Exchange program builds skills and esteem

Aboriginal youth in Ontario are gaining new skills and great work experience as they participate in a summer employment program offered by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR).
The Aboriginal Youth Work Exchange Program began in 2006 as a pilot program and is now in its fourth year, said Karen Boultbee, communications officer for the MNR's youth programs. The program began with 20 positions and "It was such a success that it was expanded to 60 positions," said Boultbee.
The program gives the participants the opportunity to gain a variety of skills, which may differ depending on what position they occupy (fire assistants, Ontario Parks, forestry) and location they are in, and include technical skills, customer service, office skills, and radio operation.
Boultbee said the youth are assisted in gaining career development skills, resume writing, leadership and communication skills, natural resource management skills, and team-work skills.
Currently there are more than 35 Aboriginal communities involved with the program, but it is also available to youth who live off-reserve.
The program is for eight weeks and spans three consecutive summers. This allows the youth to complete two placements with the MNR and one within an Aboriginal community or organization.
"That is why it's called an exchange," said Boultbee. "So they can gain certain skills at the MNR and share those skills with their own communities or organizations. Additionally, the skills that they acquire in their own communities or with an Aboriginal organization can then be brought back to the MNR."
This allows them to have a well-rounded experience over the course of the three years.
The MNR does get a chance to hear what the program has done for the youth, who are or have been involved in it.
"We get a lot of feedback from the youth and their communities," said Boultbee. Positive statements offered by the participants such as "It's a good start for anyone looking to get into this field of work; Fish and Wildlife, Conservation Officer, that kind of thing," and "I think my grandpa would have been proud of me," are small testaments to the impact this kind of program has on the youth.
The program accepts young people who are between the ages 15 and 24 (up to 29 for persons with a disability.) They have to be able to legally work in Ontario and they have to be able to self-identify as being Aboriginal.
The application and hiring process for the program is often a partnership between an Aboriginal community and the MNR, so youth who are interested in becoming involved in the program should speak with officials within their own communities, who will in turn speak with the local MNR office. Those who are not part of an Aboriginal community can speak with their local MNR office.