Q: Tell us a bit about yourself.

Aanii! Hi there! My name is Ada Speck and I am 16 years old in grade 11 at Korah Collegiate and Vocational School located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. I am proud to be Ojibway and from Wiikwemkoong First Nation. I consider myself an urban Indigenous person because I didn’t grow up on-reserve, but instead lived in many towns in Ontario. My family relocated several times and I have attended six different schools. I currently work at the YMCA as a lifeguard. I absolutely love swimming and being able to help people. I have always been very interested in STEAM, especially math and science. I am particularly interested in environmental sciences and the one health approach that recognizes that all things are interconnected.

Q: Why do you want to participate in the Shad program/ What are you most looking forward to?

I am so excited to have the opportunity to participate in this program because I am drawn to new experiences where I can learn, especially as to what other opportunities are possible. I am also looking forward to getting to go through this transformative program, and I hope this will give me better insight into my passions and what opportunities exist! I also love meeting new people and to be surrounded by other youth who have similar interests as I do! I have never participated in a program like this before, so I am not sure really what to expect but I am excited for the opportunity to learn more about STEAM and entrepreneurship.

Q: What motivates or sparks your curiosity in STEAM and/or entrepreneurship?   

My curiosity in STEAM stems from my hunger to learn as much as I can. I am so intrigued by the “whys” in life and I hope that I can one day help to answer some of them and help others using that knowledge. There are so many opportunities in STEAM, and multiple creative pathways that ignite a fire within me.

Q: How do you envision your future?

Currently I am unsure of what I want to do with my future. I have always known that I want to use my skills to help the people around me. I want to do something in the field of science or math because I am passionate about each and excel in both areas. I have been intrigued by psychiatry, medicine, marine biology, math education, and one health, but I am not sure what my future holds which is scary and exciting at the same time.

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Want to meet the other Indigenous Scholars? Read their stories