Announcing the 2020 Northern Futures Scholarship winners

We’re helping northern stars shine brighter with our Northern Futures Scholarship program. Each year, Northwestel gives six $4000.00 scholarships to students from across the North. Some of these scholars, past and present, join us over the summer for co-cop jobs, and many return after graduating to begin their career with us.  

Congratulations to the 2020 Northern Futures Scholarship winners. We’re excited to watch your bright futures unfold! Keep reading to learn a little more about these northern scholars. 

Rasina Amin

Whitehorse, Yukon
University of Calgary
Bachelor of Science degree

My name is Rasina Amin. I grew up in Whitehorse, Yukon and I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of Calgary. I am pursuing a combined Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Commerce. This summer I worked for Northwestel as a Software & Data Analytics Developer summer student. I am interested in various fields such as software developer, business analyst, business technology manager or potentially a career in network security. My passion for computer science stems from the enjoyment and challenge I find in programming, as well as the role technology will play in the future. I aspire to join Northwestel again in the future.

Kelvin Kotchilea

Behchoko, Northwest Territories
Aurora College North Slave Campus
Business Administration

My name is Kelvin Kotchilea and I am from Behchoko, Northwest Territories. I am a first-year Business Administration student at Aurora College North Slave Campus in Yellowknife. My short-term goal is to obtain my business administration diploma in the accounting stream and start a new career as an accounting officer. During the start of the pandemic, I did not know what would happen with less than a month remaining of school. The college acted quickly and offered distance online learning with the help of Northwestel lifting the data cap, so all students had the chance to complete their academic year. Long term I plan to continue with my educational journey working towards becoming a Chartered Accountant. I hope to motivate and inspire high school students from my community. With education there are endless possibilities.

Emma Tom Tom

Dawson City, Yukon
Lethbridge College
Renewable Resource Management Diploma

My name is Emma Tom Tom and I am from Dawson City, Yukon. I am currently enrolled in the Renewable Resource Management Diploma at Lethbridge College. I am inspired to pursue a career in the natural resource field, I am very passionate about protecting and restoring the environment, specifically in the Yukon. I am an active member on the Dawson District Renewable Resource Management Council participating in many different projects.  Finishing my final year of high school became more challenging when the pandemic hit in the March, however it felt incredibly rewarding to hand in the final assignment. I am looking forward to starting my diploma at Lethbridge College. 

Sadie Pinksen

Iqaluit, Nunavut
Dalhousie University
Bachelor of Management

My name is Sadie Pinksen and I am from Iqaluit, Nunavut. I am currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I have been interested in economic and social development since I began considering post-secondary paths. Experiencing firsthand and attempting to understand opportunities for development in Nunavut has been a major theme throughout my education so far. The relationship and integration of culture, history, economic and social development is an area of particular interest and passion to me. This coupled with my interest and skills in leadership, lead to my decision on a Bachelor of Management with the intention of adding a minor in either Environment, Sustainability and Society, or International Development. I envision myself returning to Nunavut after completing my studies to do work I am passionate about.

Kelvin Kalai

Coral Harbour, Nunavut
Sanatuliqsarvik Trade School, Nunavut Arctic College
Skilled Trades Worker Diploma, Electrician

My name is Kelvin Kalai and I come from the small town of Coral Harbour, Nunavut. I am a student at the Sanatuliqsarvik Trade School at Nunavut Arctic College in Rankin Inlet. I am currently enrolled in the Skilled Trades Worker Diploma, Electrician and expected to graduate in December 2021. Not only do I very much enjoy the program, it has also had a positive impact on my life and outlook. Every day there are new projects to complete and it is easy to keep busy. My career goal is to become a certified electrical journeyman who designs, installs, repairs, and maintains electrical systems for both residential and commercial buildings.  This is my passion and I have a clear plan to turn that passion into a lifelong career.

Ethan Phypers 

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
The University of British Columbia Okanagan
Applied Science, Civil Engineering

My name is Ethan Phypers and I was born and raised in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.  I am now working on my fourth-year studies in Applied Science at The University of British Columbia Okanagan, specializing in Civil Engineering. I have always been amazed by the design of large structures, such as towers and bridges. It is clear that there are large infrastructure needs in communities across the Northwest Territories, and my desire to improve the quality of life for our residents is what fuels my determination to do my best in university and my ambition to become a civil engineer. My professional goals begin with returning to the NWT, upon graduating with my Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering, to work towards my professional engineer (P. Eng.) license. I believe in the vision of the NWT becoming one of the best places to live in Canada, and I hope to be a major contributor to transforming this idea into a reality.