This award recognizes a collaboration between an Outreach Site (or Sites) and an Indigenous community that demonstrates a strong, positive impact on Indigenous youth through involvement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)-focused learning opportunities.
Mentoring Cree youth in Moose Factory, Carleton University & University of Ottawa Volunteers from the University of Ottawa and Carleton University sites have been partnering with two rural communities – the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation and the Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne – to run an Indigenous Mentorship Program for more than a decade and have now expanded this to Moose Factory, Ontario, in partnership with the Delores D. Eachum School. Volunteers have worked with a local school within the community to bring culturally relevant STEM activities and involve students in annual research projects, including travel to Ottawa, where students presented their research in a post-secondary environment.
Past winners:
2023 – Let's Talk Science at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University Outreach Sites partnered with Jolina Gull-Blacksmith Memorial School and Rainbow Elementary School to bring activities to the community, engage youth bilingually, and set up activities and workshops in collaboration with an Elder in Waswanapi.
2022 – Let’s Talk Science at University of Ottawa and Carleton University (Ottawa site), University of New Brunswick Saint John (UNB Saint John), University of New Brunswick Fredericton (UNB Fredericton)
2021 – Let’s Talk Science at Lakehead University, Orillia
2020 – Let’s Talk Science Outreach at the University of Ottawa
2019 – Let’s Talk Science Outreach at Memorial University, St. John’s campus
2018 – Let’s Talk Science Outreach Team, University of Calgary
Nominate a project for the 2024-25 Indigenous Project Outreach Award
Any individual Let’s Talk Science volunteer or group of Let’s Talk Science volunteers can submit a project. There is no limit on the number of individuals involved in each project. Individuals can be involved in more than one project.
Volunteers who self-identify as Indigenous are encouraged to apply for this award. Previous recipients include both Indigenous volunteers, whether working with their home community or another community, and non-Indigenous volunteers.
For full details, and to nominate a project, see the nomination form.