The good Cornellians can do: Jennifer Bennett ’99

Jennifer Bennett '99 is using her Cornell civil engineering degree to help her First Nation build critical infrastructure. Jennifer is a member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, and she volunteers on the Community Services and Infrastructure committee of her First Nation (or Band).

For her, this work is critical to improve outcomes for Indigenous peoples in Canada. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) estimates that Canada needs to invest $349.2 billion by 2030 to close the infrastructure gap between First Nations and non-Indigenous communities.

“This gap is due to decades of underfunding, unfair wealth distribution, and failed fiduciary duties by the Crown and the Provinces,” Jennifer notes. “Without investment, the AFN says infrastructure will deteriorate at an alarming rate and the gap could grow to nearly $528 billion by 2040.”

Jennifer is working with her community to plan and secure funding for much needed projects, like a new water treatment plant, extension of sanitary sewers for new subdivisions, and extension of 3-phase power to serve areas beyond the downtown.

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