Garrett Hrechka

Garrett Hrechka knows how to turn innovation into success that’s rooted in service. A citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation, he has been playing organized hockey since the age of three and has always been invested in community service. He earned a place on Team Manitoba for the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG), which were unfortunately disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic; however, he didn’t let that deter him from becoming a leader both on and off the ice.

Whether he was supervising the Northwest Métis Council’s (NMC’s) Dauphin community gardens, working at NMC’s summer camps, or coaching junior hockey, Garrett displayed an ongoing commitment to service and stewardship. This commitment was also expressed in his roles as a personal care worker and a volunteer with the Dauphin Fire Department.

A member of the Vikes hockey team at the University of Victoria, where he is studying mathematics and computer science, Garrett consistently takes on leadership roles. Through his participation in the Indigenous Pathfinders in AI program, created by Montréal-based AI research institute Mila, Garrett collaborated with fellow participant Mary Gallerneault to create SAIGE, an AI-based scholarship matching tool that enables Indigenous students to connect with tailored funding opportunities for their post-secondary journey. 

Following this achievement, Garrett has since been invited to present SAIGE in multiple venues, including the AI4Good Lab, and the Lincoln Alexander School of Law. 

In spaces where Indigenous representation in AI and tech remains scarce, Garrett is leading conversations that bridge traditional knowledge systems and future-focused technology.