The Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) has announced a new program for Aboriginal post-secondary students that will provide opportunities to develop skills and gain real-world experience in their studies and future careers.

SRC’s Aboriginal Mentorship Program aims to connect First Nations, Inuit and Métis post-secondary students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with SRC mentors in the same or similar disciplines to help students take their education and work experience to the next level. The program includes coaching and mentoring throughout the school year to help set students up for success, along with meaningful hands-on summer employment.

Together, SRC and the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work collaboratively in the development and promotion of this program.

“The Government of Saskatchewan is dedicated to supporting training initiatives that fosters learning and development,” Innovation Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “This new program will assist First Nations and Métis students to train for rewarding careers in science, technology, engineering and math fields.”

“SRC is committed to fostering Aboriginal participation in the STEM disciplines by supporting students as they progress through their post-secondary education with opportunities to learn and grow both academically and personally,” SRC President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Laurier Schramm said. This program provides a real opportunity to do both.”

SRC welcomed its first student to the program this summer. The third-year, U of S College of Engineering student was matched with an SRC mentor and spent his summer gaining direct environmental engineering field-work experience with SRC’s Project CLEANS team in northern Saskatchewan. SRC plans to expand the program’s reach to include more students and additional post-secondary institutions.

”We are committed to the success of our Aboriginal students and continually work with Aboriginal communities throughout Saskatchewan to find ways to best support First Nations, Inuit and Métis people,” U of S Interim President Gordon Barnhart said. “This program is a perfect fit with that commitment and is another tangible way that our dedicated faculty and staff help our students apply classroom knowledge in a meaningful way.”

SRC’s Aboriginal Mentorship Program is proudly supported by SRC’s Technology-in-Action Fund – a perpetual memorial fund created by the late Ian and Pearl Wahn to support Saskatchewan’s entrepreneurial spirit.

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