NovaGold announces scholarships
News from Birch Ridge Education Authority
Future generations to benefit from Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre
More young people finding a future in skilled trades
NWCC’s Freda Diesing School of Art launches programming with world- renowned Aboriginal artists at helm
World renowned artists Dempsey Bob (Wolf Clan - Tahltan/Tlingit), Stan Bevan (Wolf Clan - Tahltan/Tlingit/Tsimshian), and Ken McNeil (Wolf Clan - Tahltan/Tlingit/ Nisga'a) will be leading Northwest Community College’s First Nations Artist in Residence program (FNAR), teaching students the history and art of First Nations carving.
First Nations Artist in Residence is the first program offering of NWCC’s Freda Diesing School of Art and Design, launched earlier this year.
“We are extremely fortunate to have such world class artists in this region and are privileged to have them involved in the School,” states NWCC president, Stephanie Forsyth. “Each of them have helped bring First Nations art of the Pacific Northwest to the attention of the world and are active in selflessly passing knowledge of the art form along to others. This will be a lifetime opportunity for the students to work under the direction and mentorship of such gifted artists and will be a tremendous experience for them all.”
Dempsey Bob is one of the foremost artists of his generation and has been carving and teaching for over 30 years. His works are featured in museums and galleries around the world. A friend and student of Freda Diesing (Haida), Bob studied under Freda’s tutorage and taught along side her.
“I started my carving career with Freda”, explains Bob. “She was the only teacher we had and her teaching came at a critical time for artists, a time when our art was in danger of being lost. She gave her students information and ideas and created a good foundation from which we could grow, and learn and create a style of our own. Freda taught us how to be good teachers and learners and motivated others to continue the teachings. The School is a continuation of Freda’s legacy.”
Bob worked with the College to establish the Freda Diesing School of Art and Design and continues to provide advice and guidance to the development of the School through his participation on its Program Advisory Committee. Within the FNAR program, he will be working as Senior Advisor and together with Rocque Berthiaume will co-instruct two of the FNAR courses – First Nations Art of the Pacific Northwest I and II.
Stan Bevan has been carving and teaching for over 25 years, producing many totem poles and sculptures from his community of Kitselas. He has worked on public projects around the globe from Terrace to Spain and Japan and his works are featured in many private and international collections. He has taught in BC, Alaska, New Zealand and the Yukon, as well as giving demonstrations in Japan and the US.
“Freda Diesing was a teacher to all nations,” explains Bevan. “Northwest Community College is the appropriate place to have the Freda Diesing School of Art and Design as it brings nations together in the pursuit of higher education. Through the College the School will bring the art of the First Nations to a new level of recognition and set new standards for aspiring artists.”
Ken McNeil has also been involved in the production of major public works both internationally and locally. Local projects have included the 13-foot Grizzly Bear Totem at Kitselas, the four poles for the Muks-Kum-Ol housing society in Terrace, as well as the totem pole at the First Nations House of Learning in Vancouver. He has been carving for over 25 years and taught in Prince Rupert, Kitselas, Telegraph, and at the University of Alaska in Sitka.
“The creation of the Freda Diesing School of Art and Design is an honour not only for the late Freda Diesing but for the instructors who will uphold her prestige,” states McNeil. “The First Nations students will walk away with a better understanding of the origins of the art and how it has evolved over time.”
Students in the First Nations Artist in Residence program come from around the region as well as the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, the Kootenays and the Yukon. Some students have already acquired post-secondary training and degrees and all come with various levels of carving experience.
“The FNAR program supports the mission of the Freda Diesing School of Art and Design to honour and support the rich culture and tradition of First Nations art in the northwest,” concludes Forsyth. “Together with the support and partnership of our First Nations artists and community leaders we are striving to ensure the appreciation and knowledge of First Nations art and culture is continued throughout all generations.”
Construction boot camp
The construction industry is experiencing a serious shortage of workers, so the time has never been better to consider a career in the trades. If you want to work in construction, Construction Boot Camp is worth looking into. In only four years you can earn up to $60,000 a year in Alberta’s booming construction industry.
Construction Boot Camp gives students the skills they need to work in the construction industry. Students learn: Basics of Construction, Workplace Culture Preparation, First Aid Training, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), Construction Safety Training System (CSTS) and Small Tools and Equipment. No previous construction experience is required. Those interested in working in construction have the opportunity to gain firsthand experience and start their paths to becoming apprentices.
The program takes two weeks (full days) or four weeks (half-days), a total of 80 hours, to complete. Construction Boot Camp is free of charge to qualified candidates. Alberta Human Resources and Employment partially funds the program, together with Merit.
