THUNDER BAY — Chi Mino Ozhitoowin LP is a First Nation owned, for-profit organization with a focus on the construction of the Waasigan Transmission Line Project.
On Friday, a graduation was held at the Superior Inn, that celebrated the completion of two programs including administrative clerk and BZ school bus driver training.
“It's an added opportunity to what we do on Waasigan line and we think it's an important role as community members and we can help people generate different opportunities in the communities,” said Peter Collins, CEO of Chi Mino Ozhitoowin.
A total of 16 people graduated on Friday between the two programs – nine in the administrative clerk program and seven in the BZ school bus driver training.
“It's a great celebration for us and we continue to looking forward to future celebrations,” Collins said.
A lot of communities are currently struggling with administrative clerk support, he said.
“When we visit the communities, we listen to what their community members are saying to us and make sure that we can address all the needs and the responsibilities that we have to do on behalf of the community.
“They're good programs. They get create jobs in the communities,” Collins said.
No matter where you go, it’s a struggle to find bus drivers, he added.
Collins said the funding for these two programs came from the SDF program.
“We're also mindful that our partners have (been) instrumental in helping us get to where we are."
Collins said these programs will have a positive impact for the communities.
“I think that the people that come on these programs are looking for a career change or career opportunities and a meaningful opportunity to bring prosperity for themselves.”
Miranda Pelky graduated form the compressed program of administrative clerk.
“It was originally a 14-week program and our entire group successfully did it in seven weeks,” she said.
Pelky said it has been a great experience for her.
“I'm just really happy that I completed it, that I'm looking forward to potentially working in the field of receptionist work or office admin,” she said.
A change of scenery was what inspired Pelky to take the program. She said it felt empowering to finish with her group.
“You know what? I'm so proud of our group. We really did it as a group and that meant a lot to me to be able to be confident with all the women.
“It was all women in this program and we all had this really great dynamic together and this ability to work really well with each other, so I'm very happy. I'm really proud of them. I'm proud of myself. We did it,” she said.
Andrew Peters graduated form the BZ school bus driver training.
“Throughout the program, it's pretty challenging. I thought I wasn't going to make it, but I passed, I passed the whole course,” Peters said.
Peters said he passed his written exam and just has to complete some more licensing as well as a road test.
“The written test, I was pretty nervous, shaky, but I feel good now, I'm glad I finished it.”
The plan is for Peters to be a bus driver on his reserve.
“I'm trying to help the reserve because we have a bus there and we also have a 12-seater commercial vehicle van . . . I’m able to help out in the reserve, it'll be good for our reservation,” he said.
Peters hopes younger people will follow in his footsteps.
“I’ll be encouraging other younger people to take their BZ license.”
There are five programs coming out in May for Chi Mino Ozhitoowin, for more information visit the website.
