Engineers Canada hosted a webinar to showcase its newly published Guideline on Indigenous Consultation and Engagement. The guideline intends to promote meaningful engagement between engineers and Indigenous communities when it comes to engineering work.
From 12:00-1:30 pm ET on October 4, 2023 the engineering community gathered for a virtual session on, Empowering Indigenous voices in engineering: Guidance for meaningful consultation and engagement.
The session covered:
• Contextual background on Indigenous consultation and engagement
• An overview of the guideline and its development
• Implementing practices within the guideline
• Hopes for the broader impact of the guideline
The webinar was moderated by Ryan Melsom, Manager, Qualifications and Canadian Engineering Qualifications Board Secretary at Engineers Canada.
Recording
Speakers
Connor Scheu, P.Eng.
Connor Scheu is a renewable energy engineer with experience in energy transition and international development projects across six continents.
Scheu is also a Metis engineer, a member of Engineers Canada’s Indigenous Advisory Committee, and a member of the APEGA Women in Engineering Advisory Group. Scheu is a passionate champion of ally-ship and intersectionality within professional inclusion initiatives. His hope is to help engineers take a leadership role and leverage their ethic of societal service to advance Canada's journey of reconciliation.
In his free time, Scheu can be found teaching karate to youth and families at the local community center or hiking with his dogs in the mountains.
Danilo Caron, EIT
Danilo Caron is a PhD student in Civil Engineering and project engineer with Urban Systems Ltd. Born and raised in Kamloops, he is of mixed Italian and Anishinaabe heritage with ties to Castelfranco Veneto Italy and Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation in Ontario. Danilo combines his construction background and applied science education to his project and construction management research. His research focuses on project delivery methods, their ability to incorporate Indigenous perspectives, and ways the engineering industry can advance reconciliation in the broader Canadian society.
Elder Norman Meade
Elder Norman Meade was born in Bissett, Manitoba, and raised in Manigotagan. He currently lives in Winnipeg and works part-time as an Elder in Residence at the University of Manitoba. Outside of this work, Elder Norman serves as an ordained Anglican minster. He enjoys curling in the winter months and doing handyman work around his homes.
Gayle Frank, BA
Meet Gayle, a highly experienced Senior Advisor for Indigenous Relations and Truth and Reconciliation, with a rich background of 25 years working closely with Indigenous communities. As a proud St’at’imc woman, Frank is deeply passionate about Indigenous culture and language, infusing them into her projects to ensure they are respected and recognized. Currently leading Urban System’s Truth and Reconciliation practice, Frank plays a crucial role in supporting governments and corporations to build authentic relationships and develop comprehensive reconciliation action plans, principles, and guidelines. Frank’s expertise shines in facilitating impactful dialogues through talking circles, fire side chats, open houses, and presentations to leadership. Her knowledge extends to community planning, from crafting culturally relevant curriculum development to conducting housing needs assessments and land use plans. Her extensive experience, unwavering passion, and profound, make her a valuable asset for any organization seeking to engage with Indigenous communities, promote reconciliation, and foster lasting positive change.
Samer Inchasi, MBA, P.Eng., FEC
Samer Inchasi, MBA, P.Eng., FEC is a Professional Engineer in Ontario and is the Director, Roads & Works Operations at the Town of Oakville in Ontario. He has been an active volunteer throughout his career who served on Professional Engineers Ontario’s Education Committee and on a wide variety of committees and task forces for over 20 years. He is currently the Vice Chair of the Canadian Engineering Qualifications Board (CEQB) and Chair of the Practice Committee.
