasonable amount of rent to live there.

Ever since starting school last fall, I've been uncomfortable with accepting tuition payments from my band/the government. I was raised white, identify as white, and am as far removed from my native heritage as a half indigenous man can be.

I brought up to my mom that I want to use my savings and work through the summer to afford my tuition, which is very affordable and always will be since I am attending college and not University, instead of accepting band funding.

Her perspective is that I am shaming my ancestors, including my grandparents, who suffered at the hands of the government, by not accepting the money offered to me.

My perspective is that I am taking advantage of my ancestors and their struggles by taking their money despite my white privilege, and the limited money my band gets should go to somebody less fortunate than I am who needs it more. Especially since I can 100% afford my tuition no problem without the help of the government.

So, AITA for giving up this opportunity of free schooling?