Disruption: Changing Saskatchewan’s Tech Ecosystem to Empower Indigenous Woman
Mission
The Ethical Digital team is taking action in responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action #92. We are doing this by "changing the trajectory of the internet" by making it more respectful, equitable, and inclusive. We hope a report outlining tech resources, mindset, and skills barriers Indigenous women in Saskatchewan face is a small step in the right direction.
What We Heard
As part of phase one of the project, Ethical Digital interviewed and surveyed over 120 Indigenous women to better understand the challenges and barriers that deter them from pursuing careers in technology. Our data indicates that Indigenous women in Saskatchewan are comfortable with technology. The question then becomes, why are Indigenous women not proportionally represented in the tech industry? Or, what about the tech industry is not attractive to Indigenous women?
✓ 73% of respondents considered a career in tech
✓ 67% of respondents knew someone in tech
Demographics of Respondents
123 Responses in total
84 live on reserve
39 live off reserve
79% between the age of 25 - 44
30% Post-Secondary Student
12% Business or Technical Certificate
50% 5+ Years experience in tech
80% Employed
Here is a snapshot of the top four barriers in the report findings.
Theme 1: Indigenous women are interested in the tech industry but face significant financial barriers when pursuing training and/or a career in technology
47% of Indigenous women noted that funding/money was the number one barrier when pursuing a career in technology.
Theme 2: Indigenous women are interested in tech training and careers but are concerned they would have to leave their families and communities to access opportunities.
28% of Indigenous women noted that training location/career location is a barrier to them working in the tech industry.
Theme 3: Indigenous women noted that educational and professional requirements are barriers to pursuing training and careers in the tech industry.
52% of Indigenous women noted that their current level of education has held them back from working in the tech industry.
Theme 4: Indigenous women's family obligations and childcare often keep them from pursuing training and careers in the tech industry.
9% of respondents noted that childcare and or family obligations were obstacles in attaining training or careers in the tech field.
Download the Report
About Us
Respect for everyone, everywhere is what we’re after. As a leader in the digital marketing industry, we’re working towards this by delivering ethical digital strategy to our clients, conducting research, and creating a world-class certification.