Pearl Lorentzen
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council (KTC) members can take more online career and learning courses because of a new partnership.
“The KTC Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program has partnered with Capacity Partners to deliver a powerful new library of online courses to support clients on their learning and career journeys,” says Teena Richards, Loon River First Nation ISETP education coordinator in a written response to questions from The Leader. “At the heart of this initiative is a new Learning Management System (LMS)—a user-friendly platform that brings all training materials together in one convenient place. Learners can easily access courses, track their progress, and work with their ISET coordinator to map out personalized learning pathways.”
The LMS was built based on the needs identified by front-line workers from all five First Nations, adds Richards.
These courses are one of the successes that Richards mentions. Another is the KTC Annual Youth Symposium and Career Showcase.
Richard says, “The event is co-developed by the KTC Education Authority, KTC ISET Program and KTC Child & Family Services. We showcase all KTC and First Nations positions, highlight our successes and provide inspirational and motivational speakers for our youth.”
Other successes include connecting high school students with mentors on tribal council and nation members, an online entrepreneurial training program with Capacity Partners, and summer youth initiatives.
KTC runs the ISET Program for Loon River First Nation (Loon Lake), Woodland Cree First Nation (Cadotte Lake), Whitefish Lake First Nation 459 (Atikameg), Peerless Trout First Nation (Peerless Lake and Trout Lake), and Lubicon Lake Band (Little Buffalo). These communities are in Northern Alberta north of Lesser Slave Lake, between Slave Lake, High Prairie, Peace River, and Wabasca. Each community has an Employment Assistance Service Centre.
Richards lists the following challenges: “racism and discrimination, historical trauma, cultural barriers, poverty, inadequate housing, crowded living conditions, geographical isolation, cost of providing training in communities, under representation of Indigenous people in some industries and work places, retention challenges (lower income levels, cultural differences and lack of support), and transportation.”
Many of these challenges are connected to the small size and remoteness of the communities. This can be illustrated using Loon Lake as an example. The 2021 Canada Census estimates the population at 487. The closest community is Red Earth Creek (pop. 315) about 10 km east. The larger centres in the area are Slave Lake, Peace River, High Prairie, Slave Lake, and Wabasca. Loon Lake is 170 km north of Slave Lake, 233 km southwest of Wabasca, 161 km west of Peace River, and 180 km northwest of High Prairie.
Peerless Lake and Trout Lake are more remote than Loon Lake. Cadotte Lake and Little Buffalo are closer to Peace River. Atikameg is closer to High Prairie.
Richards says the employment counsellors help members in various ways, including to “plan out careers, access training, obtain and maintain employment, [and] provide support to entrepreneurs/ businesses and local employers. We also maintain up-to-date occupational information, industry trends and job listings.”
ISETP is a 10-year funding agreement between the Government of Canada and Indigenous partners, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.
ISETP has been known by many names over the years. From 1991 to 1996, it was Pathways to Success. This was changed to Regional Bilateral Agreements from 1996 to 1999. From 1999 to 2010, it was Aboriginal Human Resource Development Agreements (AHRDA). This was changed to Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) from 2010 to 2019. In 2019, it became ISETP, which is expected to continue until 2029.
Other First Nations in the Lesser Slave Lake region can access ISETP through Bigstone Cree Nation or Lesser Slave Lake Indian Regional Council, depending on which First Nation they are a member of. Ruperstland Institute provides ISETP funding for Métis people across Alberta.