The mission of the Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation is to increase the number of Indigenous students graduating from pure and applied science, engineering, and mathematics programs in Canada.
Our students work directly in research labs, allowing them to engage in real-world projects and spark their passion for STEM.
Students experience the real of campus life—staying in residence, exploring facilities, and connecting with peers & learning about support systems that are in place—helping them envision themselves in a university environment.
By connecting with fellow participants, dedicated mentors, and university allies, students create a supportive community that encourages personal growth and paves the way toward achieving their academic and career goals.
This was a really good week for me. Definitely a lot of once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
I now have more options to become what I want to become in life.
There is constantly something to learn, something new in science and you can help people in many ways with science, even yourself.
I now know I would’t want to work in a lab but I am still interested in science. I am very capable of graduating and going to post-secondary school. It will be hard but I can do it. I loved this program and it was a great opportunity. I would do it again if I could.
This was a once in a lifetime experience and I am honoured to have participated in it. Makes me feel special – and the interviews, with all the TV people, were awesome!