Martin launches educational initiative in Fort McMurray

The Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program was launched recently at the Fort McMurray Composite High School by former Prime Minister Paul Martin. A part of the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative, the Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program works to educate Aboriginal youth about business including financial literacy, enhancing critical thinking skills and encouraging students to complete secondary and post-secondary studies, all while building relationships with local business and entrepreneurial communities. Martin, along with local program sponsors ConocoPhillips, Suncor Energy and Marathon Oil Corporation and Aboriginal representatives including Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam and general manager Kyle Harrietha of McMurray Metis, signed the program’s partnership certificates on Dec. 12. There are eight students currently participating. The program was piloted in 2007 and is now being taught in seven provinces and one territory with more than 700 students at 46 schools “It highlights the focus we have on First Nations, Métis and Inuit programs in Fort McMurray Public. It’s a flagship program in the district. We have a variety of supports for our students and this certainly adds to that complement,” said superintendent Doug Nicholls. “So to have someone of the stature of Mr. Martin and being involved in the national program, it’s clearly good for students.”