The Verna J Kirkness Education Foundation announced today the appointment of Laura Buller to the Foundation Board of Directors.

Laura Buller graduated in 2014 with her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Winnipeg’s Community-based Aboriginal Teacher Education Program (CATEP). She is currently a high school support teacher in the Winnipeg School Division, working in a program that builds foundational relationships with students and supports both their academic and social-emotional needs. Laura began volunteering with the foundation 3 years ago as a mentor/volunteer, spending the week with the students on campus at the University of Manitoba.

About the Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation

The Verna J Kirkness Education Foundation’s Mission is to increase the number of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students graduating from science and engineering programs in Canada.  

The Verna J. Kirkness Science and Engineering Education Program (Science and Engineering Program) offered by the Foundation addresses the under-representation of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students at Canadian universities. One of the factors contributing to this is the lack of academic role models for these students. 

The Foundation addresses this by providing an opportunity to for Indigenous grade 11 students to spend a week at a Canadian university interacting with scientists in their research laboratories. The Foundation covers the full cost of the Science and Engineering Program including travel and accommodation. During their week on campus the students have the opportunity to meet role models, learn about the support systems that are available to them on campus and experience the excitement of doing research. The Science and Engineering Program develops motivated role models who foster the importance of graduating from high school and obtaining a postsecondary education.

For information about the Foundation or to learn how you can support our programs, please contact Tony C.L. Williams, Chair of the Board of Directors tony.williams@vjkf.org