Showcasing Indigenous Knowledge from the past 20 years
Since 1998, the Quebec Aboriginal Science and Engineering Association has been organizing the Quebec Indigenous Science Fair, an event aimed at promoting science and engineering among young Indigenous Peoples attending schools in First Nations and Inuit communities in Quebec.
Quebec Indigenous Science Fair
Video transcript: Quebec Indigenous Science Fair
Text on screen: 2024 Indigenous Science Fair
Ghislain Picard; Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador
Picard: I'm really confident that the future, ours too, speaking of my generation belongs to those who follow us, who follow our path. Thank you.
Text on screen: Kiyedinaci Ottereyes-Lacache; The Sense of Scents; Kahnawake
Ottereyes-Lacache: My step-brothers have been doing it for a long time and I have just been waiting and I finally got to do it and I did it on fragrances.
Text on screen: Ciara Verreault and Rosalie Boulliane; 1,2,3 warm!; Mashteulatsh
Boulliane: Our project is: Which fur is warmer? We chose this project because we love talking about our Indigenous culture and we are always talking about nature and animals.
Text on screen: Laurie Rousseau-Nepton; Astrophysicist; Mashteulatsh
Rousseau-Nepton: In fact, it only takes a friend, a family member, a teacher to tell us "Wow, what you've done is incredible." Thank you so much to all the teachers, parents and friends.
Text on screen: Oksana Choulik; Jimmy Sandy Memorial School; Kawawachikamach
Choulik: When we first started coming down, our students they were scared. They didn't know what to do but now we have been coming down for 15 years, except for the COVID years, and it's been a big difference. It's been a positive change for our kids. They love to come down for science fair. They are excited about meeting other students, presenting their work and trying to win a prize for their community.
Text on screen: Nathan Lanière and Lèane Cleary; Sploutsh; Mashteulatsh
Lanière: Just coming here and making the trip is fun. You also get to know new people, which is even more fun. When you have free time, you can listen to other people's projects.
Samuel Gagnon: Go ahead, you get to talk about your science, about a subject, that subject that interests you. There will be people who will listen to you and enjoy it. There are lots of people to meet, go ahead, that's all I have to say.
Each year, participating students enjoy an enriching experience both academically and personally. During the 3 day event, they engage with their peers and present their projects to judges and visitors. Some participants honour their heritage by presenting projects rooted in their culture, while others delve into topics such as forest fires or artificial intelligence.
To learn more about previous editions or stay updated on the registration period, consult Quebec Indigenous Science Fair.
Browse the photos below to learn about the winning projects!
Photo gallery
Alyson Mae Einish-Tooma and Shanika-Skye Einish-Nattawappio, second prize winners in the Secondary 4 and 5 categories, and winners of the Special Health Award.
Kanonhkwine Goodleaf, first-place winner in the Secondary 2 and 3 categories.
Kiyedinaci Ottereyes-Lahache, first-prize winner in the Grade 5 category.
Clara Verreault and Rosalie Boulianne, winners in the Grade 3 and 5 categories.
The students eagerly shared their passion with visitors.
Stéphane Boucher, Co-Director and Canada Research Chair in Clinical Cyberpsychology at the Université du Québec en Outaouais, immersed young people in diverse simulated environments using virtual reality headsets.
Ghislain Picard, Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador, speaking at the closing event of the 2024 Quebec Indigenous Science Fair.
First-place winners in the Secondary 4 and 5 categories, along with representatives from ISC’s Quebec region.
The recipients of the Special Environmental Award, along with Senator Michèle Audette.
Recipient of the Special Innovation Award, joined by Ian Lafrenière, Minister Responsible for Relations with the First Nations and the Inuit.
Recipients of the Special Health Award, joined by Martine Tanguay (left), Regional Executive Director of FNIHB-QC, and Louise Tanguay (right), Coordinator, First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission.