Students UAlberta Society and Culture

Introducing the Indigenous in STEM Students Association

Student group aims to create welcoming space for Indigenous students in STEM fields across campus

Donna McKinnon - 12 September 2024

One of the newest student groups at the University of Alberta is the Indigenous in STEM Students Association (ISSA), which aims to establish an environment where Indigenous STEM students can confidently know that their needs are being acknowledged and addressed in a welcoming space. ISSA’s faculty advisor in engineering is Chelsea Benally, assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, with plans to add advisors in science and ALES as soon as possible.  


ISSA’s mission includes:

  1. The cultivation of a sense of community and mentorship among club members. 
  2. The provision of resources to facilitate engagement in leadership endeavours. 
  3. The promotion of encouragement for prospective students. 
  4. The establishment of a platform for student tutoring. 
  5. The facilitation of peer support to empower success.

Kyla Fald, a third year BSc student in Mechanical Engineering (Co-op program),  is a founding member of ISSA and now serves as Vice-President (Engineering).  


As a founding member of ISSA, what are you most proud of so far?

I’m the most proud of the community we’ve managed to build — even before we were officially a group. Helping to start this club has made me realize how significant the need is for Indigenous spaces and communities to be established in STEM areas.

What are you most looking forward to for the ISSA this year?

I’m looking forward to being able to plan and host our first professional and social events as an official group! As an executive, these events are not only opportunities to help my fellow students, but also chances to meet and learn from Indigenous engineering students from all parts of Turtle Island. 


How can engineering students get involved? 

If students are interested in getting involved, I would encourage them to join our discord to learn more about our upcoming meetings and social events! E-mail issauofa@ualberta.ca to learn more! 


Other engineering students on the ISSA Executive are James Tatum, VP Graduate and PhD student in Chemical and Materials Engineering, Riley Whitford, VP Finance and Computer Engineering undergraduate student and Jordan Eleniak, Co-President and Computer Engineering undergraduate student.


Learn more at: https://www.essualberta.ca/studentgroups/indigenous-in-stem-students-association-issa