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As Charlotte Muise neared the end of her undergraduate degree in Environmental Engineering, she wasn’t sure where her path would take her next.

As an Indigenous student in Dalhousie’s Faculty of Engineering, she says she never felt alone. She had strong support from professors, staff and friends, but what was missing was someone within the Faculty who understood her experience as an Indigenous student.  

When she met Daisy Peter-Paul, all that changed. As the Indigenous Pathway’s Program Coordinator for the Faculty’s Indigenous stream of the Inclusive Pathways to Engineering Careers Program, Peter-Paul became an important mentor for Charlotte, helping her see what could come next. With Peter-Paul’s support, Charlotte completed her application for graduate studies and went on to begin her master’s degree in environmental engineering.

That support, mentorship and friendship meant a lot to Charlotte. So when the Indigenous Pathways Program Coordinator position became available this year, she saw an opportunity to pay that support forward.

Now, as the Faculty’s new Indigenous Pathways Coordinator, Charlotte is taking on a role she knows firsthand can make a difference. The Indigenous Pathways Program helps Indigenous students navigate their journey into and through engineering, connecting them with cultural supports, mentorship, scholarships, internships and other opportunities along the way.

It’s also part of a community of support on Sexton Campus, including the Indigenous Student Centre, which opened last year to provide a dedicated space for Indigenous students to connect, access resources and build a community.

For Charlotte, her new role is an opportunity to draw on her own experience as a student and help make the path a little clearer for other Indigenous students finding their way through engineering.

We sat down with Charlotte to learn more about role and what she hopes to bring to the Indigenous Pathways Program.

1) Can you tell us a little about yourself and what brought you to Dalhousie Engineering as a student?

I am originally from Newfoundland and I wanted to move somewhere for school that still felt like home. I heard about Dalhousie’s engineering program and the community it builds and knew I wanted to be a part of it. I arrived on campus in September 2020 and never looked back. I graduated from environmental engineering in 2025 and I am now in my masters of environmental engineering.

2) What was your own experience like as an Indigenous student in the Faculty?

My experience was positive within the faculty, especially my department of civil and resource engineering. The professors, instructors, and staff were encouraging and supportive of my cultural teachings and education from outside the western classroom.

3) What made you want to come back to Dal Engineering and take on the role of Student Coordinator for the Indigenous Pathways Program?

I have seen the program grow and evolve since its infancy stage more than two years ago. When the previous staff member finished her contract I knew that I wanted to be in this role to help nurture the program in ways that it helped me through my final year of my undergrad.

4) What do you hope to bring to the role from your own experience as a former engineering student?

This program can be scary due to all the biases surrounding it, especially as an Indigenous student. I hope that I can share real life stories from my time as an undergrad to show the students that the program is manageable and can garner you success as well.

5) For Indigenous students who are considering engineering, or who are already here, what do you want them to know about the support and community available to them?

I want them to know that supports are not as far away as you think, and that the people behind them are on your side. Accessing these supports should never be something to be scared of, and can help you through your journey.

6) What are some of the ways you hope to build a stronger sense of community on campus?

I want to encourage intersectionality of different societies and programs with the Indigenous Student Centre. Hosting events that include folks of all backgrounds are what supports Indigenous resilience as a whole.

7) What are you looking forward to the most in your new position?

I am looking forward to building close connections with students, staff, and community members throughout my time in this role. I want to foster success for any Indigenous person interested in engineering, regardless of where you are from or what your educational background is.