‘A good start’

Realizing the explosion of the mining industry in Ontario’s North means hundreds of potential jobs for the region’s Aboriginal population, Matawa First Nation and the federal government have revamped a job resource centre to help the capitalize on the opportunities at hand.

On Tuesday the First Nation officially launched the opening of the Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Resource Centre at the Matawa First Nations Management office in Thunder Bay, providing a home to a program that’s been up and running since last October.

The opportunities are vast, said KKETS manager Morris Wapoose, given the changing demographics in Northwestern Ontario.

“(We) are aware of the social mass departure of the younger non-Aboriginal population from the region,” Wapoose said, “the aging non-Aboriginal population, the shift of the economy from localization to globalization and the increased activity in the mining sector of this region.”
 
The resource centre will bring together all the tools Matawa members need to perfect their employability, starting with career advisors in place to assist clients through the entire job-seeking process.

“Staff will guide them through the process, regardless of age or skill level. With access to computers, Internet, online job research, fax machines, resume materials and referral to community services, this will help clients take a step in the right direction,” Wapoose said.

The five-year program, which replaces the Matawa Employment and Training program, which originated in 2005, and is funded through Human Resources Development Canada. Officials at the launch would not provide the cost of the program.

Matawa’s Wayne Moonias said the timing for the project couldn’t come at a better opportunity.

“With all the development happing in the North, I think it’s important to do something to allow (our people) to enter into the workforce,” he said.

“It’s a good start, it’s a good opportunity to get this going.”

For Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy, he believes programs like this will help lead his people to their destiny – self governance.

“To me, when we talk about self-governance, we’re simply talking about the ability to do things for ourselves,” Beardy said.

“This is a major step forward, for all of us, as a First Nation.”
Program officer Beedahbin Buswa said the words “Kiienomaga Kikenjigewen” stand for “teach knowledge,” an apt statement for what they’re trying to impart at the centre.

“The academic level of most young people is below the high school level, so it is crucial that we place a major emphasis on Matawa Youth, to help them gain knowledge to better prepare them for these opportunities,” she said.