Honouring the contributions of Mihskakwan James Harper

Clean energy visionary and Indigenous mentor

June 15, 2023 —

National Indigenous Peoples Day and National Indigenous History Month celebrate the history, culture, traditions and contributions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples across all of Turtle Island. One of the extraordinary young alumni we are honouring for his contributions and successes is Mihskakwan James Harper, who will receive UM’s Distinguished Alumni Award for Outstanding Young Alumni for 2023.

A proud citizen of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation on Treaty 8 territory, Mihskakwan James Harper [BSc(ME)/17] is passionate about creating a world that future generations can enjoy.

While studying engineering at the University of Manitoba, Harper served on the student council for the Engineering Access Program (ENGAP), which supports Indigenous engineering students, and built an energy-efficient car that competed in the International Shell Eco-marathon Americas.

Since graduating, Harper has shared his knowledge about clean energy at international conferences, including the United Nations Climate Conferences COP 26 and COP 27. He credits his innate drive to protect the earth to his cultural values.

Harper further honours his Indigenous identity by giving back. He has lectured on decolonizing engineering, mentored Indigenous youth relocating to Winnipeg for education, and presented a national policy resolution addressing the Indigenous youth suicide crisis.

Read more about Mihskakwan James Harper and his story here.

Looking for more stories about exceptional Indigenous community members? Meet Two-Spirit Métis Elder Charlotte Nolin, and learn about the Indigenous women empowering each other through traditional birth support.

UM TODAY STAFF

#UMAlumni, #UMIndigenous, Advancing Reconciliation and Promoting Indigenous Achievement, National Indigenous Peoples Day, Taking on Climate Change, umcommunity

Learning about land and place

Offered by Community Engaged Learning, the Land and Water program at UM brings together students, community members, knowledge carriers and Elders for immersive urban land-based experiences. Using a decolonizing approach to education, it provides the opportunity for participants to learn about Indigenous Peoples’ enduring relationships with land and place.

Annual Traditional Graduation Pow Wow to celebrate 35th year

Every year, the University of Manitoba and broader communities gather at the Fort Garry campus to celebrate Indigenous graduates at the Annual Traditional Graduation Pow Wow. While the faces may change from year to year, one thing remains the same: the sense of excitement in the air.

Introducing Residential Schools 101

As the community engagement and education program coordinator at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR), Sandra Bender has seen a growing demand for presentations on the topic. As a result, the NCTR team is now offering free monthly Residential School History and Legacy 101 webinars on an ongoing basis.