Indigenous Pathways is an outreach and engagement initiative for Indigenous post-secondary students within the borders of Canada on Turtle Island. As part of TECHNATION’s Career Ready Program, it hosts gatherings and circles where students can connect with leaders in the tech industry. Indigenous Pathways adopts a conversational format designed to encourage listening and promote networking. TECHNATION 

What are the goals of Indigenous Pathways? 

Indigenous students continue to be underrepresented in computer sciences and other traditional post-secondary streams into tech. That’s why organizations must embrace diverse ways of recruiting and knowing—to avoid missing out on Indigenous tech talent. The goal of Indigenous Pathways is to forge connections, share knowledge, and inspire. It draws from Career Ready Program data and community-led testimonials to demonstrate how Indigenous students—regardless of their academic discipline or faculty—can apply their learning across various career streams within the technology sector. 

Industry 

Indigenous Pathways invites TECHNATION members and other prominent industry professionals from the tech sector to create meaningful connections with Indigenous post-secondary students. Industry representatives will share their expertise to inspire students—and in turn, be inspired by the next generation of Indigenous tech talent. 

How will Indigenous Pathways grow? 

Indigenous Pathways represents the first step in a long-term journey for TECHNATION to align with other leaders in the tech sector who have fostered meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples. A key indicator of success will be the creation of new spaces—or the nurturing of existing ones—that support Indigenous post-secondary students and enable further opportunities for mutual learning and understanding (Wilson-Raybould 253–254). 

Contact

Email Paige Peters or Tim Sidock to learn more about the Indigenous Pathways initiative and upcoming events. 

Miigwetch to Nickia McIvor for designing the graphics for Zgaabii. Nickia (they/them) is a Cree graphic designer and illustrator from Churchill, MB.