De Beers Group has announced the recipients of its 2024 scholarships for Indigenous women pursuing studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at Canadian colleges and universities. This year, three women from the Northwest Territories—Aubrey Sluggett, Symone Berube, and Madison Menacho-Melnyk—were selected from nearly 600 applicants to each receive a $4,500 scholarship.
Supporting Indigenous Women in STEM
The De Beers Group scholarship programme supports Indigenous women entering STEM fields by offering financial assistance to first-year students. Recipients are chosen based on their academic goals, achievements, and community involvement.
Nompumelelo (Mpumi) Zikalala, Managing Director for De Beers Group Managed Operations, emphasised the programme’s role in fostering inclusion and diversity in STEM fields:
“We are proud to support these exceptional women as they embark on their academic journeys. The future of STEM will benefit from diverse voices and perspectives, and we are committed to making a meaningful contribution to this progress.”
Meet the Scholarship Recipients
Aubrey Sluggett
Hailing from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Aubrey is pursuing an honours health science degree at the University of Waterloo. Aspiring to become a medical doctor, she values the opportunities provided by the university’s co-op programme and plans to continue her education in medical school after completing her undergraduate studies.
Aubrey shared her appreciation for the scholarship and its role in motivating her educational journey:
“Receiving the scholarship is really meaningful in motivating me to continue with my educational journey, as I have years left of school ahead. I hope that receiving this scholarship will encourage other girls in STEM to explore their futures.”
She also encouraged future applicants to be authentic in their applications and emphasised the importance of community involvement.
Symone Berube
Originally from Fort Smith but raised in Yellowknife, Symone is currently studying neuroscience at York University in Toronto, with a focus on behavioural and cognitive neuroscience. She aims to return to the North after her studies to provide educational resources and inspiration to youth in her community.
Symone spoke about the value of representation in STEM and the importance of support for Indigenous women:
“As an Indigenous woman in STEM, I feel extremely grateful to be supported. I want to inspire other young Indigenous women and see more of us in the STEM field.” She also thanked De Beers Group for their recognition:
“This support greatly helps in making us feel seen and supported, and for that I thank you.”
Madison Menacho-Melnyk
Madison, from a small town in the Northwest Territories, is studying environment and conservational sciences at Yukon University. With a diploma in environment and natural resources technology from Aurora College already under her belt, she plans to work in fire management, particularly within forestry and wildfire prevention in the North.
Madison explained how the scholarship eased financial challenges as she prepared for her second semester:
“The news came at a time when I was in great financial need, and with this, I’ll now be able to comfortably head into my second semester.”
She encouraged others to seize opportunities like this scholarship, saying, “Take the chance! You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
Implications for the Jewellery Industry
The scholarship programme reflects an increasing focus within the jewellery industry on community engagement and social responsibility. Initiatives supporting education among underrepresented groups contribute to stronger community relationships and broader development efforts.
This initiative serves as an example for jewellers and related businesses to support education and community development, which can also enhance corporate reputation.
Looking Ahead
With nearly 600 applicants for the 2024 programme, the growing interest in scholarships for Indigenous women in STEM highlights the demand for similar initiatives. As these recipients pursue their goals, their stories are likely to inspire future applicants and underscore the transformative potential of targeted educational support.
For the jewellery sector, similar initiatives can align corporate social responsibility with community empowerment, promoting inclusivity in fields where Indigenous voices and women are underrepresented.
