Exploring the Intersectionality of Indigeneity in Engineering

Join Dr. Kerry Black, Canada Research Chair in Integrated Knowledge, Engineering and Sustainable Communities, Schulich School of Engineering, as she leads an open conversation with four Indigenous engineers from across Canada. Our guest panelists work in a variety of roles that include focusing on Indigenous inclusion in engineering. They will explore their own personal and professional experiences balancing the intersectionality of their own identities and perspectives, and their growth as engineering professionals. 

Participants will share advice and insights for Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) students in engineering as well as suggestions for engineering faculty, staff and students to take steps in reconciliation for the engineering profession.  

Deanna Burgart is a Cree, Dene, Irish engineer who is passionate about creating culturally safe spaces to invite Indigenous perspectives into engineering and the energy sector. After 20 years in the oil and gas industry, she joined the University of Calgary as a Senior Instructor at the University of Calgary's Schulich School of Engineering and is the first Teaching Chair focused on weaving Indigenous Knowledge with Engineering. Deanna is passionate about working with Indigenous peoples and allies to create ethical space for Indigenous peoples in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math). She serves on the Board of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) where she co-leads the Education committee. She also serves on the Board of Contemporary Calgary Arts and several Indigenous advisory groups across Canada and the United States. Deanna is a proud Kokum (grandma) of one and mom to three children ages 25, 16 and 9 and lives in Treaty 7 territory with her husband Jonathan and their 70 lb Australian-Shephard Poodle cross, Schrödinger.

Jason Bazylak is a Metis Professional Engineer (Homeland: Duck Lake/Professional Engineers of Ontario), Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering (FASE) Dean’s Advisor on Indigenous Initiatives, and Associate Professor Teaching Stream. He runs an award winning first year design course series for engineering students, researches the under-representation of women and Indigenous people in engineering, and is raising three sons to bring positive change into this world. He was the co-chair of the Eagles’ Longhouse who jointly wrote, with Indigenous partners, the Blueprint for Action. A plan for the FASE to address the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). In the Metis tradition he bridges the cultures of the Education (M.Ed Ontario Institute for Studies in Education in Toronto) and Engineering (B.Eng. Engineering Physics from Saskatoon). He uses that unique position to make the learning experience better for engineering students (received Joan Foley Quality of Student Experience Award). He also couples that with his life experience to build connections between engineering and Indigenous students and communities (received Hart Teaching Innovation Professorship). To give Indigenous people of Turtle Island a voice in the building and maintaining of their and other communities.

Jessica Vandenberghe is Dene Tha born and raised in a very inclusive German family in northern Alberta. She has had an exceptional career based on her two engineering degrees from the University of Alberta and has worked in the oil sands, mining, regulatory, infrastructure, and consulting industries. She is an Indigenous Professional Engineer, Industrial Professor, and the Assistant Dean (Outreach) at the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta. She also has her own consulting firm, Guiding Star Consulting where she contributes to Truth and Reconciliation, acting as a bridge to Indigenous communities, talks to Calls to Action implementation, and works on TRC awareness. She is a mother of two and is passionate about equity, diversity and inclusion. She sits on many boards and Councils, walks in many governance worlds, and does her best to contribute to the development of well-rounded and ethically minded engineering students who will ultimately build strong and vibrant communities within Canada.

Randy Herrmann is the director of the Engineering Access Program (ENGAP) at the University of Manitoba.  ENGAP is a support program designed to assist First Nation, Metis and Inuit students seeking an engineering degree. He graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geological Engineering. For ten years he worked as a geotechnical engineer and a project manager before taking on his current role.

Over the years Randy’s work with Canadian Indigenous communities and within the engineering field has shown him the lack of engineers of First Nation, Metis, and Inuit ancestry and the obstacles faced by these students to obtain a degree.  His desire to help change these factors and make it easier for Indigenous students to pursue an engineering degree led him to become Director of ENGAP, a position he has held since 1998.

He is a Fellow of Engineers Canada, and a member of the Canadian Academy of Engineering. He is also a member of Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba and the Manitoba Metis community.