Lakehead University has received $540,000 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) PromoScience program to address the underrepresentation of Indigenous perspectives and knowledge in Canada's engineering profession.
Led by Lakehead's Faculty of Engineering, the project, Sustainable Engineering for Indigenous Communities,' will develop outreach programming for primary and secondary school students in northwestern Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, with an emphasis on engaging Indigenous youth and their communities to promote sustainable engineering.
"Our shared intention with our partners is to provide Indigenous youth with more opportunities and more pathways to become engineers, enabling them to apply their talent and perspectives to help address challenges facing communities across Canada, including sustainable land development, ecosystem restoration, and access to clean water, energy, and housing," said Faculty of Engineering dean Dr. Janusz Kozinski.
Dr. Kozinski says that less than one per cent of undergraduate students enrolled in accredited engineering programs in Canada identify as Indigenous. "We want to send a strong, compelling message to students throughout their educational journey that engineering is for everyone and there is a pathway for every student to become an engineer."
Alongside partners PSI Analytics Inc., a Saskatoon-based pavement, materials, and mining engineering firm, and Civiconnect, an Ontario-based organization with expertise in developing work-integrated learning experiences for young people, the outreach program aims to engage 2,000 Indigenous youth each year, and an additional 5,000 through digital resources and platforms. Educators, including Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and cultural advisors, will support the development and delivery of these initiatives.
"PSI believes in knowledge sharing with youngsters in our community," stated Dr. Curtis Berthelot, President and Chief Technical Officer, PSI Analytics Inc. "We are aware of the necessity of developing outreach programs and educational pathways that are designed in a collaborative partnership with Indigenous leaders and educators, with the long-term goal of bringing more Indigenous students into engineering, and to help build the next generation of infrastructure that Canada needs."
"Through initiatives like this, Lakehead University can create balanced and effective engineering solutions that genuinely benefit Indigenous communities," said Nour Hage, President & CEO of Civiconnect. "By partnering on this initiative, we strive to further Civiconnect's mission of fostering career readiness among Canada's youth, notably by expanding opportunities for Indigenous communities, thereby enhancing our efforts to bridge educational and employment gaps in underrepresented groups."
The proposal also received strong support from the Fort William First Nation, the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, Gambler First Nation in Manitoba, and Lakehead's Office of Indigenous Initiatives.
The project is set to begin later in 2025 and will take place initially over the next three years.
NSERC's PromoScience program offers financial support for organizations working with young Canadians to promote an understanding of science and engineering (including mathematics and technology). PromoScience supports hands-on learning experiences for young students and their science teachers.
