Province announces training progam for First Nations

With the mining and hydroelectric sectors set to explode, five First Nations communities want their people to reap the economic benefits and find steady employment.

On Friday the province announced it would spend $11 million over three years through the Northern Training Partnership Fund to pay for more than 250 training opportunities for Aboriginal people in Northwestern Ontario.

It’s the latest step to prosperity, said Red Rock Indian Band Chief Pierre Pelletier.

"With education comes confidence. With confidence you can do anything," Pelletier said, addressing a packed boardroom at Confederation College. "It has been a hurdle. We’ve had our ups and downs over the years with this. All of us want what’s best for our communities and we all know that’s education."

Pelletier said First Nations leaders have long known the importance of learning skills and trades, but economics have made it difficult to achieve for many of his people.
This is their chance, he said.

"It’s going to create a bridge that should have been created a long time ago for the education gap to move the First Nations forward so they can be on the same playing field as everyone else when it comes to jobs and training," Pelletier said.

The program, part of a three-year $45 million provincial investment, is aimed at a variety of people, Pelletier explained. From former students who simply dropped out of high school or those who left to find work in the now devastated forestry industry, its goal is to bring them back into the educational fold and help them re-train for new opportunities.

"They can then qualify for apprenticeships and any other jobs that are open," Pelletier said.

Programs range from certification courses to literacy and life skills programs, and will be delivered locally on reserve and at Confederation College campuses in both Geraldton and Thunder Bay.

The long term rewards are easy to see, said Clifford Tibishkogijig, economic development officer of the White Sand First Nation.

"This investment is not only going to benefit here in this decade, but four decades to come," he said.

Qualifying communities, which also include Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek and Whitesand First Nation, are all part of the Waakiinaysay Ziibi Inc. development corporation.

About 170 of the 250 slots have already been filled, said MPP Michael Gravelle (Lib, Thunder Bay-Superior North), calling it a historical day for the region.

"It’s certainly what we know can be future economic development in Northwestern Ontario. We have the Ring of Fire, we have the proposed Little Jackfish hydroelectric project. The challenge has always been can we have the skills training that people need to be ready to go into those jobs. This fund is all about that," Gravelle said.

The partnership between the government, Aboriginal communities and the education system is a prime example of what’s possible, said outgoing Confederation College president Pat Lang.

She added potential students are being assessed in similar fashion to those entering the school’s continuing education program.

"Some folks may need some literacy and basic skills upgrading to be able to complete their high school. And then they’ll have opportunities to either go into the apprenticeship program or a post-secondary program that will prepare them in a variety of fields for job opportunities," Lang said.