May 9, 2025 – Three youth from the Northwest Territories have been named as regional winners in the Rideau Hall Foundation’s Ingenious+ innovation challenge. Each of them will receive $1,000 to continue their winning project and will advance to the national level of the competition. There they could be awarded up to $10,000 along with prestigious learning and networking opportunities.
The goal of Ingenious+ is to discover talented young innovators coast to coast to coast and connect them with the resources they need to take their projects to the next level. “There are incredible opportunities to innovate in Canada’s north,” says Teresa Marques, President and CEO of the RHF.
“We’re thrilled to see youth in the Northwest Territories leading positive change in their communities and setting an inspiring example for young people across the country.”
Regional winners from the Northwest Territories include a youth-led climate action initiative that combines Indigenous land stewardship with modern climate science, a community engagement project that is revitalizing cultural traditions and connections through storytelling, mentorship, and intergenerational events, and a design for recyclable solar panel covers that are flexible in rugged terrain and durable in cold weather environments.
These three projects are now in consideration for national recognition by Ingenious+ along with 133 other regional winners. A full list of winning projects is posted at IngeniousPlus.ca. National winners are selected by an esteemed panel of judges and will be celebrated in Ottawa during Canadian Innovation Week, May 26-30.
For interview requests and further information:
Mélanie Béchard
Senior Communications Officer
Rideau Hall Foundation
613-914-0651
melanie.bechard@rhf-frh.ca
About the Rideau Hall Foundation
The Rideau Hall Foundation (RHF) is a non–partisan national charity that brings together ideas, people and resources to celebrate what is best about Canada while working with partners to meaningfully improve the lives of Canadians. The RHF celebrates excellence while creating opportunities and connecting communities, all towards the shared purpose of a better Canada. Learn more: https://rhf–frh.ca/
Northern Regional Winners
Land Guardians of Tomorrow: Indigenous Youth Leading Climate Action
Marlin Miersch. Fort Resolution – Northwest Territories
Land Guardians of Tomorrow is a youth-led initiative that combines Indigenous land stewardship with modern climate science. Through land-based learning, environmental monitoring, and green technology, Indigenous youth lead efforts in conservation and climate resilience to strengthen their communities.
Roots & Futures
Caleb Simon. Fort Resolution – Northwest Territories
Roots & Futures is a youth-led innovation that blends traditional knowledge with modern tools to deepen community engagement. Through storytelling, mentorship, and intergenerational events, this initiative revitalizescultural traditions and builds stronger and more connected communities.
A Flexible Future – Sustaining the North with Flexible solar panels
Owen Whynot. Tuktoyaktuk – Northwest Territories
This innovation develops a cover for flexible solar panels designed to work in cold, uneven terrain. By replacing PET plastic with durable and recyclable ETFE plastic, it increases energy production, lifespan, and sustainability. Reducing costs for northern Canadian communities as well.
