The first AISES Canadian National Student Representative, Brielle Thorsen, is the 2020 recipient of the Order of the White Rose Scholarship awarded by Polytechnique Montréal. Polytechnique created the Order of the White Rose Scholarship in remembrance of 14 women as well as 11 wounded who were attacked on December 6, 1989, while on campus.

Thorsen was recognized at the sixth annual Order of the White Rose award ceremony held online on December 3. “Indigenous peers in science have found a remarkable ambassador. Well done Brielle,” said Michèle Thibodeau-DeGuire, chair of the Board of Directors of the Corporation of École Polytechnique de Montréal.

Nathalie Provost, a survivor of the Polytechnique massacre of 1989, presented the award to Thorsen. Provost is the founder of the Order of the White Rose and scholarship. Candidates submit their applications to Canadian engineering schools who choose a finalist to advance to a cross-Canada scholarship selection committee comprised of principals, and presidents or deans at seven Canadian universities. Recipients demonstrate outstanding merit in academic record, technical achievements, and social commitments.

A member of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Thorsen is the first Indigenous women chosen for the $30,000 scholarship that is awarded to a female Canadian graduate engineering student who is studying in Canada or elsewhere in the world. “I am so honored and humbled to be this year’s recipient of the Order of the White Rose Scholarship. However, this award is not just for me,” said Thorsen. “This award is for every amazing, strong woman in my life that I have had the privilege of knowing. This award is for my fearless female classmates. It's for the women who have raised me. And for all of the women who have taught me to use my voice.”

Thorsen earned her BASc at Queen’s University in Ontario, where she is pursuing a master’s in mechanical engineering. She wants to work with Indigenous communities across Turtle Island to implement sustainable energy systems for generations to come and move towards energy sovereignty in communities. For more on Thorsen see the 2018 Special College Issue of Winds of Change.

Canada has designated Dec. 6 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. To learn more about the Order of the White Rose visit https://www.polymtl.ca/ordreroseblanche/en.