Mining, Health and Education

(June 2008)
The mining, health and education sectors offer the most likely career prospects for First Nations people in the foreseeable future.

Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation is working with a number of nearby mining companies to ensure their community members are trained and ready for employment with the mines. Chief Connie Gray-McKay lists mining equipment operators, prospectors, janitors, cooks and geologists as the most likely positions to be developed in the region.

The Wabun Tribal Council and Muskegowuk Council are looking at the mining sectors as potential employment areas for their members, especially in the skilled labour sectors such as electricians, plumbers, construction workers, heavy equipment mechanics and operators, pipe fitters and iron workers.

The Wabun Tribal Council is aware of an upcoming labour shortage in the health and education sectors as the baby-boom generation retires over the next five to 10 years. They list nursing staff, x-ray and other medical technicians, teaching staff, administration and finance staff, telehealth staff and IT technicians as being among those required in their region.

Mushkegowuk Council is aware of a current need for a wide variety of mine equipment operators and supervisors at an area mine, and lists education assistants, early childhood education staff, practical nursing assistants, teacher aides and administration assistant positions as being required in their region.

Shibogama First Nations Council lists teachers, early childhood educators, school counsellors, principals, education directors and other support staff including licenced bus drivers as being required in their region.

Windigo Education Authority lists teachers, classroom assistants, tutor escorts, school secretaries, social counsellors as being required in their region.

Matawa First Nations is aware of a need for people in the mining and resource industry, Internet technology, health, education, social services and business development sectors, and lists mining staff such as skilled labourers and cooks, IT technicians and telehealth technicians, health, education and social services staff, and business entrepreneurs as being required in their region.