‘NIIGAANAABDA’ Fort William First Nation Adult Education Project launches
FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION, ON (September 20, 2016)– Approximately six years ago, Chief Peter Collins had a vision; to enhance the education and pre-employment training opportunities for adult learners so that they will have an edge in today’s growing economy. And by fate, that became the mission statement for the Margaret Anderson Foundation, a foundation in its fourth year of working alongside First Nation communities fostering those exact needs. Hence the evolution of the Niigaanaabda Project, a program predominately driven by Fort William First Nation through the guidance of Chief and Council, the Director of Youth and Social Development, and NAADMAAD team. Niigaanaabda is a unique on-reserve project that provides adult learners with career planning, grade 12 education, and pre-employment and life-skills workshops.
Niigaanaabda in the Anishinaabemowin language means, “We are all looking ahead.” In a sense, for this project looking ahead, at the opportunities, looking ahead at the barriers, and facing these together. It’s necessary that each participant has a team by their side, which consists of an employment counsellor, certified OSSD teacher, life skills instructors, and a project coordinator, all, working together to develop unique customized action plans and establishing service coordination.
The project components will include OSSD course work, flexible scheduling, pre-employment/ life skills workshops as well as on-going case management. “What makes this concept unique is that we are inclusive to all who may have fallen through the cracks of the traditional education school system. Generally what is happening right now, is that individuals are being trained and cannot apply for the job because they do not have the proper prerequisites. It is our goal to motivate and ensure that the students are ready for the industry in which they want to be employed in.” stated, Vernon Ogima, Project Lead.
The project team is also seeking out the support of local service providers and employment opportunities with local employers to include as potential goals in the customized learning plans.
To make this project an alternative education experience for the adult learner, the team is able to provide flexibility to fit the participants’ needs. This means that the students choose the class schedule, design the project logo, and pick their own workshops. The students are the real rock stars of this project and its successes will be their own.
The FWFN Niigaanaabda Project site is located at 400 Anemki Drive in the Community Centre, next to the KIHS classroom and is open 4 days a week – Monday to Thursday from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The classroom times may change to fit participants needs but you can reach any one of the Niigaanaabda Project team members at 807.622-6931 for more information.