YukonU Youth Moving Mountains pilots research mentorships for Indigenous youth 

Five Indigenous youth, including several Yukon high school students, will receive training and mentorship in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and Indigenous-led research approaches in partnership with researchers at the YukonU Research Centre this summer. 

Youth will actively participate in workshops and research conducted by the Northern Energy Innovation, Northern Mine Remediation, Strategy for Patient-oriented Research and Indigenous Knowledge research programs at the YukonU Research Centre. 
 
“Yukon First Nation Education Directorate (YFNED) is looking forward to partnering with Yukon University to help kids gain access to exciting opportunities that are not usually readily available,” said Darby Newnham, Team Lead of the Education Analysts, YFNED. “The youth chosen for this program are a great fit because of their enthusiasm for exploring different career pathways and STEM opportunities.” 

“We are thrilled to involve local youth in community-based research that aims to improve health outcomes throughout the Yukon,” said Dr. Liris Smith, Health Research Chair, Strategy for Patient-oriented Research, YukonU Research Centre. “Indigenous youth will experience research methods that incorporate different ways of knowing, doing, and being, and provide opportunities for new knowledge to be created across generations.” 

“We’re excited to pilot this new program for youth at an age—16 to 19—that is focused on exploring potential career options,” said Robin Mennell, Coordinator, YukonU Youth Moving Mountains.” Our hope is that exposure to real world research and hands-on activities will encourage participants to consider a future career pathway in STEM.” 

Recruitment for the positions was coordinated in partnership with the Yukon First Nation Education Directorate. The paid mentorships run from June 27 to August 19.