As a Métis-owned and certified Indigenous business, Juno values its connections with Indigenous communities and continually seeks new ways to promote active inclusion in the engineering industry. Sponsoring the Schulich School of Engineering’s Indigenous Pathways Program provides an excellent opportunity to do just that.
The Pathways Program aims to cultivate an Indigenous-centered community, providing students at the University of Calgary with encouragement and support to pursue an education in engineering and ultimately succeed as engineers in Canada. As more First Nations, Inuit, and Métis individuals become professional engineers, the hope is that younger members of their communities will increasingly view this educational and career pathway as a realistic and exciting opportunity.
“We know that Indigenous youth face numerous barriers to entering engineering, including limited access to STEM education, financial challenges, and a lack of Indigenous representation in the field,” says Brad Fuhr, President of Juno and a proud member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. “With less than 1% of engineers identifying as Indigenous—and an even smaller fraction being Métis—we must do more to ensure Indigenous youth feel welcome, confident, and supported in pursuing this highly rewarding career.”
To this end, Juno has committed $25,000 over the next five years to the Indigenous Pathways Program. These funds will contribute to scholarships, materials and supplies for Pathways courses, honorariums for Indigenous guest speakers, student awards, and programming to support Indigenous student success. The sponsorship also includes the opportunity to host an annual “lunch and learn” presentation with students from the program—an initiative that aligns closely with Juno’s Indigenous Inclusion Plan.
“I look forward to sharing with the students how important it is—and will continue to be—to integrate Indigenous worldviews into everything we do,” explains Brad. “I’m convinced that approaching engineering challenges from a diversity of perspectives and different frames of reference is essential to developing fresh ideas and innovative technological solutions.”
Brad, who participates in the Ontario IESO Indigenous Energy Support Program, believes that greater Indigenous representation will enable more sustainable and community-centered approaches that address both Indigenous priorities and shared challenges like energy reduction and climate resilience.
The Juno team appreciates the opportunity to participate in this sponsorship program, as it is not only a meaningful investment in reconciliation and Indigenous empowerment but also a way to strengthen the economy, enhance workforce diversity, and support broader community well-being.
To learn more about the Schulich Indigenous Pathways Program, visit schulich.ucalgary.ca/future-students/undergraduate/admissions/indigenous-pathways-program.
