Aquatic training opens participants for jobs with City of Edmonton

The city of Edmonton will once again run a program aimed at improving aquatic and leadership skills for Aboriginal teens and young adults.

This marks the ninth year that the Nikanihew Aboriginal Youth Leadership Program will be  staged.                                                                                                                                       
The program, expected to begin in early October and run on Mondays for three hours, will return to the Grand Trunk Fitness and Leisure Centre, where it was held for several years. However recently Nikanihew was run out of the O’Leary Fitness and Leisure Centre, which is currently being renovated. Brian Bowers, an Edmonton aquatic programmer who runs Nikanihew, expects a move back to the O’Leary facility later this fall, where it will continue until next spring.                                                               

Each year, 20-25 participants are accepted. Organizers wanted to have participants in place by Oct. 1, but more may be accepted after this date.

In order to be eligible, potential participants must be Aboriginal and between the ages of 15-22. Those interested must also have some swimming experience and a commitment to train in aquatics and other leadership areas.

“They get some life-long skills,” Bowers said. 

Nikanihew is a Cree word which means “one who leads the way.”

Bowers said two of the original goals of the program were to create leaders and possible employees for city jobs. Thus far half a dozen former participants have been hired by the city to work as lifeguards or in other instructing jobs.

 Bowers said participants are often transformed by taking the program.

“By the end of it they’re feeling a real sense of belonging,” he said. “It gives them a sense of purpose. They find they can do things they think they can’t.”
By acquiring some leadership skills, Bowers believes participants will have increased future opportunities in a variety of fields.

Nikanihew teaches participants about water safety, first aid and CPR. Completion can result in individuals getting certified for lifeguard and swim instructor prerequisite courses.

 Elders are also brought in during some nights to provide cultural teachings. Bowers said these sessions also prove to be beneficial to participants.

“This is where they came from,” he said. “This is their heritage. They can learn so much about it.”

Besides the free programming, which includes supplies and materials and a meal at each session, participants can also take advantage of other benefits valued at about $1,200.

Those in the program receive a free monthly Edmonton public transit pass. They are also given a facility pass that can be used at city leisure centres.