When it comes to being a well-rounded citizen who is an inspiring role model, Brielle Thorsen checks all the boxes.

Brielle Thorsen is a 22-year-old graduate student who is currently attending Queen’s University and is working towards her master’s degree in mechanical engineering.  

No small feat.

Thorsen grew up in Cochrane and as a matter of fact, Brielle says she has not been home in over a year due to COVID.  She says, “I miss my home so much, I miss waking up to the mountains. I went to Elizabeth Barrett back in kindergarten, I went to Manachaban, and then I went to Cochrane High School.  I really grew up in Cochrane and really appreciated the time I spent there significantly. I am proud to come from Cochrane. I grew a lot as a person in Cochrane and you know, I am who I am today because of my experiences.”

To add to her many accomplishments, yesterday (Thursday, December 3), she was awarded the Order of the White Rose scholarship. It is a $30,000 scholarship that was created to honour the memory of the 14 women along with the survivors of the Ecole Polytechnique massacre in Montreal 31 years ago.  Each year, it is awarded to a promising female engineer like Brielle. What is even more noteworthy is she is the first Indigenous woman to receive the bursary.  As to her thoughts on this historic recognition, Thorsen says, “I am honoured to be the first recipient of the award that has Indigenous heritage. I am a Cree woman and I know that there will be more after me because there are so many amazing Indigenous women in engineering specifically. So, I hope that with me being the first recipient that more will be encouraged to apply and potentially hear about it.”

The highly revered Order of the White Rose scholarship is significant to women who share a sisterhood of striving for their academic dreams. Thorsen says, “The significance of this award weighs heavily on me and when I think about the lives that we lost in 1989, I put myself into that classroom and I think, what if that were me and my female classmates? Which is why we really need to remember the victims and survivors of the tragedy because this sad event has led to some positive outcomes. Like for me and my classmates to be able to study safely and study engineering without the fear of violence.”

Another example of being a well-rounded citizen is humility and Thorsen says with a chuckle, “It’s weird thinking about yourself as someone who is inspiring. It’s been such an amazing experience I just feel so humbled to be in this position of privilege to be able to share my story and raise awareness of issues that I care a lot about.”

So, what advice does Brielle Thorsen give to the youth in our community, “It wasn’t long ago I was there, and I remember getting nominated for the Leaders of Tomorrow award in Cochrane back in grade nine. Which was really the start of my journey as a leader. So, I hope other girls learn about those opportunities get involved with your leadership programs that you have at your high schools because they are great and they are a great start to a beautiful life and journey that you can be on.”

Brielle Thorsen is a well-rounded citizen who can be held in high regard by all, and in case you did not know, she grew up in Cochrane.  

Congratulations, Brielle on all your accomplishments!