Algoma University
Quinn Meawasige
Boozhoo, my name is Quinn Meawasige, I am an Anishinaabe and I am a citizen of Serpent River First Nation, a small community located along the North Shore of Lake Huron. My community is a signatory to the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850. I am in my final year of my Community Economic and Social Development Honours degree at Algoma University in Baawiting (Sault Ste. Marie, ON.) What I would like to see is First Nation communities become sustainable and self-sufficient through micro grid renewable/green energy projects. In working with First Nation communities, it is important that our communities are engaged, informed and are full participants to any development that occurs both within communities and our traditional/treaty territories. Community visioning, engagement and strategic planning is an important aspect of advancing the collective interests of our communities. It is important that our community members shape the narrative and are the drivers of development within our territories. By developing a community strategic plan, community members can be engaged, informed and become invested in advancing renewable and green energy projects forward. Through these planning processes, our communities can become proactive and investment ready to carry out these renewable energy projects. With the support of the BluEarth Renewables Scholarship, I will be able to continue to advance my education and will allow me to continue to give back to my community.
University of Manitoba
Nettie Wallace
My name is Nettie Wallace. I am currently in my second year of a Biosystems Engineering Degree with an Environmental Specialization at the University of Manitoba. I chose to pursue this degree because it focuses on engineering practices and innovation from an environmental perspective, with an emphasis on sustainability. Specifically, my interests are in the area of water and wastewater management as well as finding clean renewable energy sources that do not impact aquatic ecosystems or the people who depend on them. I am a member of the Manitoba Metis Nation from St. Andrews, Manitoba. My community is located in the South Basin of Lake Winnipeg, the 10th largest lake in the word and considered one of the most threatened fresh water lakes in the world. BluEarth’s 2018 Aboriginal Clean Energy Scholarship will allow me to focus on my school work and grades by alleviating some of the financial pressure associated with post-secondary school. While the financial assistance will be very helpful, I am also looking forward to the mentorship aspect of the program as I believe that this type of guidance from a knowledgeable professional in renewable energy will be valuable in assisting me to achieve my goals. This scholarship will contribute to the successful completion of my degree and allow me to make a positive impact on the environment and the people who depend on the health of Lake Winnipeg. After graduation I hope to be able to continue with my education at the Master’s level.
Royal Roads University
Keshia Moffat
Teluisi Keshia Moffat. Tle’awi Ugpi’ganjigq. Ni’n na Mi’gamwi’sq. My name is Keshia Moffat and I am a Mi’gmaq woman from Ugpi’ganjig First Nation in New Brunswick. I graduated from Mount Allison University with a degree in Chemistry in 2014. Following graduation, I had the opportunity to work for my community as a project manager for several environmental remediation projects. It was at this position I realized the lack of integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) within these types of projects and this ignited my motivation to continue my studies. I wanted to bring meaning to these initiatives and to ensure our TEK remained alive but lacked the confidence to do so. So, I enrolled into a Master’s program of Environmental Practice at Royal Roads University and I am currently in my final year of studies. By being enrolled in this program I was able to learn new skills, connect with my own traditional knowledge and develop ideas on how I as a First Nation person could integrate TEK into environmental research and projects. This scholarship will finance my final year of study, but more importantly, this scholarship is allowing me to be one step closer to be able to give back and share my knowledge stemming from my education with my community and to other First Nation communities. I am excited to continue this journey and to help play a role in keeping First Nation TEK alive for the next seven generations!
University of Manitoba
Eric Kapilik
I am a year Computer Engineering student at the University of Manitoba. I am a student of Métis ancestry and I am a part of the Engineering Access Program, which is Canada’s most successful engineering access program. Within this community, I am a TA for Engineering entry level courses and tutor other students. I am also the Vice-President of the Engineering Access Student Association. The money that BluEarth Renewables’ Aboriginal Clean Energy Scholarship has given me will greatly aid in reducing my financial demand as a student and allow me to focus more of my time on my studies and academic activities. It allows me to not need to worry about paying the bills, and instead worry about learning as much as possible from my courses. I plan to take what I learn about electricity, energy distribution, and artificial intelligence into the field of renewable energy production. Improving living conditions for now and future generations can be accomplished using AI and green energy. These fields are becoming increasingly intertwined as computer power, data collection, and storage capabilities exponentially increase. Also, the increased diversification of energy sources (wind, solar, and others) creates challenges for current distribution infrastructure. AI will help with this new challenge as the grid becomes smarter and more distributed.