Good morning!
I wanted to take this important day to touch base and acknowledge Indigenous peoples day. I am excited to see all the amazing events and celebrations across the country to honour the diverse peoples of Turtle Island (North America). I live and work in the space of integrating Indigenous perspectives in engineering on Treaty 7 territory, and have had the opportunity in the past three years to travel across the country, on many treaty and unceded lands, and learn and share with others in this space. I am excited to announce that I have been accepted to pursue my Masters in Engineering Education at the University of Calgary with a focus on integrating Indigenous knowledge in engineering. I am looking forward to connecting with communities, Elders and other Indigenous professionals and scholars as I move forward in researching Indigenization and Decolonization of the engineering profession. As you may know, I am an adoptee with roots in Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation and Mikisew Cree First Nation (Treaty 8), and I have been on a lifelong journey reconnecting. My mother and many of my family live in Vancouver and I was excited to have had the chance to connect with them while I was there.
I would like to share that IndigeSTEAM is hosting the Power to Choose Indigenous STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) Power to Choose Camp at the University of Calgary again from July 15 - 19. The youth, from grade 4 - 12, are not expected to pay for their attendance and we are still seeking sponsors and donations to help cover their residence, food and materials costs. We would also love any donations of swag for youth gift bags. Our camp is focused on delivering culturally safe and relevant science, technology, engineering and math programming that incorporates the arts. (STEAM). If you or your organization can help, please visit IndigeSTEAM.ca. Thank you to Stantec, Nutrien, Shell, APEGA Foundation, University of Calgary, U of C Schulich School of Engineering, U of C Cumming School of Medicine, U of C Continuing Education, U of C Faculty of Science, AIM-HI Network, First Robotic Society, Aahksoyo'p Indigenous Comfort Food, Canada Summer Jobs, Rangeland Engineering, Let's Talk Science, and the Alberta Energy Regulator. Indigenous Engineering Inclusion is also a proud major supporter of IndigeSTEAM with a percentage of workshop and speaking fees going towards IndigeSTEAM work.
In May, I was honoured to speak at the Business Professional Women event on Equity, Diversity, Indigenous inclusion and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. I loved learning about their work and experiences attending United Nations events for Women, and someday I would love to attend a UN event.
We hosted our first IndigeSTEAM Robotics Pow Wow at Stantec offices in May (Named by our youth members of IndigeSTEAM). This event brought youth from Calgary, Siksika, Tsuu T'ina, and Kainai to build robots, dress them and demonstrate them. We had a jingle dancing robot, a drummer and many other creative designs. It was wonderful to see the excitement on the faces of the youth and we were so grateful for the support of parents, mentors and Elders. We also enjoyed the wonderful food prepared by Shantel Tallow of Aahksoyo'p Indigenous Comfort Food.
I was honoured to be included in a travelling science centre exhibit created by Ingenium as a featured scientist! I have not seen it in person but was excited to be tagged with these photos on social media and I am looking forward to seeing the whole exhibit and learn more about the other scientists featured.
In June, one of the highlights of my month was heading east to Peterborough and Toronto. In Peterborough, I was honoured to attend an Indigenous Knowledge workshop with the Engineering Change Lab at Trent University. What I loved about this experience is that it was delivered in a very traditional way, with Elders, Talking Circles and Ceremony. It was a very similar approach to our IndigeSTEAM retreat in April in Banff, and it was heartwarming and inspiring to witness engineers do similar work on the other side of the country. After this workshop, I had the opportunity to speak at George Brown College's Philosophy of Education conference in Toronto, as a respondent to Jeremy Rifkin. I spoke on Indigeneering (TM) the Digital Age: Integrating and Protecting Indigenous Knowledge Online. The conference was enlightening and the students were all so committed to contributing positively to sustainability and ethics in the digital age.
After speaking in Toronto, I travelled to Grande Prairie for the Energy Futures Lab Community Outreach workshop. Then made my way to Vancouver to participate on an NSERC Panel on diversity and equity in Research Excellence.
I attended the Global Petroleum Show where I presented the Suzanne West Award for Environmental Excellence to MGX Minerals. As someone who was strongly influenced by her as my manager early in my career, it was a true honour to present this award.
I also had the opportunity to moderate a panel with Stephen Buffalo from the Indian Resource Council, Delbert Wapass from Project Reconciliation, Clayton Norris from MNP and Hon. Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Mines, Northern Development and Indigenous Affairs in the Ontario. We were discussing Indigenous led projects. It was a positive and dynamic conversation on potential ownership in major projects such as the Transmountain Expansion. With the recent re-approval, we will be watching this closely.
I enjoyed delivering Indigenous inclusion focused presentations this past couple of weeks at Arc Resources and Husky Energy and wanted to say I am looking forward available to book workshops for the summer and fall and would love an introduction to your training, development or Indigenous engagement teams. I would love a referral to anyone you think might like more information.
Wishing you all a very happy Indigenous peoples day. I honour everyone who is taking the time to attend an event somewhere around you.
Deanna Burgart, P.Eng, CET
President, Indigeneer™
Indigenous Engineering Inclusion Inc.
[email protected]
403 919 9366
I acknowledge the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (including the Siksika, Piikuni, Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to Metis Nation of Alberta, Region III.
I would also like to take the opportunity to honour all peoples, Indigenous and non-Indigenous who are doing inner work and taking the time to walk the path of reconciliation together from the heart. I am grateful for everyone I learn from and everyone with whom I have something to share.
