We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

Search the:

Apply Donate Crisis Centre

Natalie Prole (Maheu)

Alumna, Mechanical Engineering - Specialization in Mechatronics (2017)

Ontario Tech Engineering Alumna Natalie originally chose Engineering because she wanted a bachelor's degree in a practical program that would give her the skills to pursue a technical career. But now being on the other side she says she has a deeper appreciation for this comprehensive discipline “engineering is so much broader than I could have ever imagined. I always tell people that engineering training teaches you how to learn and how to ask the right questions”, says Natalie, who currently works as a Vehicle Quality Equipment Engineer at Honda Manufacturing, and spends her days installing and optimizing automotive inspection equipment for the Honda Civic’s and CRV’s at the Honda Manufacturing plant in Alliston, Ontario.

When she’s not working, the 2017 graduate volunteers with the Ontario Tech Women in Engineering society to empower girls to see themselves as engineers, “when I first started university I had a really hard time understanding where my place was going to be in this industry. Having relatable figures share their experiences and opportunities in the workforce made the idea of being a part of that workforce so much more attainable in my mind”, says Prole.

In recent years we’ve begun to see the number of girls applying to engineering programs increase, and it has a lot to do with Women in Engineering events and inspiring engineers like Natalie telling their stories. “I get to see the bright minds of these young women and girls who have so much drive and so much to offer, if I can give them any sort of motivation or relatability I'm more than happy to offer my time”.