Sachigo Lake and Long Lake #58 youth meet Ontario premier

Two First Nations youth advancing their education at a Thunder Bay employment and training agency had the chance to talk to Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne during her visit to the city on May 23.
Sarah Mickelson, a Sachigo Lake First Nation member, was working on an assignment to gain her Grade 9 English credit at YES Employment Services when Wynne approached her.
“She was just right there, it was nerve wracking,” Mickelson said, laughing at the memory.
Mickelson told Wynne she was there to gain high school credits so she can enter Grade 10 in the fall.
Wynne asked her about her future goals and Mickelson said she wanted to go to university or college to become a veterinarian. That or be a professional gymnast.
“I liked her, she’s cool,” Mickelson said of her chat with the premier.
Wynne then talked with 16-year-old Cassidy Poulan of Long Lake #58 First Nation.
“It was really nice,” Poulan said of meeting Wynne. “I was more excited than nervous.”
Poulan was at YES Employment to take a six-week placement course where she manages the bookshelf and does customer service.
Poulan told Wynne she wants to become a nurse.
“Or if I follow my dream, be a doctor,” Poulan said.
Wynne was making her first visit to Thunder Bay as premier and promoting her government’s budget, which includes the Youth Jobs Strategy that was announced last month.
The strategy will invest $195 million into the Ontario Youth Employment Fund, which would be available as early as September 2013.
The entire strategy would be supported by a total investment of $295 million over two years, and would create 30,000 new job opportunities.
Mickelson said she heard of YES Employment through her old high school and is enjoying the support she receives as she aims to acquire five credits.
“This is a great program,” she said. “I suggest kids not in school to come here. You actually get a lot of work done and you have to be focused and committed.”
Poulan also enjoys her placement at the employment and training agency.
“I’d love to share (the) program with other kids who need help,” she said. “I was one of those kids who just didn’t care about my life and wasting it at home until I actually came here, now I’m on my way to a better future.”