MONTREAL/February 19, 2003—
"http://www.nativeaccess.com":http://www.nativeaccess.com
"http://www.dream-catching.com":http://www.dream-catching.com
MONTR…AL / February 19, 2003 ñ On, Wednesday, February 19, Concordia University's Native Access to Engineering Program (NAEP) will launch its newest initiative, Web Portraits: A Day in the Life of an Engineer. The launch will take place at 5 pm, in room H-767 of the Henry F. Hall Building (1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West), at the opening reception for DreamCatching 2003: Professional Development Workshops in Math and Science for Teachers of Aboriginal Students being held at Concordia from February 19 to 22.
This initiative is designed specifically for high speed, broadband users. The interactive feature uses streaming audio and video technologies to present a typical day in the lives of three Aboriginal engineers from different parts of Canada.
Featured in Web Portraits are:
• Robert Deom, a partner and Director of Operations for Joe Deom Associates, an engineering consulting firm in Kahnawake, QC;
• Mark Green, a professor of civil engineering at Queen's University in Kingston, ON;
• Glenn Hudson, an industrial engineer working with Ayshkum Engineering, a 100% Aboriginal-owned firm in Peguis, MB.
Mr. Deom and Dr. Green were present at the launch, along with Concordia Rector, Dr. Frederick Lowy, Dean of Engineering and Computer Science, Dr. Nabil Esmail, and Mr. Gary Bosgoed, President of Bosgoed Projects, a 2003 National Aboriginal Achievement Award winner.
Last week, the Honourable Robert D. Nault, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), released the final report from the National Working Group on First Nations Education, and discussed how the government will work to ensure First Nations children have the same opportunities and quality of education that Canadians enjoy. The NAEP has been working on such projects for 10 years with the support of a number of government departments including INAC, Human Resources Development Canada, Industry Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and the National Research Council, and private sector supporters such as IBM Canada.
Web Portraits is the NAEP's most recent project to speak directly to Aboriginal children and youth about the potential of science and engineering academics and careers. Web Portraits is designed to allow children to explore and discover the wide variety of opportunities the engineering profession provides. It also sends the message that people can pursue post-secondary education and still remain true to their culture and heritage.
Web Portraits: A Day in the Life of an Engineer was developed with contributions and support from:
Inukshuk Internet Fund
Industry Canada
MinistËre de l'…ducation du Quèbec
University of Manitoba Engineering Endowment Fund
l'Ordre des ingÈnieurs du Quèbec
Concordia University
DreamCatching will continue at Concordia for the next 3 days. It features an international group of speakers and workshop facilitators, including Bob McDonald of CBC's Quirks and Quarks. Mr. McDonald will speak on *Saturday, February 22, 2003* in the DeSËve Theatre (LB 125) of the McConnell Building (1400 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West) beginning at 09h30. His presentation, "Perspectives on the Planet," will look at both western and indigenous views of science and stewardship.
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