Indigenous Voices |
Indigenous Peoples are Canada’s original forest and conservation professionals, and today, they shape every facet of the sector.
The stories below profile both established Indigenous professionals in the forest and conservation sector and young people who have just begun their green career pathway. They’ve tried different jobs, studied at various levels, and had diverse experiences that have led them to where they are today.
The profiles of Indigenous professionals can also be found in PLT Canada’s A Guide to Green Jobs in Canada: Voices of Indigenous Professionals.
And the Voices of Indigenous Youth can be viewed on this map as well.
Alec Chickekoo – Mishkeegogamang First Nation
Alec Chickekoo Mishkeegogamang First Nation Participant, Outland Youth Employment Program Dream Job: Unsure Alec did tree planting, bush work, and construction, and he said the best part of his Green Job experience in 2021 was the type of work offered at the Outland Youth Employment Program. His advice for other youth is to focus on their work.
Emily Ottertail – Lac La Croix First Nation
Emily Ottertail Lac La Croix First Nation Crew Leader in Training, Outland Youth Employment Program Dream Job: Unsure As of 2021, Emily has spent four summers at the Outland Youth Employment Program (OYEP). In 2021, she was a Crew Leader in Training at the Mink Lake camp. She says she learns more every year. She is proud to represent her community and encourages other youth to apply to OYEP because it will positively impact them and their communities. Emily enjoyed…
Ben Beribe – Painted Feather Woodland Métis
Ben Beribe Painted Feather Woodland Métis Participant, Outland Youth Employment Program Dream Job: Geology Ben did general maintenance, production planting, and bush work in his Green Job in 2021, but the sense of community within his cohort is what made Ben’s experience enjoyable. In 2021, he was planning to apply to Lakehead University’s geology program. Ben advises other youth to take any opportunities they can.
Cayla Wesley – Constance Lake First Nation
Cayla Wesley Constance Lake First Nation Participant, Outland Youth Employment Program Dream Job: Architect or Sports Psychologist Cayla loved being surrounded by the environment when she was working in her Green Job in 2021 doing tree planting and bush work. In 2021, Cayla was in high school but planned to attend either university or college to study architecture or a sports psychology. Her advice for other youth is to be yourself and smile and laugh a lot.
Elias Sutherland – Gull Bay First Nation
Elias Sutherland Gull Bay First Nation Participant, Outland Youth Employment Program Dream Job: Rotary Pilot Elias loved spending time outdoors during his Green Job in 2021, and his days consisted of bush work, camp duties, and tree planting. In 2021, he planned to go to Confederation College after high school and aspired to be a rotary pilot. Elias shared these words of wisdom for other youth: “You never know unless you try. Life is determined by the choices you make,…
Page 8 of 20