What can you expect from Boot Camp? One student says it changed his career path. Here’s his story:
“I found Boot Camp a great fit for me as it helped me to focus on the trade [carpentry] I had set my goals toward. Opportunities to follow other trades such as electrical, welding, and plumbing, were also available. From the theory in the classroom, to the hands-on projects, whether by hand or using a variety of hand and power tools in the shop, the experience was time well spent and highly recommended.
“I have found that since entering the trade as an apprentice carpenter I can hardly wait to get up in the morning to get to the jobsite! I find that everyday is a new learning experience and that my creativity is challenged to bring solutions to projects on the site. I have noticed with my employer that when you prove yourself as a valuable employee you are recognized for your dedicated work and you will be rewarded accordingly.
“Through the experience of Construction Boot Camp I have realized my dream of working in the field of construction. My employer is very supportive of the apprenticeship opportunities available; therefore, I am able to pursue my dream. I highly recommend Construction Boot Camp to those who want to change their careers and those embarking on a career in the trades.”
Do you want to participate in Boot Camp? You must be 18 years of age or older, underemployed and ready to begin full-time employment upon completion of the program. You must also be motivated to learn and work and have access to a vehicle. The Boot Camp screening process is specific and intensive, and includes an evaluation of skills, such as punctuality and attendance.
For more information on Construction Boot Camp, contact Jay at Merit’s Edmonton office at 780-455-5999. You can also visit www.ConstructionBootCamp.ca
Merit Contractors Association is a province-wide non-profit association with over 1,100 contractor member firms that employ over 30,000 employees in construction. The Association was formed in 1986 to serve the needs of the open shop construction industry, particularly in the area of human resources programs. Merit is Canada’s largest open shop association.
NovaGold announces scholarships
On October 17th NovaGold got a head start with the Tahltan Day celebrations by announcing the recipients of the NovaGold-sponsored Tahltan Scholarship fund.
Alice Hamlin, Curtis Rattray and the Tahltan Heritage Resource Environmental Assessment Team (THREAT).
This was the inaugural year for the NovaGold scholarship and from all accounts, it has a very promising future. The community was enthusiastic about the prospect as there were many applicants and the turn-out at the Open House on October 17 was enthusiastic.
The Scholarship Fund is part of NovaGold’s commitment to furthering the education of the people affected by its mineral exploration.
In the Participation Agreement, NovaGold guaranteed that it would maintain a scholarship fund for Tahltan members that are interested in careers in the mining industry or acquiring qualifications related to the project.
Ann Ball and Jim Mallory have been working on the execution of this project since early September. Together they approached the Tahltan Central Council (TCC), Tahltan and Iskut Band Chiefs, council members and their education coordinators.
A selection committee made up of members of Iskut, Telegraph, Dease and Vancouver (NovaGold) chose the recipients. There were ten awards given out in total. Five went to adult students over 25 years old and the other five went to students under 24 years of age. The winners are as follows:
Students:
$2500 Natasha Seymour
$2500 Joscelyne Ponsioen
$2000 Chad Day
$2000 Jade Gagnon
$1000 Jason Smith.
Adults:
$1000 Vera Asp
$1000 Christine Ball
$1000 Thelma Asp
$1000 Paige Callison
$1000 Stacey Peterson (Day)
Most scholarships were accepted by friends or family as the many of the recipients were in class at the time. Afterwards there was a presentation by the Tahltan Dancers and a dinner for all the attendants. The festivities ended with a cake brought by Pat Bell, Minister of Agriculture and Lands.
News from Birch Ridge Education Authority
Hi, my name is Harvey Buchholz and I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the newly hired Director of Education for Birch Ridge Education Authority. I am hoping to make it out into the community when everything slows down a bit but right now I invite anyone who has time to drop into the Education Office and have a visit.
I bring to the community of Birch Narrows 35 years of teaching and administration experience with some of my past positions in such areas as Cormorant Lake(Manitoba), The Pas(Manitoba), Mosquito-Grizzly Bear-Lean Man, Berens River (Man-itoba), Beauval, La-Loche, Loon Lake and Island Lake. It has proven to be quite an adjustment to no longer having direct involvement with a staff of 50 and a student population of 300 to 500 students. However, this assignment is proving to be just as exciting and professionally interesting in its own way. I look forward to working with the community to assist the education process here in Birch Narrows
I am very impressed with the students and the professional staff at Birch Ridge Community School and I look forward to working with the staff on the school’s program plans and their delivery. The school continues to be a very warm and inviting place to visit as I make my rounds throughout the community organizations. The personal care and concern expressed by the staff towards the students has been the first impression I received at this school and with these qualities evident; the school becomes a place both students and staff want to be every day. Keep up the good work staff because what you are doing will make our students lifelong learners. I can also see that the community has supported their school and lines of communication between the home and the school is well established. Based upon what I have observed already the school can only move forward. I hope to help them in any way I can and become a partner in the process of their continued growth.
