First Nations, Inuit and Métis skilled trades program students encouraged to apply for scholarships

By Colin Graf

SUDBURY— Cambrian College, the First Nations charitable organization Indspire, and mining giant Vale, are partnering to offer $50,000 in scholarships annually for three years to help support First Nations students in skilled trades programs at the college, adding up to a $150,000 total.

The project will be funded equally by the charity and the company, and the $2,500 yearly awards will be offered to both new and continuing students in the  Heavy Equipment, Industrial Mechanical Millwright, Power Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Welding and Fabrication programs, says Ron Sarazin, Cambrian’s Director of Indigenous Student Success and Services. He adds that in all, 20 students will be helped.

“We recognize that our Indigenous students are unique in the sense that they have

not always had the same opportunities throughout their education as others throughout the country,” says Sarazin in a news release from Cambrian College. “Being able to provide new students with access to funding at this level will allow them to focus directly on their education, in turn helping to build their confidence and capabilities.”

“It just gives them a boost and encourages them to keep studying. It’s another tool in our tackle box we can use to help students who are struggling,” he adds.

Sarazin says that for trades students, the cost of extra items such as personal protective equipment and tools can sometimes be a barrier and the extra funding can go a long way in helping these students be successful.

While Vale is looking to help train workers for their northern Ontario operations, Sarazin believes training young First Nations people can help their home communities directly.

Some First Nations in the region have big community infrastructure programs right now and need skilled tradespeople to work on those, he says, noting that having local students learn skilled trades eliminates the need for them to leave their communities for work.

“If they can work on those big projects, if those projects are done and completed, they now have a skill and a ticket in their back pocket that they can take to another job,” explains Sarazin.

“There are clearly opportunities close to home for students in the trades,” says Indspire President and CEO Roberta Jamieson in an interview. “It’s been a great barrier over the years to have to leave home to take up their studies.”

According to Jamieson, First Nations are found within 100-200 kilometres of almost any resource development site in Canada.

“Employers are making a commitment to invest in Indigenous education because they want to grow employees and they want to contribute to the economy of the region,” says Jamieson. “Opportunities that will enable you to grow your career in your own community are very attractive, plus they are very well-paying positions.”

In the news release, Jamieson says that Indspire is “grateful for the support of Cambrian College and for the work they are doing to advance the achievement and education of Indigenous students.” As Canada’s fastest-growing demographic group, First Nations, Inuit and Métis students “stand ready to enrich our country in so many ways,” she adds.

Indspire is a national Indigenous charity designed to enrich Canada through First Nations education and by inspiring achievement. In partnership with Indigenous, private and public sector stakeholders, Indspire educates, connects and invests in Indigenous people to help them achieve their highest potential.

Jamieson is concerned that some First Nations students are missing out on Indspire funding for their education because there is a “misconception” that if students receive money from another source, “even their own communities”, they won’t qualify for support from the charity. She says that that is not true, and Indspire will “often top-up” funding from other bodies to help students make ends meet.

Cambrian has a long-standing relationship with Vale, says Brandi Braithwaite, Director of Development and Alumni. The mining company gave money to the college about 10 years ago to support trades training in First Nations, and some of that money was left from that time, she says.

When Indspire approached Cambrian about the scholarship idea, the Vale money was added in to create the new fund, according to Braithwaite. The students will be selected by Indspire, and the deadline for applications is Nov. 1, she says. The money will be awarded for the winter semester, Braithwaite adds.

“Through this scholarship, we aim to encourage skilled trades careers and to

support Indigenous students through their learning journey,” says Danica Pagnutti, Corporate & Indigenous Affairs Specialist for Vale’s Ontario Operations. “We’re very pleased to partner with Indspire and Cambrian College on this exciting new learning initiative.”