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Naskapi teen Aiden-James Einish will represent Canada next week at an international science fair in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., with a project based on traditional knowledge.
Einish, from the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach in northern Quebec, will be among 36 students from across Canada showcasing their work at Expo-Sciences International from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.
The 16-year-old earned the opportunity after winning a bronze medal for his project Boiling for Relief: Labrador Tea’s Anti-Inflammatory Power in Arthritis Management at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in June.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m very excited to go,” Einish said.
Expo-Sciences International is a non-competitive multicultural exhibition showcasing science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics projects developed by children and youth aged 9 to 25 from across the globe.
The exhibition will feature students from over 50 countries, who will also have the opportunity to participate in conferences and workshops.
Einish’s project looks at how Labrador tea, a plant common in Northern regions of Canada, is used to treat inflammation and pain from arthritis.
The slightly bitter tasting tea made from the plant has long been used by the Naskapi people for its anti-inflammatory properties, used to treat those who are sick.
“Sometimes I would drink it for fun, since my family was boiling it, but it was mostly for sickness,” Einish said.
“The reason why I started this project was people were drinking it for arthritis, like my grandparents.”
Interested in pharmacy studies
Einish said he’s competed at the Quebec Indigenous Science Fair the last two years. This year was the first time he attended the Canada-Wide fair.
His Labrador tea project is a continuation of Einish’s scientific research over the last two years on arthritis.
“He wanted to find the use of the local medicine which can be used as a good substitute for modern medicines for treating inflammation and arthritis,” said Shaveta Sharma, the science teacher at Jimmy Sandy Memorial School in Kawawachikamach.
Joseph Whelan, principal at Jimmy Sandy, said the whole school was proud of Einish.
“It’s really an example of if you are willing to put in the time and the effort and have a passion, that we’re here to help support you and great things can happen,” he said.
Einish and Sharma leave for Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. Einish said he’s excited to meet with like-minded people and spread the word about Labrador tea and its health benefits.
As for the future, Einish said he wants to go onto higher education and study to become a pharmacist.
“I’m really interested in natural medicine as a replacement for Western medicine,” he said.
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