- Abbie MacDonald - Cassandra Reid

- Dr. Alex J. Veinot - Dr. Nola Etkin

Results from the 2016 Statistics Canada Census indicate that Canada remains a leader in education among developed countries. On average, 86 % of Canadians aged 24-65 obtain a high-school diploma or higher and 28.5 % hold at least a Bachelor’s degree. However, In the same age category just 65 % of Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) hold a high-school credentials and only 10 % have at least a Bachelor’s degree. Although Indigenous peoples are clearly underrepresented in higher education, the Atlantic region has made great efforts to address the barriers faced by Indigenous scholars. The results speak for themselves. Atlantic Canada has the highest percentage of Indigenous students attending university across Canada, and Nova Scotia ranks first in the country forIndigenous education with a high-school completion rate of 87 %. In Nova Scotia, 17 % of Indigenous students obtain at least a Bachelor’s degree, much higher than the national average. Significant investments in education and collaboration between the numerous Indigenous communities (13) and public universities (10) are contributing factors to Nova Scotia’s success in advancing Indigenous scholarship. The Mi'kmaq are a First Nations people that are indigenous to Canada's Atlantic Provinces, parts of Québec, and northeastern regions of Maine (traditionally named Miꞌkmaꞌki). For the Mi’kmaq, the art of storytelling was essential to share information and to learn. As a Mi’kmaw and first-generation university student from rural Nova Scotia, I will share my story and journey with chemistry, and some of the notable lessons gained along the way.