Corey Gray

Saturday Supper Keynote

BS, Dual Degrees in Physics and Applied Mathematics (1997). Corey Gray is a member of Siksika Nation and the lead operator at LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory) Hanford Observatory, and part of the group of researchers that confirmed the existence of gravitational waves. He now manages the operator team for the detector in Washington that discovered the existence of gravitational waves produced by two colliding black holes. The finding supports Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity and is considered one of the greatest scientific discoveries of the century, earning the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2017.

Disa Crow Chief

Saturday Lunch Keynote

Disa Crow Chief is 20 years old, from Siksika Nation, one of four Blackfoot tribes that make up the Blackfoot Confederacy. Disa is passionate about traveling, learning, and advocating for environmental rights to benefit her people and Canada as a whole. As well as expressing her cultural identity, Disa strives to get involved and educated on both sides of the argument around renewable energy in order to move forward and get projects started in her community.

Cory Beaver

Friday Supper Keynote

Cory Beaver was born and raised in the Bow Valley region of Alberta. Cory is a proud member of the Stoney Nakoda First Nation in Morley, Alberta. He is currently a student at Mount Royal University with prospects of pursuing a degree in Business and Marketing. He has started doing work in raising awareness about climate change, learning about sustainability and energy, and the energy transition. Cory has a strong passion to advocate for youth and Indigenous people, and seeks to inspire, empower and engage more First Nations people in the hopes that it will enable them to pursue education to achieve goals and dreams.

Randy Herrmann

Friday Lunch Keynote

Randy Herrmann is the Director of the Engineering Access Program at the University of Manitoba. Herrmann applied the skills he learned in university at a consulting engineering firm, but was soon working as the Technical Services Advisor for the Ogemawahj Tribal Council. He later became a Project Manager for the Rama First Nation, where he directed the construction of many community buildings including the arena/recreational complex, seniors’ complex, school, strip mall and new Band Council office. What struck him most from his work with First Nations communities and within the field of engineering is the lack of Aboriginal engineers. His desire to help change the situation and make it easier for Aboriginal students to pursue post-secondary professional science degrees led him back to the University of Manitoba and his position of Director of ENGAP. Founded in 1985, The Engineering Aboriginal Access Program at the University of Manitoba (ENGAP) is the most successful program of its kind in Canada, providing guidance to Indigenous peoples pursuing a degree in Engineering.

The U of S is a member of the U15, a group of the top Canadian research universities.

Our main campus, located in the heart of Saskatoon, is home to programs ranging from business, law, and arts and science to engineering, medicine and veterinary medicine, along with many others. Study at the U of S is enhanced by our world-class facilities, including the Canadian Light Source synchrotron, VIDO-InterVac, the Global Institute for Food Security, the Global Institute for Water Security and the Sylvia Fedoruk Centre for Nuclear Innovation. 

With the option to study at locations across Saskatchewan, more than 23,000 people from around the world, including more than 2,600 self-declared Indigenous students, study at the U of S, and our more than 150,000 alumni are spread across the globe. 

U of S services and attractions

Office of the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement

College of Arts & Science, Indigenous

The conference takes place at the University of Saskatchewan, located in Saskatoon. The city ranked 18th on the New York Times 52 Places to Visit in 2018 list, and is the only Canadian city to make it on the list.   

With a rising population of more than 250,000, Saskatoon offers many of the amenities of a large urban centre along with the friendliness and accessibility of a smaller city. There is plenty to do in Saskatoon every season, with live music events, festivals and cultural experiences offered year round. With its vibrant mix of many cultures, Saskatoon’s blossoming culinary and local shopping scenes also stand out. This is a place of opportunity, diversity and innovation. Explore this exciting destination on the Saskatoon Tourism website. 

The city’s youthful vitality and cultural richness are evident in every neighbourhood, thanks in part to the University of Saskatchewan. 

On (or near) campus

• Tim Hortons: Marquis, Arts Tunnel, Geology (full menu not available) $
• Starbucks $$
• Choices $$
• Marquis Culinary Centre $$
• Subway $
• Art's Cafe $ 
• Louis' Loft $$

Off campus

• Alexander's Restaurant (near campus) $$
• Ayden $$$$
• Taverna Italian Kitchen $$$
• Odd Couple $$$
• Las Palapas Resort Grill $$
• Bon Temps Cafe $$
• Odla $$$
• Leyda's $$$
• Hometown Diner $$

Canadian Indigenous Advisory Council (CIAC) to AISES

Website / Email

Canadian Indigenous Science and Engineering Society (.caISES)

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)

Website / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / Instagram