2016 ACES Recipients

In November, BluEarth selected five recipients of our 2016 Aboriginal Clean Energy Scholarship (ACES) which provides financial support and skills development opportunities for Canadian Aboriginal students pursuing trades certification, diploma, degree and other programs from accredited post-secondary institutions.

The scholarship offers the opportunity for Aboriginal students to receive mentorship and the possibility of work experience while learning from one of the most experienced renewable power generation teams in the country. Congratulations to all the 2016 ACES recipients.

Alison Frank – University of Lethbridge

 “Oki. My Name is Alison Tailfeathers Frank I am a member of the Blackfoot Confederacy from the Kainai Nation. I currently in my fifth year in the Pre Education Bachelor of Arts and Science Program, majoring in Native American Studies and Native Education at the University of Lethbridge. I work within my community as a mentor and advocate for our First Nations youth with the University of Lethbridge FNMI Mentorship Program. I have a passion for traditional knowledge along with a responsibility to teach the future generation. I believe we need to teach the future generation about renewable resources at an early age, so that they can gain the knowledge needed to make the positive changes to sustain our land. This scholarship allows me to obtain my post secondary education. Awarding students with this scholarship releases financial stress, allowing students to focus on their studies so they can achieve their goals. Thank you toBluEarth Renewables for providing this support.”

Austin Zacharko – University of Alberta

“From a young age I was taught about the importance of giving back to society and how everyone can make a difference. Growing up in Alberta, I became passionate about how the effects of climate change were affecting my community. This evolved into an interest in renewable energy which led me to start my degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Alberta. A degree in mechanical engineering will allow me to become involved with the construction and operation of renewable facilities across Canada. I believe that by creating more renewable facilities across the country, we will be able to change Canada’s reliance on nonrenewable energy. This shift in energy will help preserve land across the country especially in Aboriginal communities. By receiving this scholarship from BluEarth Renewables they have not only shown me that they care about helping me finish my degree, but also that they see my potential and how I can help make a difference in the Canadian Energy Sector.”

Cole Burns – University of Calgary

“Ecology is a branch of biology that focuses on the connections between living organisms and different physical aspects of their environment. An important part of renewable energy is minimizing environmental impacts while still being able to enjoy sustainable power. However, there are many ecological processes that exist in nature that aren’t easily perceivable to humans and often get overlooked in regards to energy production. Therefore, ecology is relevant to renewable energy on the basis of maintaining a minimal footprint and preventing unintended harm to our ecosystems. Like other First Nations groups, the Métis are important stakeholders in the energy sector since they have spiritual ties to the land. As a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta, practicing environmental stewardship is not only important to me academically or scientifically, but it is also significant in regards to my culture. So both ecology and renewable energy are relevant as they promote these intrinsic core values. Bluearth Renewables’ ACES scholarship will allow me to focus on my research, which in turn can benefit everyone by providing a better understanding of how certain natural processes function in our world. This generosity is greatly appreciated, Thankyou/Merci! “

Lana Domoslai – Mount Royal University

“In the spring of 2017, I will be graduating from Mount Royal University with my Bachelor of Education degree. The BluEarth Aboriginal Clean Energy Scholarship supports me in fulfilling my long-term dream of becoming a teacher. Teaching in the province of Alberta, whose economy relies heavily on oil and gas poses challenges, it is important that students are aware of the impacts non-renewable energy sources have on the environment as well. As a part of my Aboriginal culture, the land is considered sacred and needs to be protected by only using what we need. I aim to integrate the Aboriginal community into my instruction to entice students’ appreciation for protecting of our earth. As a future educator it is imperative that I facilitate information that is relevant and has real world application for students. As a part of the Alberta Program of Study, each grade level is to explore issues about the environment and learn about sustainable ways to protect it. It is my responsibility to educate my students about renewable energy solutions in an impactful way that will serve them throughout their lives even if that means one less tiny carbon footprint at a time.”

Rejean Poulin-Dubois – St. Lawrence College

“I attend school at St. Lawrence College taking the Wind Turbine Technician course. I live in a small reservation named Batchewana First Nations, it’s a nice and quiet reserve. I plan to use this scholarship money to help pay for my school necessities and rent. My program is for working on wind turbines, which is renewable energy tech. I plan on using what I learn from this course to apply myself better when working on the wind turbines.”