Supporting Indigenous girls in their pursuit of higher education and careers in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, Trent University has partnered with the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to host the NEA’s International Mentoring Workshop May 7-10, 2023.

“Trent is home to world-class science facilities and has been an international leader in Indigenous education and incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing into our teaching and research,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, vice-president, Research & Innovation at Trent University. “We’re delighted to be offering these young women a space to explore their culture and deepen their interest in STEM. Their future opportunities are tremendous and we’re confident these four days at Trent will help light a spark within each participant.”

Hosted in Canada for the first time, the 2023 NEA International Mentoring Workshop—titled Gikendaaso Oshki Kwewag - The Young Women Carry Knowledge—aims to support and empower Indigenous girls to explore education pathways and career options in STEM fields. The workshop braids together Indigenous ways of knowing and western science to offer an engaging, hands-on learning experience. A key feature of the workshop is mentorship from eight Canadian and international mentors—women working in the nuclear and STEM industry.

“At the NEA, we encourage our member countries to accelerate their efforts to recruit diverse women into science and technology careers, and to support and develop them to advance into leadership positions,” said William D. Magwood, IV, director-general of the NEA.

"I am thrilled to participate in this first-of-its-kind mentoring workshop in Canada, designed to empower and inspire the next generation of leaders in STEM,” said Rumina Velshi, president of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. “The collaboration between the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), and Trent University is an important milestone in encouraging youth and Indigenous communities to explore the vast opportunities that STEM offers. Diverse voices bring a broader range of viewpoints and ideas, yielding better results and safety outcomes. We must persevere."

Around 30 talented female high school students have a unique and exciting opportunity to engage with a diverse group of mentors from Canada and around the world. These accomplished mentors include several women scientists and engineers from Canada, as well as four international mentors from Korea, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and France. The four-day workshop also includes a keynote address from Dr. Jeannette Corbiere Lavell, an advocate for Indigenous women’s rights; on-the-land learning sessions about water, plants, and medicines; hands-on learning in Trent’s Nursing Simulation Lab and Forensic Crime Scene Facility; and a tour to BWXT Peterborough. The NEA International Mentoring Workshop has previously been hosted in France, Japan, Kenya, Spain, and the UK.