New Chi Mino Ozhitoowin and Confederation College training partnership announced

By Rick Garrick

THUNDER BAY — Chi Mino Ozhitoowin and Confederation College held a training partnership agreement signing ceremony on May 13 for the Waasigan Transmission Line project from Shuniah to Atikokan and Dryden in northwestern Ontario. Chi Mino Ozhitoowin is 100 per cent First Nation-owned by Fort William, Eagle Lake, Lac La Croix, Lac Seul, Nigigoonsiminikaaning, Saugeen, and Seine River with a strategic focus on the construction of the Waasigan Transmission Line.

“I’m excited to build this relationship; it’s been a year or so in the making so I know it’s a lot of work that’s been put in by our team and your team in building that relationship working together,” says Peter Collins, CEO at Chi Mino Ozhitoowin. “Our partnership is so important to us because what we’re working on is creating long-term sustainable opportunities for our folks in our communities that we represent. Our transmission line that we’re building from Thunder Bay[(which is located adjacent to Shuniah and was part of Shuniah in the past] to Dryden is a 350 kilometre transmission line — it’s important for us to train our folks to [be] prepared to take on the roles of helping build this project.”

Collins says the goal is to provide people from the communities with long-term careers.

“This is not a one-time opportunity that we’re trying to create, we’re trying to create a long-term career that is meaningful to the [citizens] in their communities so that they can live a prosperous life,” Collins says. “I think it’s so important that we work together on many different levels, we’ve signed several partnership relationships over the last couple of months, and [we’ve] been very excited about building this one over the last while, too.”

Collins says there are more than 200 positions that they are planning to create and train for the project.

“The benefits will be immense not only for our region but also the regions that we cross,” Collins says, adding there will be an opportunity for growth with economic spin-offs for the municipalities and communities. “It’s going to be a great spin-off for all of us.”

Kathleen Lynch, president at Confederation College, says they are excited about being a partner with Chi Mino Ozhitoowin for the training of youth for careers and a future in trades.

“A lot of the youth will get their pre-apprenticeship Level 1 trades in different areas,” Lynch says. “So really happy to have everybody here today in the start of a great opportunity for the youth and young Indigenous people in our area.”

Carol Cline, dean of workforce development at Confederation College, says the youth will have the opportunity to be trained right in their own communities.

“It’s always exciting to be able to kind of celebrate the fact that we not only work here in this building and do a lot of work in our regional campuses, but we also go right into community and train people to meet industry need,” Cline says. “We want to thank CMO (Chi Mino Ozhitoowin) for being an amazing partner and our friendship will continue to grow as the industry need changes and grows as well.”

Shuniah Mayor Wendy Landry, a Red Rock Indian Band citizen, says the Chi Mino Ozhitoowin-Confederation College training partnership agreement is good for the region.

“As a First Nations person from Red Rock Indian Band, I think it’s going to help a lot of Indigenous people get some trades and get some training,” Landry says. “Considering that the Waasigan Line starts at Shuniah, it’s a good announcement for everybody in the region. From a NOMA (Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association) perspective, for example, we definitely need the energy in the northwest.”

Chi Mino Ozhitoowin plans to review the skills of local First Nations workers, determine any additional training required prior to the start of project construction and deliver the required training to individuals who are interested in working on the project. Some of the training programs that may be offered include: Energy Readiness Intro to Energy and Skills Development; Basic Line Cutting; Security Guard; Remote Camp Cook; Remote Camp Support; Mechanical Harvesting; Pre-Trades Training; Line Crew Ground Support; and Heavy Equipment Operator.

Contact information for people who are interested in employment and training opportunities is posted on the Chi Mino Ozhitoowin website.