A non-traditional path to engineering – CIM Magazine

March 16, 2026

A graduate of Queen’s University and the first from his First Nation community to pursue engineering, Sidney Mamakwa reflects on the challenges and hands-on experience that led him back to post-secondary studies as a mature student

Growing up in Wunnumin Lake, a remote fly-in First Nation community in northwestern Ontario, Sidney Mamakwa’s journey to a career in engineering followed several years of work in mining- and construction-related roles before returning to university as a mature student.

Leaving his community in 1994 at the age of 13 to attend high school, he had not yet identified a specific post-secondary path or career direction. After spending several years working in his community, Mamakwa developed an interest in engineering from working with engineering consultants, and returned to school with encouragement from his parents.