Eabametoong’s Ricky Yellowhead is looking at a career in the Ring of Fire after graduating from KKETS’ Aboriginal Skills Advancement Pilot Program (ASAPP) with a GED.
Aboriginal youth will soon have more help to reach career goals thanks to the upcoming launch of a new charity aimed at building capacity.
While a recent Assembly of First Nations study indicates First Nations people do not face immediate health risks from contaminants, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) community members have known since a 1980s study that their bodies contain high PCB levels.
Marten Fall’s Jasmine Baxter is keeping her future career options open after graduating from General Educational Development (GED) at the Matawa Learning Centre.
“I have a few options right now — I’ve got to look over the college courses again and hopefully I can get in this fall,” Baxter said during the June 26 graduation ceremony at the Italian Cultural Centre in Thunder Bay. “If not, I’ll wait until next fall. I’ll see what I can do and where it will take me.”
Although Baxter is not sure about which career path to choose, she has a few options in mind.
Thunder Bay’s National Aboriginal Day celebrations featured a powwow on June 21 at Marina Park, top, where people in traditional regalia and those without danced to the beat provided by a number of drum groups, including host drum Little Bear and co-host drum Shadow Creek. The powwow included a special ceremony to honour youth, a feast with Aboriginal foods and giveaways at the closing ceremony.
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug Deputy Chief Darryl Sainnawap enjoyed meeting people and sharing information about his community during the Rotary International Convention in Lisbon, Portugal.
“It was amazing to get to know people, share our story and the conditions and the hardships we face in a developed country,” Sainnawap said. “People around the world don’t realize that.”
Weagamow is feeling a sense of relief after two air conditioners were installed in the Sena Memorial Nursing Station on July 7.
“What we have now is a band-aid solution to a big problem that’s been an ongoing problem,” said Doug Beardy, maintenance man at the Sena Memorial Nursing Station. “We have one installed in the waiting room and one installed in the front reception area where all the offices are. But all the other offices don’t have any (air conditioners).”
Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment and Training Services (KKETS) has partnered with Aecon Group Inc. to expand training and development programs for First Nations in the Ring of Fire area.
“In the past, First Nations did not have the same participation in the labour market, but through the process of developing and maintaining relationships with key employers, potential employment opportunities have been recognized,” said Morris Wapoose, KKETS’ program manager.
“We want to thank Aecon for stepping forward and we look forward to building this positive relationship.”
The Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres (OFIFC) has launched an Aboriginal e-commerce website for Aboriginal artisans to sell their work.
“It’s a social economy initiative intended to support Aboriginal artisans and friendship centres and Aboriginal businesses that are partners and suppliers,” said Chester Langille, capacity support director with the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres. “We purchase products from the artisans and we sell (the products) in an e-commerce format.”
Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s Embrace Life Walk-a-thon fundraiser was a success with about $3,000 raised to support social challenges, including suicide, in the communities.
“It went well — we had about 30 people and once we get all the pledges in, we’ll have maybe close to $3,000,” said Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic. “The funds will be used to have parental and youth self-esteem workshops to promote healthy living. The money will be used to have Embrace Life.”
When I was a boy growing up in my home community of Attawapiskat on the James Bay coast, I was deathly afraid of looking at the full moon.
I grew up...
I’m happy to see the ongoing support and assistance in our northern remote communities to help our people cope with so many lifelong and generational issues...