March 2006 ISSUE
Aboriginal Members:
Where Are You?
BY LEN SHRIMPTON, P.ENG.
Director, Internal Affairs
If Aboriginals were represented in our professions to the same extent they are in the Alberta mosaic, then APEGGA would have about 3,000 Aboriginal members. However, we believe that there are fewer than 100.
The reasons are many — few engineering and geoscience role models, lack of support from family and their community, limited educational resources on reserves and Metis settlements, a lack of knowledge of academic prerequisites to gain admission to university engineering and geoscience programs, and limited awareness of the opportunities and rewards available to members of our professions.
We’d like to help change that. APEGGA wants to increase the number of Aboriginals in our professions and feels it has a role to play in making that happen.
There are two factors compelling APEGGA to become involved. The shortfall in qualified practitioners is predicted to intensify due to the retirement of the baby boomers and, more importantly, Alberta faces serious challenges if the human resources available in the Aboriginal community are not appropriately addressed in any solutions developed to meet these opportunities.
There are a number of complex and long-standing issues, some of which are beyond APEGGA’s expertise and influence. However, APEGGA can — on behalf of its members — provide leadership and support in several areas. But APEGGA-initiated or supported programs will only succeed if we have member support.
This article is our call to members, both Aboriginal and non-aboriginal, and to our permit holders to get involved and become partners in finding and implementing solutions. The four areas of focus are:
1. Encourage and support an interest in the maths and sciences in Aboriginal youth in the hope that some will aspire to be engineers and geoscientists.
An extension of our Outreach program, this encouragement will come through career presentations (both in class and at career fairs), science olympics, science nights, and our support and participation in science camps and science fairs. Some of these events are undertaken in cooperation with the public and separate school systems, and with the faculties of engineering at the U of A and the U of C.
Most of the volunteers required will be needed in this area. If you enjoy making presentations and working with kids, contact Jeanne Keaschuk, Outreach Supervisor, for details of these events and the role you can play.
2. Mentor Aboriginals of all ages.
When support is unavailable locally, encouragement has to come from those in the profession who have been through the process. Helping kids as early as elementary school and right up through to university and beyond will be invaluable.
Some of the mentoring can be done over the phone or by e-mail. If mentoring
is your forté, you can contact Nancy Toth, Manager, Human Resources & Professional
Development, for details.
3. Increase funding for Aboriginal students.
We understand that education funding for Aboriginals to attend post-secondary education varies significantly from one community to another. The APEGGA Education Foundation will be encouraged to seek more funding for Aboriginal post-secondary scholarships from permit holders.
But you don’t need to wait for the call. You can contact Ross Plecash, P.Eng., Director, Corporate and Member Affairs.
4. Increase member awareness of Aboriginal issues.
Your input into articles of interest would be appreciated. You may even want to write one yourself. George Lee, Manager, Editorial Services, would be pleased to hear from you.
And if you want to provide some general advice or insights, you may contact me, Len Shrimpton, P.Eng., Director, Internal Affairs, or Jane Tink, P.Eng., Chair, Aboriginal Affairs Committee.
CONTACT INFO
APEGGA
780-426-3990
1-800-661-770
Jeanne Keaschuk
jkeaschuk@apegga.org
Nancy Toth, MA, CHRP
ntoth@apegga.org
Ross Plecash, P.Eng.
rplecash@apegga.org
George Lee
glee@apegga.org
Len Shrimpton, P.Eng.
lshrimpton@apegga.org
Jane Tink, P.Eng.
jane_tink@calgary.ryderscott.com