This past summer, Indspire brought together 21 Indigenous students from across Canada for a unique 6-week program in Montreal. These students, all with a keen interest or academic focus in Artificial Intelligence, participated in a specialized program led by Mila, the Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute.
Indigenous Pathfinders in AI program was intentionally designed to weave in Indigenous ways and practices. It wasn’t just about cutting-edge AI; it was about learning in a way that resonated with Indigenous perspectives and knowledge systems.
Mick Elliott-Keewatin, one of the program’s 2025 graduates, shared his journey and insights from this incredible experience. You can read his first blog post about it below:
When the 2025 Pathfinders call for applications at Mila came from Indspire, it was a program that immediately caught my attention. The program had a mission: to inspire Indigenous talent to learn, develop, and lead the evolution of artificial intelligence.
As a proud two-spirited Okanese First Nation citizen, it is important that my work helps our people reach for a better socioeconomic condition. As the inaugural Indigenous PhD student at the Haskayne School of Business, I am convinced that education—speaking from experience—is fundamental to transforming the Indigenous experience. I was left wondering—would AI complement or distract me from my studies focused on the institutional experience of Indigenous peoples and the paradoxes within?
The program potential resonated with me. AI is advancing at an unprecedented pace, shaping the future of diverse industries and influencing global socioeconomic landscapes. As this transformative technology continues to evolve, it is imperative that Indigenous voices, perspectives, Knowledges, and talent actively contribute to its development.
I decided to apply.
When I was accepted into the program, it wasn’t an easy decision to accept or decline. Contemplating seven weeks away from my family, community, and ongoing doctoral studies was no small decision. However, the program would bring together 21 Indigenous collaborators to explore AI. This wasn’t just another tech program. It was an enriching summer experience designed to offer collaborators an opportunity to explore the world of AI through Indigenous approaches and perspectives.
What excited me about the Pathfinders program was the dynamics—a group of Indigenous peoples exploring and working through how Indigenous communities understand technology and Knowledge. Through a series of workshops, activities, and collaborative projects, we would delve deeper into AI, emphasizing Indigenous approaches, perspectives, and community insights.
I’ve come to realize that AI isn’t just a neutral tool—it is a tool of colonization. Like any technology, it carries the perspectives of those who create it—predominantly privileged white males. This means the technology often misses the rich, complex ways that Indigenous communities understand the world.
Indigenous Knowledge is different from how most tech companies think about data or information. For us, Knowledge isn’t just data to be collected and analyzed.
It’s alive.
It’s relational.
It connects to the land, to our communities, to our history.
An algorithm might see a forest as a collection of trees, coordinates, and biomass. We see it as a living system, with its own spirit, its own stories, its own relationships.
This program is about more than acquiring new skills. It is about building bridges between traditional Knowledge and cutting-edge technology, between individual aspiration and collective Indigenous innovation. We’re not here to be passive observers. We’re here to explore, learn, and potentially transform AI to be more inclusive.
In my heart, I know this is more than just a summer program. I’m not simply participating—I’m contributing to a critical movement that reimagines technology through an Indigenous lens. Our perspectives are not peripheral. They are central to technological advancement.
J’adore Montréal! This helped with the decision too. The food. The festivals. The walkability. The adventure. An opportunity to learn and shape the future of our peoples…and get the red-carpet treatment. What was I waiting for…yes, yes of course…Pathfinders…here I come!
Read the second part of Mick’s journey here
