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Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

Gilbert Van Beek

Gil Van Beek's headshot.Wind Tunnel Operator & Customer Support Technician 

Biography 

As the Wind Tunnel Operator and Customer Support Technician, Gil prepares vehicles for the Climatic Wind Tunnel and other climatic room testing. Gil installs thermocouples, flow pressure transducers, speed sensors, Ipetronics, and STI interfaces on test vehicles. He can diagnose root cause issues on production vehicles and complete and track all vehicle data. Gil is also familiar with competitor diagnostics procedures. 

Before joining ACE, Gil worked at General Motors, where he hand-built electrical harnesses from engineered drawings to fit prototype vehicles. He also assisted in the build of compressed natural gas, hybrid (gas/electric), and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Gil worked one on one with engineers globally to diagnose and rectify power train and electrical issues.