Hosting Indigenous youth

Last summer, nine high school students from a local Indigenous community had the opportunity to immerse themselves in university life as part of a summer camp hosted by Smith.

Ignite Your Future was a four-day immersive experience that saw students from the Mohawk territory of Akwesasne explore opportunities available at Smith and Queen’s. The program was co-ordinated by the Smith Commerce program in conjunction with Smith’s Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Social Impact (CSI), the Queen’s Enrichment Studies Unit, and Akwesasne Career & Employment Support Services.

Guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the camp was designed to strengthen Smith’s relationships with local Indigenous communities and to show students the career opportunities available with an education in business and other fields of study.

Past years have seen Indigenous students participate in one-day camps at Queen’s; this year’s iteration came about from participant feedback expressing a desire for a more in-depth look at university life.

Students stayed in residence throughout the four days and participated in lectures at Smith, daily lunch at Leonard Hall, a simulated business pitch competition, and a visit to Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre on campus. Several Queen’s faculties also came together to host a faculty fair that provided students with information on the range of programs and support services available at Queen’s.

Maddy Spriet, an equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenization intern working at the CSI and assisting with the camp, said participants enjoyed the opportunity to experience campus life. “Just walking to and from class, eating in the dining hall and seeing other students around made them feel like a true part of the university community.”