Good Roots, bright futures

When Grade 7 and 8 students from Indigenous communities across Ontario and Quebec arrived at Queen’s University in May, many were nervous. Some had never visited a university campus. Some had never travelled so far from home. And some were too shy to introduce themselves to a room full of strangers.

Five days later, those same students were cheering each other on.

That transformation is at the heart of Good Roots, a week-long STEM enrichment program at Queen’s University supported by Imperial. The program introduces Indigenous youth to science, technology, engineering, math, health sciences and environmental studies through hands-on learning while helping them build confidence, community and a sense of belonging.

This year, 59 students and 16 educators and chaperones from five Indigenous communities participated in three separate week-long sessions on campus. Students explored coding and robotics, built engineering design projects, conducted environmental science fieldwork, visited museums and learned about sports medicine and injury recovery from university specialists.

But according to program leaders, some of the most meaningful learning happened between activities.

“We create a culturally safe environment where students can be themselves,” says Melanie Howard, Director of Indigenous Futures in Engineering. “Even though they come from different communities, languages and traditions, there is a shared understanding of what it means to be Indigenous. They see Indigenous university students, Indigenous staff and Indigenous role models around them, and they realize there is a place for them here.”

Throughout the week, students met Indigenous post-secondary students studying fields such as biotechnology, kinesiology, mathematics, medicine and computer science. These near-peer mentors shared their experiences and helped participants envision their own futures.

“The hope is that students can see themselves in these role models,” says Melanie. “When they meet someone who comes from a community like theirs and is studying medicine, engineering or computer science, those careers suddenly feel possible.”

Good Roots is the entry point to the broader First Nations STEM Futures Academy, a long-term initiative that supports Indigenous students throughout high school with mentorship, academic preparation and STEM programming. The vision is to help students stay connected, keep doors open and pursue post-secondary opportunities that align with their interests and goals.

As Kayla Ford, Program Lead, First Nations STEM Futures Academy, describes it: “Good Roots sparks the fire, and the Academy helps keep that fire burning.”

Imperial’s support plays a critical role in making that possible. Funding covers travel, accommodations, and meals, ensuring participation is free for students and schools. For some communities, the distance to Queen’s is significant. One group travelled more than 2,200 kilometres to attend.

“There is no way some of these communities could participate without this support,” says Kayla. “Removing those barriers means more students can access opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t be possible.”

Check out some footage from the camps here.