THUNDER BAY — Seven female students with ties to Northwestern Ontario received money towards their education with relation to mining, the most scolarships ever given out through the program.
Every year Women in Mining Northwestern Ontario (WIMNWO) gives out scholarships to female students, through fundraising and its annual barbecue.
“This year we're giving out a record breaking $21,000 to seven different students, and we're really excited about it. It started out as a $1,000 dollars scholarship, and now we have seven $3,000 scholarships, so it's pretty exciting,” said Tracy Kitchkeesick, chair for Women in Mining Northwestern Ontario.
Kitchkeesick said applicants are selected based on interest in mining and ties to Northwestern Ontario.
The thought of alleviating some stress for these students’ brought tears of joy to Kitchkeesick’s eyes.
“I've been in a position as a student where it would have made a big difference. As a woman in mining, all the schooling that goes along with it and how difficult it can be sometimes to establish funding for school, it's nice to be able to help out,” she said.
The seven recipients this year are Megan Mason, Kiara Amor, Harshi Dave, Meghna Gosai, Brooke Miller, Amy Brush and Destiny Eissner.
Mason is a geology student at Lakehead University, expected to graduate in 2028.
“I'm feeling very honoured and I'm feeling very excited for my future in geology. I want to get into exploration, but I'm keeping my options open right now and I want to see where my path takes me,” Mason said.
Amor is studying Environmental Technician at Confederation College, with an expected graduation date in April 2025.
“The scholarship is really going to help with my fees. Once I graduate this summer, I'm planning to work in a mining company or even as an environmental technician. I'm also looking forward to work as a geologist, it depends where the open doors are,” Amor said.
Dave is a chemical engineering student at Lakehead University, expected to graduate in 2028.
“I'm feeling really happy. I think this is a huge moment for me and I'm really happy for this achievement, I know that there's many more to come after this, I'm hoping for the best in my future.
“I’m exploring different fields and wherever I get a work opportunity, trying to understand how different environments are and then once I'm in my last year, I'll make a full decision then, but I'm just taking it one step at a time as of now,” Dave said.
Gosai is a geology student at Lakehead University, expected to graduate in 2027
“I really appreciate this money because I am struggling a bit now. I really like representing women in mining, especially since I didn't realize there was a whole geology industry. Learning it is really something I enjoy and I'm also representing women so I love it. I love rocks,” Gosasi said
Brooke Miller is a geology student at Lakehead University, expected to graduate in 2027.
“I'm so happy to see so many other women in the industry. Recently, in my classes and at conferences, I've seen so many more women than I was expecting. I'm really excited that this is becoming less male dominated, and I'm really happy that scholarships like this exist so that more women can be involved.
“I definitely want to go into exploration. I love being outside, but after I graduate, before I get into anything too serious, I'm definitely going to go for my master's. Maybe my PhD, we’ll figure it out when we get there. I want people to call me Dr. Rock,” Miller said.
Main sponsors for 2025 include Manroc Developments Inc., Barrick Gold Corporation, Barrick Hemlo, Amalgamated Mining Group, Orla Mining – Musselwhite Mine (formerly owned by Newmont) and Impala Canada.
WIMNWO holds a fundraising barbecue each year that will take place in June.
DP Diamond Blades, Greenstone Gold Mines, Abitibi Geophysics, Taranis Contracting Group and Taranis Training, Outland Youth Employment Program and Thunder Gold Corp. sponsored the 2024 barbecue.
