First Junior Forest Ranger program up and running

On Aug. 17, a dozen youth from Sturgeon Lake First Nation and James Smith Cree Nation became the first graduates from Saskatchewan's fledgling Junior Forest Ranger program.

Kelsie Bighead, Mervin Bosdi, Katie Burns, Ryan Ironchild, Regan Lambert, Shannon Sanderson and Clarence Turner Jr. from Sturgeon Lake and Trevor Head, Adam Sanderson, Chantal Sanderson and Lacy Whitehead from James Smith made up the graduating class.

Participants in the Junior Forest Rangers complete a six-week program that introduces them to the science and principles of wildfire and forest management and provided them with unique work, educational and life experiences.

Junior Forest Ranger programs have been offered in other provinces for a number of years as a way to interest youth in careers in the forest industry. The program was launched in Saskatchewan this summer by the Saskatchewan Forestry Association with the support of Sturgeon Lake First Nation, who acted as host for the Junior Forest Ranger training.

Additional support was provided by James Smith Cree Nation, the Prince Albert Grand Council, the First Nations Forestry Program, Prince Albert Model Forest, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, PRT-PA Nursery, Saskatchewan Environment, Sturgeon Lake Education, the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology and Econo Lumber.