Community-led skilled trades training program improves housing in Taykwa Tagamou Nation
Northern College, Keepers of the Circle, and Taykwa Tagamou Nation have partnered to deliver a community-led skilled trades pre-employment training program that helped elders with basic renovations to their homes.
In a news release Friday, the college said the program was designed to inspire Indigenous youth to pursue an apprenticeship in carpentry.
"Over eight weeks, skilled trades experts from the Taykwa Tagamou Nation worked with carpentry students in a hands-on learning process teaching them the basics of construction and home repair," the release said.
"Students completed several infrastructure projects in the community."
Projects included erecting three patios, two stairways, a ramp, siding on the back of a home, railings, and some interior work. They also built a gazebo for the community playground.
Participants will be receiving a certificate in Basics of Construction from Northern College, plus safety-related certificates, including Working at Heights.
“Our students made an impact on the quality of life for three elders and other community members’ homes by completing projects on their homes,” Cherilyn Archibald, employment and training coordinator with the Taykwa Tagamou Nation, said in the release.
"My favourite part of this project was the teamwork when we built the decks, everyone being together and helping each other," said participant Kristina Echum Pitawanakwat.
"I would recommend for anyone who is looking for a sense of accomplishment to join a project like this one. It's an honour for me to help elders and to see their gratitude from my work."
A small graduation took place in Cochrane, celebrating the completion of the program for eight students. They were joined by Elder Mary Martha Gelinas, who led a prayer and commented on the impact this program had on the community.
"It's good to create programs that take place inside Frist Nation communities, especially when elder needs are taken into consideration,” said Gelinas.
“They are helping to improve our life quality. They built a railing for Elder Pauline. She uses a walker so mobility safety was an issue, but now she feels safe in her own home."
“The program aims to provide participants with the self-confidence and skills they need to achieve new goals and opportunities in the construction industry,” said Dr. Audrey J. Penner, Northern College president and CEO.
"Northern College values its relationships with Indigenous communities, partnerships like this one represent a significant step forward in making sure that we create a workforce that serves those in the greatest of need."
Kathy Lajeunesse, partner liaison with Keepers of the Circle who supported students through the Culture, Confidence and Competence component concurred, saying, “The partnership with the communities and Northern College brings skilled trades training to rural and remote areas of northern Ontario.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.