UNB, Ulnooweg Education Centre, JEDI launch Digital Acceleration for Indigenous Youth with $5.2M from ELEV

The University of New Brunswick’s McKenna Institute, the Ulnooweg Education Centre, and the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) have launched the Digital Acceleration for Indigenous Youth initiative. The three-year initiative, supported by $5.2M from the Mastercard Foundation’s EleV Program, will teach Indigenous youth in Atlantic Canada the STEAM skills they need to pursue postsecondary studies. The program will use a mobile technology unit to bring educators and tools to Indigenous communities. Through these mobile units, students will learn about the entry points to STEAM careers in areas such as fabrication, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and robotics through hands-on learning. “A central focus of Ulnooweg’s activities is connecting Indigenous youth with STEAM education through hands-on programs and initiatives,” according to Christopher Googoo, Chief Operating Officer at Ulnooweg. “As a result of this training, Indigenous youth will have access and knowledge of potential jobs and skills to consider STEAM pathways that can benefit community growth and prosperity.”