Marie-Josée Picard – Innu, Pessamit

Marie-Josée believes young people should learn about climate change issues early on so that they can consider a green career path. She works as an Environmental Technician. Nutshimit-Nippour Consulting provides a range of environmental services, including in forest sciences. Its team of forest engineers and technicians plans, manages, and monitors forest resources.

Marie-Josée’s story is included in A Guide to Green Jobs in Canada: Voices of Indigenous Professionals.

Download the guide

MARIE-JOSÉE’S LOVE OF NATURE COMES FROM…

“My family spent many weekends at our cottage. My parents would place me in an Innu hammock, and they would rock me gently while they went about their work. I remember looking at the sky through the tree branches, and I remember how happy I was. I would fall asleep right away, smiling. I also really enjoyed playing in the mud and the leaves. Come to think of it, I was probably creating my own science experiments.”

MARIE-JOSÉE CHOSE TO BE AN ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICIAN BECAUSE…

“I get to do office work and field work, the best of both worlds. I’m interested in many aspects of the environment. I’m currently working on some Indigenous consultation projects. I’m also busy validating field data. In the summer, I’ll be in the field collecting data and doing environmental monitoring. Our communities are going to be more and more affected by climate change.”

“Young people have to become aware of these issues early on, so they can maybe choose a green career path. In my community, I don’t think many of them are going in that direction. I hope that situation evolves. It’s important for the forest and conservation sector to support those who want to pursue green careers. Project Learning Tree Canada and SFI are setting a great example in that regard. It’s also important for us to continue to develop our own expertise. “

TO MARIE-JOSÉE, BEING INDIGENOUS IN A GREEN JOB  MEANS…

“I am very proud to be an Indigenous woman working for the environment. I’m happy to say I’ve found a workplace where I belong. For me, it means not being afraid to take your rightful place. It’s important for us to be present and active in different fields of work. Also, there is a lot of work to be done to increase environmental awareness in our communities and everywhere in the world.”