Q: Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hey, my name is Raina, and I am a grade 10 Metis student from Winnipeg, Manitoba. I spend most of my time training and competing in volleyball and track. Last summer, I got to go to both the North American Indigenous Games and Legion Youth National Championships for track and field. Aside from training, I enjoy reading books and doing art. My two biggest passions right now are studying brain waves and looking at x-rays.  During my summers, I enjoy spending time out at my cabin because I love being out in nature, and spending time in the lake doing water activities.

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

I am excited to participate in the Shad program because of all the opportunities I will get to experience. I look forward to expanding my knowledge in STEAM and learning about entrepreneurship, as it is not something I have been exposed to much before. Not only am I thrilled to go to this program, but I am also looking forward to connecting with young students across Canada who all share the same passions that I do. The main reason I wanted to join this program was because everyone who has previously been to Shad told me how much it has changed their view of STEAM, and I cannot wait to experience it all.

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

My biggest curiosities have been sparked by STEAM because there are so many questions still needing to be answered in the sciences. One of my biggest interests is studying the brainwaves of criminals and the psychology behind it. As well as sciences, I am also fascinated by the arts, as I find images can sometimes portray more than words ever could. I feel entrepreneurship can be a gateway to solving many issues across the world, and I’m excited to explore how it relates to STEAM.

Q: How do you envision your future?

My plans for the future have changed hundreds of times, but I have always known I wanted to do something to help others. This has led me to want to excel in the medical field, but with my current passions I have also considered psychology. For now, I have lots of time to decide and just hope to live out life to the fullest and learn as much as I can about the world around me. This program will give me extra insight and the ability to apply my knowledge in whichever path I choose to pursue.

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Want to meet the other Indigenous Scholars? Read their stories