On-the-job training provided to grads

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Seven graduates of the First Nation Integrated Resource Management Program

will be getting on-the-job training thanks to a new program. The new Resource Management Personnel Program is the result of an agreement between federal and provincial governments and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.

The multi-partner program was announced at a signing ceremony at Prince Albert. Participants in the ceremony included Larry Ellis, manager of intergovernmental affairs who was representing Jane Stewart, minister of Indian Affairs; Vice-Chief Allan Adam of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations; Ross MacLennan, assistant deputy minister of Saskatchewan Environment and Resources Management on behalf of Lorne Scott, minister of Environment and Resource, and Pearl Stockdale Ross representing the Canada-Saskatchewan Strategic Work/Study Program.

The agreement commits partner organizations to a total of $484,551 in funding and services in kind. Indian Affairs contributed $90,000, Saskatchewan Environment contributed $163,651, Canada-Saskatchewan Strategic Initiatives contributed $175,000 and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations contributed $37,900 toward the pilot project. An additional $18,000 was provided by the First Nation Forestry Program.

Stewart sees the program as more than an excellent opportunity for First Nations youth to learn skills while achieving individual goals.

"This program is an example of how partnerships among governments and First Nations organizations can realize progress on issues important to all of us," she said. "Today's graduates are gaining important experience in a career field where their skills and background will be invaluable in their communities in the coming years."

Scott praised the program.

"Solving many of the province's longer term resource management concerns will require the full involvement of trained, knowledgeable and experienced First Nations' resource managers," he said. "This project focuses on the task of developing key individuals."

Vice-Chief Allan Adam of the FSIN views the project as another step towards a First Nations operated and greatly expanded resource management program. "When self government becomes a reality, regional First Nations will require a large number of individuals with the type of training and work experience this project will provide," he said.

The money goes towards employing and training seven of the 19 First Nations graduates from the resources management program offered through Meadow Lake Tribal Council.