Fostering Scientific Confidence in Indigenous Youth

In the village of Kuujjuarapik, located at the confluence of the Great Whale River and Hudson Bay, two distinct Indigenous communities have coexisted for generations: the Inuit of Kuujjuarapik and the Cree of Whapmagoostui. It was here, in this remote corner of Nunavik where Indigenous languages punctuate street conversations, that the 2025 Quebec Indigenous Science Fair took place. A setting that perfectly illustrates the partnership developed over the past five years between IVADO, Quebec’s artificial intelligence consortium, and Indigenous communities.

A Logistical Challenge in Service of Inclusion

“It’s quite an undertaking to bring together these different communities, most of which don’t have connecting roads,” explains Marc Lalande, president-treasurer of the Quebec Indigenous Association for Science and Engineering (AQASI). Of Quebec’s 11 Indigenous nations, seven were represented this year, bringing together 71 participants who completed 43 projects from 22 communities. These numbers reflect the impact of the pandemic-related cancellation in 2020, which had caused great disappointment at a time when the science fair was experiencing tremendous popularity.

This distinct format reserved for the community addresses an observation that Marc Lalande has developed over his 25 science fairs with youth: “Among young people from Indigenous communities, competition works fine. When they have to compete directly with non-Indigenous students, they get discouraged. That’s why we created the Indigenous event, which has been a game-changer.”

Projects Rooted in Local Realities

The presentations by young participants often tackle questions directly related to their daily lives, creating ingenious bridges between cultural heritage and scientific approaches.

In Mistissini, teenagers conducted an in-depth study on their region’s water quality that went well beyond simple chemical analysis. They integrated environmental concerns inherited from their culture with rigorous scientific protocols, examining not only standard parameters but also potential impacts on traditional practices like fishing.

Other students revisited the traditional oil lamp (Qulliq), an emblematic cultural object of Inuit communities. Their methodical experimentation compared the performance of different fuels, from traditional animal fats to contemporary vegetable oils, precisely measuring burn time, light intensity, and residue produced.

Even more ambitious, a project from Wendake explored how generative artificial intelligence could serve cultural preservation. The young participants developed a system for creating digital content incorporating Wendat patterns, stories, and symbols for a park designed for children in their community—illustrating how cutting-edge technologies can become tools of transmission rather than homogenization.

These projects pave the way to the Pan-Canadian Science Fair, where four spots are reserved annually for Quebec’s Indigenous communities. This year, two youth from the Naskapi nation near Schefferville and two young Cree from Mistissini will make the journey. To encourage these pathways, special prizes allow winners to visit university laboratories or host researchers in their communities.

An Evolving Partnership

Guillaume Chicoisne intuitively understands these accessibility challenges. An advisor at IVADO and judge at the event for several years, he explains:

“I was raised in a French village that housed the region’s high school. My parents didn’t pursue university education, but firmly believed in the importance of learning. When you live in a community you have to leave to pursue post-secondary studies, which is the case for many Indigenous communities, it’s not easy to envision yourself in university.”

His presence doesn’t go unnoticed. “Guillaume Chicoisne’s participation is really appreciated. He connects well with the youth and serves as a mentor for participating in the Pan-Canadian Science Fair,” observes Marc Lalande.

For Guillaume Chicoisne, the stakes go beyond science.

“I think it’s important to participate to support the students, broaden their horizons, and if they don’t choose science, at least they’ll have been able to make a more informed choice, and they’ll have learned plenty along the way.”

Next year’s edition will be held in La Tuque, hosted by the Atikamekw Nation Council, continuing this geographical rotation that demonstrates the project’s vitality. Yet continuity remains fragile.

“The number of participating communities largely reflects changes in science teachers and their passion,” observes Marc Lalande.

An observation that underscores how these bridges between knowledge systems, though essential, still depend heavily on a few determined individuals committed to maintaining them.