Miyo Wahkohtowin – Working Together – to support First Nations Youth

On Saturday, March 18, 2023, a group of distinguished guests, including Chief Cadmus Delorme, Cowessess Director of Education Sandy Pinay-Schindler, and Melissa Shepherd, Indigenous Relations Manager at K+S Potash Canada, visited students from Cowessess First Nation who were attending the First Nations Family Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Program at the Saskatchewan Science Centre. The visit was a testament to the success of the program, which started in January and will support the students until their post-secondary education.

The goal of the program is to empower and inspire Indigenous youth to pursue careers in STEM fields, and to provide them with the tools and resources they need to succeed. The program has been met with enthusiastic support from both the community and local business who see the potential for Indigenous youth to make a significant impact in the field.

The First Nations Family STEM Program was initiated by Nanan STEM Academy and Chief Delorme, and it was sponsored by Cowessess First Nation, K+S Potash Canada, the Saskatchewan Science Centre, Enbridge, SIGA, as well as individually by Sarah and David Rosen from Victoria, British Columbia. 

According to a report published by The Conference Board of Canada, less than 2% of people working in STEM professions are Indigenous. To overcome these challenges, it is important for the community to continue to work together and provide support for Indigenous youth. Programs like the First Nations Family STEM Program in Regina are a crucial step towards empowering and inspiring Indigenous youth to pursue careers in STEM fields.

The First Nations Family STEM Program is designed to provide Cowessess youth with opportunities to explore STEM fields and build valuable skills. Through weekly classes and hands-on activities, students are able to engage with subjects such as robotics, coding, video game creation, graphics design, math, and develop their problem solving skills.

In addition to learning STEM the students also teach their non-indigenous teacher, Shaun Nanan, Cree language. This Saturday the word of the day was “miyo wahkohtowin” or “good relations.”  The students and families were able to connect with leaders in the community and learn more about the possibilities that lie ahead. The guests provided inspiration and encouragement, sharing their own experiences and offering advice on how to succeed in the field. They also acknowledge the hard work and dedication that the students and their families are making towards their education. 

As Chief Cadmus Delorme said during his visit, “We need to work together to ensure that First Nations youth have the same opportunities as everyone else. Programs like this are a great way to make that happen.”

In the spirit of “miyo wahkohtowin”, let us continue to work together to create a brighter future for Indigenous youth in STEM fields.