I-STEAM Pathways: Environmental Education Program for Indigenous Students

Enabling First Nations, Métis or Inuit undergraduate students to gain research experience in environmental fields including science, environmental engineering, environmental law and policy.

I-STEAM Pathways: Environmental Research Internships for Indigenous Students

Providing hands-on research experience for First Nations, Métis and Inuit undergraduate students in environmentally-related fields including science, engineering, environmental law, policy, and planetary health.

Fostering systemic change through culturally appropriate incorporation of Indigenous knowledge and values in environmental policy and planning.

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About

Summer 2025

Summer 2025 saw 19 out of 49 Indigenous undergrad student applicants complete the 4 month summer internship program. They came from 13 communities including from across Alberta, Manitoba, and the North, including Athabasca Chipewyan, Big River, Driftpile, K’atlodeeche, Saddle Lake, Berens River, Whitefish Lake, Beaver, and Samson Cree First Nations, as well as Cambridge Bay (Ikaluktutiak), Rankin Inlet (Nunavut), McMurray Métis, and Métis Nation of Alberta.

Their research projects spanned climate change, water, wildfire, and innovation, their mentors showed them that they too can do research, and they became an amazing community. Here are some snippets from their journey!

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Project submissions

Professors and researchers from University of Alberta and its partners provide mentorship and project supervision for I-STEAM Pathways internships.

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Internship applications

All First Nations, Métis and Inuit undergraduate students attending a Canadian post-secondary institution are eligible to apply. Applications for the Summer 2027 internship program will open here in November 2026.

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Partners, Sponsors, Giving

Our partnership with the National Research Council, Canada, provides exciting research opportunities for I-STEAM Pathways not only in Alberta but also beyond. Their support also extends our professional development training for interns as well as researchers.

The program relies heavily on public and private sponsors to financially support our indigenous interns and scale the program. Learn more about how you can donate.

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Testimonials

In my I-STEAM Pathways internship, I had the opportunity to work in Dr. Maya Evenden’s lab. This lab introduced me to the world of insects in managed ecosystems which has become my research passion. I got to do field and lab work with Mountain Pine Beetle that has now set me up for a Master’s position in a different insect lab at the University of Alberta. I plan on using the traditional knowledge from workshops throughout my internship to guide how I do my research in grad school and after.

Alexis Blanchette-Arnold, Skidegate FN, 2021 intern

My I-Steam experience has been a crucial part for me to even consider a future career in graduate school. I worked under Dr. Maya Bhatia and Dr. Suzanne Tank on a Master’s student’s project with the Canadian Mountain Network studying glacier carbon impact to the biological community in glacial streams. I have finished my undergraduate degree in Environmental Science at Mount Royal University and am highly considering a Masters at University of Alberta or University of Calgary. Without the experience I had in I-Steam, I would have never thought of going to graduate school.

Sam Metacat-yah, Dene Tha’ First Nation, 2022 intern

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