INDIGENOUS RELATIONS We joined our Indigenous members and all Indigenous Peoples in grief over the horrifying discovery of unmarked graves at former residential schools across Canada. Words and condolences aren’t enough—true reconciliation requires action. In addition to supporting Orange Shirt Day—and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation—we provided 4 Seasons of Reconciliation training to all staff and a discount on the training to our members.
We encourage all members to register for this course and begin their journey of learning towards reconciliation. As we move forward as a regulator that supports equity, diversity, and inclusion in the engineering and geoscience professions, we pledge our continued support to all our Indigenous members.
We share three of their stories here.
Steven Vaivada, P.Eng., is fuelled by a hope for change and a responsibility to shape outcomes for the land and Indigenous communities. A member of the Blood Tribe, he is in a unique position to help such communities thrive. His consulting firm, Scout Engineering, partners with companies on infrastructure improvement projects, helping them develop impactful and mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous communities. “The Indigenous communities we work with are taking a proactive approach to address the challenges that they face. I think there’s a very positive story to be told.”
Engineer-in-training Lucy Kootenay is clearing a path for Indigenous engineers now and in the future. As a student at the University of Alberta, she formed the university’s Indigenous Engineering Student Association. Today, she works with the Blooming Program at AECOM—a program to hire and mentor newly graduated Indigenous engineers. “I think the end goal is to be a middle person: someone who has one foot in the industry and the other foot in the community, with the intent to facilitate more meaningful conversations.”
Keith Diakiw, CD, P.Geo., believes geological history is a thread that connects us to our past. He sees himself as a scientist of Mother Earth and generously passes on his knowledge to others. A proud Métis, Keith shares his passion with students as a long-time volunteer with APEGA’s Rock & Fossil Clinic. He also provides Earth science hikes—combined with traditional Indigenous storytelling—with his company Talking Rock Tours. “Mother Earth is our classroom, and every geographic region of the world has a story to tell.”
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