When Carmen Galligos spoke at the Tla’amin Nation treaty celebrations on April 9 in Powell River, she impressed everyone in the crowd.

“We’re also in a time of constant innovation and growth right now,” she told the audience. “Even in Tla’amin there’s always new infrastructure being created. It would be a dream to work as an engineer in my own community or possibly other First Nations communities, helping them meet their goals.”

Gary Reith, chief administrative officer for Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council (NmTC), was one of those whose ears perked up on hearing Carmen’s talk. Others were impressed as well and the civil engineering technology student was offered two summer job offers as a result of her speech.

Reith contacted Carmen about an NmTC technical engineering and survey services position and she was seconded to Associated Engineering where she will continue the journey to realize her dream.