Kenits�nhaienhs attend Space4Women Expert Meeting

11/02/2023

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that Kenits�nhaienhs Jessica Lazare and Tonya Perron will be speaking at the 2023 United Nations (UN)/Canada Space for Women Expert Meeting (Space4Women) today.

Organized by the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs and the Canadian Space Agency, Space4Women is running from October 30 to November 2, 2023. The event encourages women and girls to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education and careers, also known as STEM, and to promote gender equality and women�s empowerment in these areas both in the education system and the workforce.

Participating as keynote speakers, both will be speaking about the challenges of having a Kanien�keh�:ka cultural lens in educational and professional spaces that are rooted in colonial ideals. They will be sharing from their experiences as Indigenous women in leadership positions.

�It�s great to be participating in such a worthwhile event,� said Perron. �Allowing space for women to pursue STEM education is important, as many present and future career opportunities have their bases in STEM, in particular the space sector.�

�It�s an honor to be selected as a keynote speaker at this event,� added Lazare. �We�re so fortunate to have many women in leadership positions in this community, it�s important to share and set the example. Gender equality is crucial to socio-economic well-being, and it�s important to acknowledge the gifts that all people can bring into these forums.�

Gender Equality is one of seventeen (17) goals adopted by the UN Member States in 2015, under its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.