Actua and Forward Summit Partner to Welcome and Make Space for Indigenous Youth in Conversations Around Economic Reconciliation
Press Release
Calgary, Alberta- January 19, 2023
Forward Summit, Canada’s premiere event for advancing reconciliation, is partnering with Actua, a leading STEM outreach organization, to empower and make space for Indigenous youth in the discussion on economic reconciliation and the role they will play in meeting the growing demand for a greater Indigenous presence in the Canadian economy.
This year’s Forward Summit, held May 17-18, 2023, will welcome 25 Indigenous youth, identified by Actua and the Calgary Board of Education, to participate as the 2023 Forward Summit Youth Delegation. The delegation will have the opportunity to connect and engage with industry representatives, learn about exciting career opportunities and participate in discussions on economic reconciliation.“We are pleased to partner with Forward Summit to enhance Actua’s existing Indigenous Youth in STEM (InSTEM) Program, which provides a culturally relevant learning experience that aligns Indigenous Knowledge and STEM,” says Jennifer Flanagan, President and CEO, Actua.
“STEM education is key to our future economy, so it’s critical to economic reconciliation that we increase Indigenous participation in STEM education and conversation around our future workforce.”
Before joining the Summit, the youth will participate in an extensive for-credit land-based STEM learning camp designed by Actua and the Calgary Board of Education’s Indigenous education team. The five-day camp, led by Indigenous cultural practitioners from the Treaty 7 region, will focus on Indigenous land-based STEM knowledge and equipping Indigenous youth with the in-demand skills and confidence needed to thrive in the future workforce. Upon completion of the camp, participants will be eligible to receive a high school credit recognized by Alberta’s Ministry of Education.
“It’s essential that we create space for Indigenous youth to participate in national conversations about economic reconciliation if we hope to establish the sustained momentum needed to address and correct the growing economic gap existing between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians,” said Miki Reeder, President and Founder of Forward Summit. “I am certain the lived experiences, insights and unique outlooks of our 2023 Forward Summit Youth Delegation will provide inspiration and hope to all industry partners and conference participants in attendance.”
Together, Actua and Forward Summit believe that aligning Indigenous world views and ways of knowing with the Western education system lays the foundation for Indigenous people’s full participation in Canada’s economy and is a fundamental element of reconciliation.
About Forward Summit
Since its inception in 2019, Forward Summit’s goal has been to provide organizations, Indigenous communities and business professionals with the tools and resources necessary to build successful, collaborative, and competitive business development projects that progress economic reconciliation for Indigenous peoples.
Unlike many other conferences, Forward Summit’s intended outcome is to create a community focused on action. The event brings together a diverse audience of Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations, Senior Executives, and Indigenous Community Leaders for over 20 hours of important discussions pertaining to economic reconciliation.
The next Forward Summit takes place from May 17-18, 2023, at the Grey Eagle Resort & Casino in Tsuu T’ina Nation in Calgary, AB. For more information on pricing & registration, visit our website: forwardsummit.ca/2023registration/.
About Actua
Actua is Canada’s largest science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) youth outreach organization representing over 40 university and college-based members. Each year, Actua’s growing network of member organizations engages over 350,000 young Canadians in 500 communities nationwide in transformative STEM learning experiences that build critical skills and confidence. Actua focuses on engaging underrepresented youth through specialized programs for Indigenous youth, girls and young women, at-risk youth, and youth living in Northern and remote communities. Its national InSTEM program reaches over 35,000 Indigenous youth per year in over 200 Indigenous communities. For more information about Actua, visit actua.ca.
Contact Information
Actua Communications
111 Murray Street, Ottawa, ON, K1N 5M5
Tel: (613) 234-4137 Fax: (613) 234-4779
Email: communications@actua.ca
Jennie Price
Event Marketing & Communications Manager
Connect Partnership Group Ltd.
Tel: (403) 648-0876 ext 713 cell: (403) 383-1675
Email: j.price@theconnectgroup.ca