Reconciling Tech: A Hackathon Improving Equity for Indigenous Women 2024

Find innovative solutions to increase and sustain the participation of Indigenous women in technology.

Friday, February 23
& Saturday, February 24, 2024

Improving Equity for Indigenous Women in Tech

According to Who Are Canada's Tech Workers? Indigenous people’s participation in tech occupations in 2019 was as low as 2.2 percent and even fewer are women. We are looking for real-world solutions to increase Indigenous women's participation in tech occupations.

We can all participate in building a more equitable and inclusive digital society. Call to Action #92 calls upon the corporate sector to take action and engage in economic reconciliation. Increasing the participation of Indigenous peoples in the tech sector is a direct response to this call to action.

A better digital society, that is more responsive to Indigenous women’s needs, is a win-win for everyone.

What is Reconciling
Tech Hackathon?

The Reconciling Tech: Improving Equity for Indigenous Women in Tech Hackathon aims to better address the disparities Indigenous women face in the tech industry. We are taking action by hosting this one-of-a-kind hackathon event. We are committed to finding new, innovative, and impactful solutions to increase and sustain the participation of Indigenous women in technology.

Reconciling Tech: Improving Equity for Indigenous Women in Tech Hackathon

Date and Time:

Friday, February 23 &
Saturday, February 24, 2024

Location:

Hybrid/SIIT on Treaty 6 Territory
and the Homeland of the Métis

Challenge Statement

Find innovative solutions to increase and sustain the number of Indigenous women employed in the technology industry?

Hackathon Details

Date and Time:

Friday, February 23 &
Saturday, February 24, 2024

Individuals will brainstorm and develop creative solutions to the challenge statement in a 24-hour period. Individuals will connect with innovators and leaders from different backgrounds, industries, cultures, and industry experts.

There will be five participants per team and 5 teams in total. The teams will then come together and find real-world solutions to the challenge statement and pitch it to judges. Teams will have access to resources, professional development, mentors, tech support, sharing circles and one-on-one support from Elders as they build their solutions.

We will create a culturally appropriate environment where individuals can feel safe, welcomed, supported, respected, and empowered. This is a unique and valuable experience to further your commitment to economic reconciliation. This is an excellent opportunity to build, diversify, and grow your network through a unique, collaborative process.

Judging criteria potential to solve real-world challenges evaluate projects based on:

By emphasizing the potential impact and feasibility of the projects. This encourages participants to build solutions that have real-world applications.

40%

Significance

The potential impact of the project

30%

Feasibility

The likelihood of the project being successfully implemented in the real world.

20%

Innovation

The originality and inventiveness of the project.

10%

Technical Quality

The quality of technical implementation.

We welcome all those who want a more equitable, diverse, and empowering workforce are welcome to participate.

Who Can Participate?

18 years old +
Indigenous Participants especially Women
Non-Indigenous Participants
LGBTQ2S+
Post-secondary Students
Industry Professionals
Business Owners
Unemployed/Underemployed

Hiring Managers
HR Sector
IT Sector
Employers
Companies
Economic Development Sector
DEI Sector
Developers

Government
First Nations Tribal Council
Indigenous Communities
Returning To Workforce
Lived Experience In Tech

Participant: Grow your experience and collaborate as you build new skills for addressing real world problems through tech innovation. Learn what economic reconciliation can look like.
Sponsor: There are a number of different ways you can sponsor this event. Please see the options here.
Judge: Judges will be listening, reviewing, and providing feedback on the solution pitches of each team. Judges will then come together to further discuss the pitches and will select the winning recipients.
Mentor: Mentors will be working side by side with hackathon participants. Mentors will have a wide variety of specializations that participants will be able to draw from for support.
Volunteer: Volunteers are the backbone of any successful event. We are looking for volunteers who are eager to interact with participants and ensure that the hackathon runs smoothly.

How Can I get involved?

Benefits
to Sponsors

Engage in economic reconciliation and showcase your commitment to responding to TRC Call to Action #92.
Learn what creating inclusive, welcoming spaces infused with Indigenous culture and leadership looks like.
Network with Indigenous industry professionals, entrepreneurs, job seekers, and post-secondary students.
Have a lasting impact by supporting an event that creates real-world solutions, paving the way for the inclusion and leadership of Indigenous women in the tech sector.