On the personal side of my life; I have been married for the past 36 years and my wife Shirley and I have 3 grown children with 1 teaching in Alberta and the other 2 attending universities in Winnipeg and Saskatoon. My home is a small town in central part of Saskatchewan called Davidson where we have lived for the past 25 years. Both my wife and I come from a farming background so our house is filled with our pets and any poor old stray animal that needs a little bit of care and a home. I had tried retirement for a year when my youngest child graduated from High School, but soon found out that I was too young to consider that direction and I wanted to continue to play a part in education.
In closing, I would like to remind you that my door is always open to anyone who wants to come down to the office and enjoy a cup of coffee and talk. If things begin to slow down around the office; I hope to become more visible at more community events.
Bless you all, and I hope our year turns out to be an progressive and effective year for our students and parents.
Future generations to beneift from Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre
The Canadian Council on Learning celebrated the launch of its newly created Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre October 19th at the Wanuskewin Heritage Park in Saskatoon, SK. The Centre is an unprecedented force that directly involves Aboriginal Peoples in identifying ways to strengthen learning outcomes among First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples.
“Learning is the key to success in today’s knowledge-based society, yet nearly twice as many working-age Aboriginal as non-Aboriginal Canadians don’t have a high-school diploma,” said Dr. Paul Cappon, President of the Canadian Council on Learning. “This clearly illustrates the need to identify learning practices to support Aboriginal people in meeting their economic, social, political and cultural aspirations”.
The celebration featured examples of learning initiatives such as Nunavut Sivuniksavut (NS). NS is a unique eight-month college program based in Ottawa for Inuit youth. Students in
the NS program learn about Inuit history, organizations, land claims and other issues relevant to their future careers.
“Providing a forum and sharing knowledge about promising practices from across Canada and around the world will contribute to better learning outcomes for Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples” said Dr. Vivian Ayoungman, Executive Director of the Calgary-based First Nations Adult and Higher Education Consortium and co-lead of the knowledge centre.
Dr. Marie Battiste, Academic Director of the Aboriginal Education Research Centre at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon and co-lead of the knowledge centre, stated: “Our membership is deeply committed to identifying effective solutions to the many learning challenges First Nations, Métis and Inuit face.”
The Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre – with a growing membership of more than 50 organizations from across Canada – is one of five national centres of expertise established by the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL). The other centres are: Adult Learning (Atlantic Canada), Early Childhood Learning (Quebec), Health and Learning (British Columbia and Yukon), and Work and Learning (Ontario).
More young people finding a future in skilled trades
The Ontario government is on track to meet its target for apprenticeship growth, Chris Bentley, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities announced recently.
"People need fulfilling careers and Ontario needs a skilled workforce," Bentley said. "That's why the McGuinty government is helping more people gain access to apprenticeship training."
The government has committed to increasing the number of new apprenticeship registrations to 26,000 annually in 2007-08. Last year, there were 21,489 new apprenticeship registrations, exceeding our interim target for 2005-2006.
The number of new apprenticeship registrations received by the end of August 2006 puts the province on track to meet its target of 23,500 new registrations in 2006-07 and to meet our annual registration goal of 26,000 in 2007-08.
This year, the McGuinty government will invest more than $100 million in apprenticeship-related programming, including expanded support for the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program, the Co-op Diploma Apprenticeship Program and Job Connect.
"This demonstrates both our government's progress in supporting apprenticeship training and the recognition by more Ontarians of the value of a career in the skilled trades," added Bentley.
Apprenticeship serves more than 140 skilled trades in Ontario, giving people a wide choice of rewarding careers, including tool and die makers, mechanics and cooks.
"The residential construction industry is finding it hard to maintain a skilled labour force in the face of increasing retirements," said Victor Fiume, President of the Ontario Home Builders' Association. "We support the progress the government has made in reaching their apprenticeship enrolment goal. Ultimately it will help our provincial economy, our sector and the home buying public."
Going forward, the province's new integrated training and employment system will further support increased apprenticeship registrations. The new system will provide apprentices, employers and others with more efficient, streamlined access to apprenticeship programs.
Further opportunities will arise from the Labour Market Development an Labour Market Partnership Agreements, which Minister Bentley signed with th federal government in November 2005.
Increasing apprenticeship registrations is the latest way the McGuint government is working to provide opportunity for Ontarians. Other initiative include:
• Introducing legislation to keep students learning until at least age 18 or graduation
• Encouraging strong job creation, with 268,000 net new jobs since taking office
• Launched ReNew Ontario, a plan to invest more than $30 billion in the province's public infrastructure by 2010.