VANCOUVER – As more women pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers, the mining industry should place an emphasis on attracting and retaining female talent, according to an Indigenous women panel Wednesday, January 22 at the AME Roundup.
Korah DeWalt-Gagnon of the Tk’emlups te Secwpemc is the First Nations coordinator at New Afton, a gold-copper mine run by New Gold Inc. (TSX:NGD) in Kamloops, British Columbia.
“New Afton has a great culture,” DeWalt-Gagnon said. “We have a very supportive work force and we all motivate each other.”
New Gold prides itself on employee development. Dewalt-Gagnon said she started at New Gold as a human resources co-op, and then cultivated a professional relationship with a mentor. During her 10-year career at New Afton, Dewalt-Gagnon has worked with recruitment and employee relations.
“I enjoy helping Indigenous candidates and employees find success,” she said.
DeWalt-Gagnon said one of her passions at work is creating a diverse and inclusive working environment for employees to feel safe and empowered. She is a proponent of leadership training for all women because it gives them confidence in the workplace.
“[Mining] is such a diverse industry,” DeWalt-Gagnon said. “We’re a team at New Afton. It is like a canoe journey –when people stop paddling, they stop doing their job. When everyone paddles together, we get the job done.”
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