About this page – The purpose of this page is to acknowledge and recognize Indigenous people who tackled and succeeded in STEM disciplines and act as motivational and inspirational figures to students who wish to involve themselves in similar studies. If you would like to contribute to this collection, please send email your suggestions to editor-iyi1@wisenl.ca.


Indigenous Influencers

Lillian Eva Dyck – Cree, Neuroscientist, Senator

“We are all anxious to move forward on this issue and work towards eliminating discrimmination against women and their descendants in the Indian Act.”

– senator lillian eva dyck

Lilian Eva Quan was born August 24, 1945, and performed duties as a senator representing Saskatchewan in Canada. She is the very first female senator from the First Nations community, as well as the first senator of Chinese descent born in Canada. She is a first-generation Chinese Canadian who is a member of the Cree Gordon First Nation in Saskatchewan.

For more information visit on Lillian:
From ‘Café Daughter’ to senator: The story of Lillian Eva Dyck takes the stage at the NAC“. Senate of Canada. June 16, 2017


Mary G. Ross – Cherokee, Engineer

“Perfection can be achieved by no one, because perfection is achieved from faults—yet faults tear away the perfection in you.”

– Mary G. Ross

Mary Golda Ross (August 9, 1908 – April 29, 2008) was the first Native American female engineer, as well as the first female engineer in Lockheed’s history. She was one of the 40 pioneering engineers of Lockheed Corporation’s famed and highly classified Skunk Works project.

For more information on Mary visit:
“Mary G. Ross’ 110th Birthday”. Google Doodle. August 9, 2018.
Mary G. Ross blazed a trail in the sky as a woman engineer in the space race, celebrated museum“. The National Museum of the American Indian. October 07, 2009.


Brian Pottle – Inuit, Engineer


Dr. Nadine Caron – General Endocrine Surgeon, Associate professor 


Dr. James Makokis – Cree, Family Physician