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Northwest Territories, Canada—Five students from Canada's Northwest Territories have been chosen to receive scholarships from Diamonds Do Good. The program is the result of a partnership that started in 2018 between between Diamonds Do Good and the Mine Training Society (see link here). The Mine Training Society connects Northerners with careers in the mining industry, working with key partners in the mining sector, Indigenous governments, and organizations, and federal and territorial governments of Canada. Image: Trisa Ngo of Yellowknife, one of the scholarship recipients.

The scholarships were established by the international Diamonds Do Good organization to support youth living in the region of the NWT diamond mines, to pursue either trades training or post-secondary education in business, management, STEM, health care, or mental health fields. Nancy Orem Lyman, executive director of Diamonds Do Good, says, “We are supported by the natural diamond industry to give back to the very areas where natural diamonds are found. We are thrilled to have identified young scholarship recipients who exemplify our mission.”   

The Mine Training Society led the selection of candidates. The following five youth were selected to be the 2021 recipients of the Diamonds Do Good Scholarships, each worth $5,000:

Devin Catholique, Lutsel K’e, NT, a 19-year-old Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation member who is currently enrolled in a Heavy Equipment Operator training program with Aurora College and hopes to begin a meaningful career in the NWT diamond mine industry when he graduates.

Lindsey Mailloux, Yellowknife, NT, a 21-year-old nursing student in her third year at Aurora College. She looks forward to working as a nurse in northern communities, mine sites, and correctional complexes. After working to gain experience as a Registered Nurse, she hopes to continue her education and become a Nurse Practitioner.

Trevor Marlowe, Lutsel K’e, a 30-year-old Lutsel K’e resident who developed a passion for computers at a very young age and is currently enrolled at the University of Lethbridge in its Computer Science, Bachelor of Science program. His goal is to provide training and seminars to local community members in Lutsel K’e with the hope of sparking joy in others to learn more about problem solving and modern career options available to them.

Trisa Ngo, Yellowknife, a 24-year-old who recently completed her Bachelor of Science Degree with a specialization in Earth Sciences and a minor in Canadian and Indigenous Studies at Carleton University. She is currently enrolled in Queen’s University’s Certificate in Mining Technologies Program, and has recently been approved as a member of NAPEG as a Geologist in Training. Her long-term goal is to achieve professional designation as a Professional Geoscientist and work for the betterment of the North and the northern economy.

Courtney Vital, Deline, NT, a 28-year-old graduate of the Bachelor of Child Studies program with a major in Early Learning and Child Care from Mount Royal University. She has been accepted in to the Addictions Counselling program at the University of Lethbridge. Courtney plans to use her education and training to improve the health of her community by establishing a cultural healing camp in Deline.